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Tweak says, "Putitonmeputitonmeputitonme!"

Dr John H. Watson (army_dr) wrote in refreshrpg,
@ 2015-04-09 17:36:00

Entry tags:

! log, 1998-april, x-character: hallam selwyn, x-character: marcelia selwyn, x-character: peter pettigrew

Who: Peter Pettigrew, Hallam and Marcelia Selwyn
What: Unbreakable Vows
Where: Selwyn's Manor home
When: Saturday, 4 April
Rating: TBD
Status: Ongoing

It was disguised as afternoon tea, but Peter knew better. The Selwyns didn't invite people like him over to their estate for light conversation. Considering the discussion he had with Hallam before, at Twillfit & Tattings, Peter had a pretty good idea what he was walking into. He was going to this tea with the same determination as a business meeting, or perhaps arranging for a funeral.

The house elf that answered the door told Peter he'd been expected and showed him to the drawing room.

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bankedinterest
2015-04-09 10:55 pm UTC (link)

This tea had, of course, not been Marcelia's idea. But Hallam was right, it was a situation that was worth being pre-emptive about, sitting back did nothing. She had never really met Peter Pettigrew, but she knew of him by reputation. And what a reputation it was. More than enough for her to despise the rat on principle. She didn't trust easily, and she didn't expect unquestionable loyalty from anyone but her husband, but there was a difference between that and dealing with someone who was a known traitor. There was no way to trust this man, and just dealing with him would usually be an unnecessary risk, but Hallam was good with people, and he was good with dealing with them so she'd trust his judgement on this one.

None of that disdain was evident on her face when Peter entered though. She stood up with a polite smile and offered her hand to him. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure, Mr. Pettigrew. Marcelia," she said, introducing herself to him.

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army_dr
2015-04-10 02:49 am UTC (link)

She was faking it. Peter knew she was faking it. All this politeness and smiles. Marcelia's facade was perfect, but how could it be nothing but fake? It was all a show, just like the Selwyns. Proper and genteel on the outside, but twisted Death Eaters, through and through.

Peter glanced down at Marcelia's extended hand, then up to her face with a blank expression, which suddenly turned into a smile that was just as convincing as it was false. It was his way of telling her that he saw right through her and could play their game, as well.

"Pleased to meet you, Marcelia. Hallam hasn't really brought you up during our usual interactions," that is to say, as a Death Eater Hallam usually kept his wife out of the conversation, "but I believe my mother has corresponded with you at Gringott's, regarding our Real Estate business.

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modusmutandis
2015-04-10 03:56 am UTC (link)

Fashionably late for his own tea meeting, as only a fashionable person could be. Hallam had been waiting with Marcelia for the arrival of Peter, but had been called off by an important owl that had to be tended to. Selwyn senior may have ran the store, but Hallam ran the critical points of merchandising the collection. Any issues ran through him before they hit the top rungs for his father to look over.

After delivering Peter to the drawing room where Marcelia was waiting, Bitsy, the house elf, informed Hallam of the arrival. Hallam sent out the return owl with quick instructions and then found his way back to his wife.

At any given time, Hallam was dressed with sophistication and elegance. His robes were of the finest fabrics, much like his wife, and had notes of metallics woven through to enhance the aesthetic value. His tall form took up the doorway that lead back into the dining room before he moved into the drawing room. "Good afternoon, Peter." Hallam's smile was cool, his eyes focused with an intent that could be anything. He held out his hand to shake Peter's hand, before kissing his wife on the cheeks.

"My apologies, but I had to attend to business. You know how childish designers can be when they're ideas are copies of past faux pas."

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bankedinterest
2015-04-10 04:06 am UTC (link)

Fake smiles all around, and everyone involved knew it. "Yes, she has, and the business seems to be doing well too. I'm glad of it." She didn't need to say more on that, it more than implied she'd seen the numbers, had access to those files, and it wouldn't be difficult to have the Pettigrew accounts shuffled to someone...less competent if she really wanted to.

Hallam had impeccable timing though, and entered at just the right moment to leave that hanging and move onto a new round of pleasantries. She put a hand on Hallam's arm and kissed her husband's cheeks back with a smile, the first genuine one of this whole meeting. "You didn't miss anything, love, Peter just arrived." She gestured to the seat across from them. "Please, have a seat."

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army_dr
2015-04-10 04:40 am UTC (link)

The just so ever suggestion of a thinly veiled threat caused the corner of Peter's smile to twitch as his hand momentarily balled into a fist. He reminded himself he was going through with this to protect his mother, their business, himself. Marcelia wouldn't be able to carry through on that threat, if it all worked out. But that didn't stop Peter from imagining himself pulling his wand on the both of these bastards. Perhaps if he were more skilled and braver, so Peter showed restraint and kept reminding himself why he was here.

He shook Hallam's hand greeted him warmly. "Oh yes, of course," he said chuckling, even though he had no experience whatsoever with childish designers and their bloody faux pas. "We all need to do what we must." In more ways than one. "Thank you." He took the offered seat.

"It's quite a nice place you have here," he remarked, blithely, glancing around. Peter was dressed in a decent enough set of robes, but comfortably, because he didn't see the need to put on any airs. Anything more would make him look out of place, as if he was trying too hard.

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modusmutandis
2015-04-17 10:24 pm UTC (link)

No one knew how or why Peter ended up in the Gryffindor house during their school years, most thought he would have made a better Slytherin with the way he had seemingly aimed for power. Hallam had noted the body language as he entered the room. The little man had no idea that Marcelia was the one to watch out for, not Hallam, and never try to do anything but a polite conversation if they were together. Hallam liked his women deadly and intelligent.

