#( thread:emmeline. )

[xantoninxdolohovx]

Who: @fcrox (Emmeline) Where: Malfoy x Black Wedding Reception Antonin came up beside the woman a few drinks floating behind him. "Miss Vance I presume? May I offer you a drink, feel free to take several, I know I have." He smiled, something less off putting than the smirking grin he usually wore. "I've heard good things between what makes its way around the ministry and the recommendation of Rabastan Lestrange. I trust no other were his direct words. Do you have any experience with direct curses I wonder or only breaking them on objects or others, such a difference, though old spells can grow powerful over they years, I'm sure you have some interesting tales."

[ssnap]

He was about to close the shop up - literally on his feet to go flip the sign on the door - when the bell jingled. Blasted thing, he had put up a good fight to not include it but had been outnumbered, even in his small circle of friends. He sat back down with a small sigh, leaning his chin on his hand as the other tapped an impatient rhythm on the counter. But then Emmeline came around the corner and his shoulders relaxed once more. “Flip the sign before anyone can follow you in, will you?” He called softly, before slumping forward completely and laying his head on his arms where they were crossed on the counter with a small groan. “Remind me why I wanted my own shop again?” The muffled question came from beneath the folds of his cloak as he heard her footsteps return.

@amissavis

[xantoninxdolohovx]

He laughed at the thought.  “Who doesn’t want to be considered?  Though I’m not the type to try and occupy the mind of every witch and wizard that I come across, or am trying less to be.  It’s the appropriate amount of mention that suits me.” He sipped at his drink before continuing to let his stream of consciousness drip out of his mouth, she had asked after all and it wasn’t many who did, or at the very least wasn’t enough in his opinion. “I think people who have to try to remain mysterious are usually shallow or have a fear of being it, it’s something unnecessary, but sometimes captivating though it can be taught it’s more difficult to hold than the real thing because you must fight yourself, speak in words that mean nothing or do things just because the might be mysterious and if it’s an unnatural predilection then it risks coming off as capricious, or worse a choice made by many who attempt to keep mystery to the point of being trite.  Though actions like this are useful to observe, and often more telling than the natural actions of people.  You can see what people desire in the way that they act.  Actions speak of history the same as reactions, reading details is important.  What details and hobbies will you reveal, that is what I am thinking of and of what interest will it be.” He raised his drink to her letting it dribble instead of his thoughts as he tried to read her face, was it a proper answer to the question, technically and in the spirit, it wouldn’t do to give up a verbal duel if it was issued as a challenge, but there still had be be a bit of truth and a bit of fun to it or what was the point, and he was her guest after all.

Emmeline listened to the man’s words, amusement within her eyes yet not quite sure what he was getting at. Antonin was among the people the brunette had yet to fully figure out. Some others she had simply gotten used to never solving. Perhaps it was good to have some people remain a mystery. It kept her on her toes, ever charging, never daring to pause around them. There was fun in that, of course. “A treasured hobby of mine?” She chuckled. “Is that what you wish to become? How ever would take work?” The thought was odd, for sure. No one she’d ever met had considered themselves a hobby.

“For now, you are simply a guest. If that is not sufficient, perhaps give away whatever it is that is floating around your mind?” Would he for once become a person of explanation rather than a riddle on two legs? She could only wonder. But when it came to Emmeline the witch was bolder than most expected. Somehow who walked the shadows was hardly ever a mouse ready to hide. No, instead she moved from her seat, past him as she let her hand ghost over his shoulder. “I wonder if you yourself know the answer to that.”

It was a challenge. If he could do that, why not her? A witch just as capable and equally amused through such methods of conversation. “I simply do what I feel like. I have always been that way.” And finally, her own limitations had been lifted, replaced entirely with a freedom the witch knew not yet what to do with. Her eyes focused on the alley outside the window, observing as people moved below. - @xantoninxdolohovx

[littlxtalks]

@writtenlegacy LIKED for a starter / EMMELINE OF ANDALASIA

She should really learn how to draw proper maps. That was Emmeline’s first thought as she stood up, water and a very light coat of mud dripping from the front of her dress - the direct result of her taking a bad turn into a shallow pond while trying to get back to school. Something that of course wouldn’t have happened if she knew how to draw a relatively accurate map, very unlike the one in her notebook. She scrunches up her nose a little while looking at it, wondering if it would be wise to even try to keep following it. Probably not.

She heaves a long, defeated sigh as she tries to walk back to firmer ground, trying to think back to the road she’d taken while going exploring. She can’t really recall this particular pond, but would that mean she didn’t see or that she’s already lost? However, before she can give in to either anger or desperation, she catches a glimpse of someone else walking not too far ahead, a sight which is enough to make the princess perk up.