Having his daughter home for the holidays, and the odd sympathy Hallam had showed both towards the mudblood and the Order of the Phoenix professor, he had a less intimidating air to him. Though his eyes were no less piercing as he looked over Peter as he sat down. Peter was quite out of place amongst the lavish antiquity that surrounded them. The Selwyns were an old bloodline and much of the furtinture and items around the house reflected that.

"Thank you, it has been in the family for as long as anyone can remember." He remarked easily.

"Bitsy," he turned to the house elf, who rang its hands in worry. "Bring us fresh tea, and then send Kanby to take your place. I would like to know what Delilah is up to." The house elf apparated away, only for a new one to replace it a few minutes later. A silver tray with a fine silver tea set teetered on the twig like arms that held it.

"Anyway, I am leased you could make it. I wanted to touch base with you and see if you have come to a decision on my offer?" Hallam was being to the point, even as the house elf set out the tray and handed out the various teacups.

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bankedinterest
2015-04-18 05:37 am UTC (link)

How interesting, just a slight hint to remind Peter what she could do and he'd reacted so suddenly. Of course there were plenty of other ways to ruin him if she cared enough, and most didn't even involve her touching his files. But while she didn't like Peter on principle, she didn't care enough about him to bother ruining him right now. Unless he gave her a reason. And even that rage he was doing rather well at containing to a point, didn't put her off, she wasn't worried about him. This was their domain, their house, and she was quite sure that individually either she or Hallam could take this man in a duel. Together? She didn't see how the rat had a chance. Even if he managed to surprise one of them with the first shot it'd just bring the rage of the other crashing down on him.

Marcelia settled back into her seat, everything about her body language indicated that she was both comfortable and in control. This was her home after all, and it was they who were setting the tone and pace of this meeting.

She sipped her tea, staring over at Peter with a similarly piercing gaze, curious to how he'd respond to the offer. Of course she knew what this was all about, that was why she'd dropped the reminder of what sort of threat they could be.

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army_dr
2015-04-19 05:05 pm UTC (link)

You don't give me that much of a choice, Peter thought, meeting Marcelia's gaze with one of his own. If, on some later time, he could get his revenge against these two by bringing them to justice, it would be a delight. However, this was not that day.

Turning his attention to Hallam, he said, "I am interested n making the Vow, if you are in agreement with the stipulations that I've made."

In the realty business, contracts were drawn all the time - Peter wanted to make sure he was covered.

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modusmutandis
2015-04-21 04:46 pm UTC (link)

"I believe they are fair stipulations. I do not wish to see you or your family harmed if you are keeping secrets for us." Hallam sipped his tea, setting it down almost immediately with a disappointed look toward the house elf. It coward under his short gaze and rushed away with Hallam's cup.

Smiling at Marcelia, he nodded to her. There were no secrets in their relationship, nothing was kept frorm the other no matter what the event was, and it made for a very healthy relationship and connection of power that Hallam saw as being unmatched by any. "Shall we then? Or would you prefer to finish tea first?"

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	bankedinterest 2015-04-21 05:04 pm UTC (link)
	Marcelia smiled back and slowly put her cup down. "Tea can wait, I don't see anything preventing us from starting now." There could be fun to be had in having Peter wait and squirm, but she didn't like having him in the house and really would rather get this over with. Tea would be much more pleasant if it were just her and Hallam. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	army_dr 2015-04-21 05:14 pm UTC (link)
	"I agree with her," Peter replied, his face fixed with determination. While he appreciated Hallam's invitation on one level, Peter knew the facts - he was not one of them, he would never be one of them, and this Vow would hopefully ensure that he'd never have to deal with these horrible people ever again. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	modusmutandis 2015-04-22 04:02 pm UTC (link)
	"Fine." He gestured to Marcelia again. "If you would, love." Hallam then looked over to Peter. A touch of amusement on his lips, he signaled to the ground where they would knee for the casting. "Shall we?" Hallam was not one to kneel first. He waited until Peter was in position before he would join him. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bankedinterest 2015-04-22 04:19 pm UTC (link)
	"Of course, darling." Marcelia got to her feet, smoothing out her robes and walking over to the spot where it'd take place, positioning herself about where the men's hands would meet for the vow. She took her wand out, her hands now almost casually folded in front of her with it in her hand, and raised an eyebrow at Peter with an expectant 'well?' look. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

army_dr
2015-04-22 04:29 pm UTC (link)

Peter didn't even look at Marcelia as he went over. Hallam might've been too proud to kneel first, but Peter wanted to get this finished with as quickly as possible. Both of them were despicable people anyway, so their opinions of him didn't matter. He might be a traitor, but they were as much rats as he. The only difference was external.

He knelt in front of Hallam and held out his hand for the other man to grasp.

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modusmutandis
2015-04-22 04:59 pm UTC (link)

The irony of the Selwyns and their situation was that they were better people than anyone would believe. Selfishness and pride gave them an odd compassion toward their enemies. Beneath that few could compare in the amount of true love they held in their hearts toward each other. The world could burn as long as they had each other. Hallam could be evil; if anyone knew of how he treated Delilah on a normal basis they would see that.

Hallam took his place. Even knelt on the floor, he had height on the smaller man. Hallam was as much torso as he was legs. His hand took Peter's, connecting them with their magic as well as the Bonder's. Blue eyes glittered with the seriousness of the ritual.

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bankedinterest
2015-04-22 05:22 pm UTC (link)

Once they were kneeling in front of her, Marcelia held out her wand, placing the tip onto their clasped hands. It glowed slightly and illuminated their hands as the spell waited for them to dictate their terms so it could wind its way around them both. She looked down at the rat kneeling before her, a part of her thinking that this was a position he belonged in, and gave him a pointed look. "Mr. Pettigrew?" Naturally he'd be expected to go first, the Selwyns didn't like surprises.

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