Not even minding her dirty clothes, Emmeline tries rushing towards the other person, her hand already in her bag trying to fish for her notebook. From there, she rips off the unfaithful map and, adding a couple more paper sheets, she attempts a big enough paper ball that she throws at her possible savior in an attempt to call their attention.

[ssnap]

He relaxed at the voice - recognizing it immediately as Emmeline, and breathing a sigh of relief. She was one of the only reasons he had even agreed to come to the thing - although, he would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little interested in the festival itself. Not for the drinks and the paint, but for the flowers. Night blooming flowers were his favorite, a hidden sort of beauty you had to know them to see. "What gave me away?" He deadpanned, turning to her with a raised brow. He stood out like a sore thumb - everything and everyone glowed bright enough to light the place up like daytime. And there he was, in all black.

"You look perfectly appropriate." He nodded once, not letting his eyes drift over her frame for too long - it was indecent. Honestly, she looked better than most here, glowing but still classy in a way that he thought only Emmeline could. He glared at her at her next words, but was certain she knew he wasn't actually angry. "We will do no such thing, I assure you."

who: @ssnapwhere: near the entrance when: early evening event: firefly festival

Festivals like this were far and few between. That was to say festivals Emmeline Vance found herself actually wanting to attend. Something about the fact that it was about lights and flowers had piqued her interest, finding so much more of an interest factor within the petals and glow than among the people crowding the festival area. It was made even nicer by the company of friends; the very few she trusted. It had been far from hard to spot Severus among the other people attending the mix of lights and floral designs. “There you are. I’ll be honest, this doesn’t entirely seem like your crowd.” Words spoken; a nice tone attached to indicate she meant well.

Emmeline allowed her eyes the scan the crowd once more, before drifting across the decorations back to her friend. “Alright, now be honest. Does this look okay? Could have sworn the info parchment spoke of appropriate dress.” Not that she cared, truly. A part of her wanted to have this; one night where nothing else outside that one day mattered. Perhaps it was a break she truly yearned for instead of time spent with her ever increasingly worry-filled thoughts. “We may have to get you a flower or something that glows.” She had a smile on her lips. “Something.”

[s-sn4ps]

Severus was caught up grading papers - something he’d usually be done with by now but Dumbledore had put him on detention the night before and the second years were incredibly slow at scraping out the bottoms of the cauldrons. Or, perhaps, he had saved the particularly nasty ones for them…. who was to know? Still, he had just pulled his last stack toward him as the door opened.

He couldn’t stop the rare, small smile that touched his lips as he heard Emmeline’s voice - not that he tried to. Hers was some of the only company that was truly appreciated, even - dare he say it - enjoyed. “That is fine by me.” Severus agreed coolly, glancing up at her and sighing as he relaxed slightly. He spared a second look at the stack of papers, before deciding they could wait. How hard would it be to write a D on top of all of them, after all? 

“That makes two of us.” He chuckled once, shaking his head as he stood and stretched lightly. Not once when he had been young, had ‘professor’ been on his ‘what you want to be when you grow up’ list. Severus titled his head in curiosity at her words, raising an eyebrow. “Oh?” He asked, trying not to focus too much on the part where she’d said he looked good. “And what did you have pictured for me, then?”

who: @s-sn4ps where: Hogwarts, Office of Severus Snape

If there was something Emmeline Vance would have put on the list of things she'd have paid galleons for to be able to avoid for the rest of her life, walking the halls of Hogwarts certainly would have been among them. The idea of finding herself in the office of a professor on top of that just seemed too bizarre. Add to that the factor that it was in fact someone she considered a friend, things became all together far too weird.

"I'll have you know, next time I'm avoiding the school." Perhaps it had to do with the fact that among the students, within the halls there was no option to slip in the shadows the way she normally did. Back at school, dressed in the uniform all others had shared and the time after graduation, shadows had seemed like yet another companion of the former Slytherin. Things changed when no matter the dress code one stuck out far more than one was comfortable with.

The witch removed her scarf as she stood and observed the other. "I'll be honest, I don't think this," she paused, gesturing toward the office, "is ever going to be something I'll get used to. Honestly. It does look good on you, but it's rather far from where I'd pictured you." Truthfully, Emmeline wasn't sure where she'd have seen Severus had one actually asked her. This just wasn't it.

[siriblk]

Sirius felt bad, but he still couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. Or stop the hearty laugh that escaped him at her words. “A troll?” He asked, slightly bewildered. It wasn’t the first time he’d been called a troll, truth be told, but it was the first time it was in reference to his height. “I hope I’m not as ugly as one, too.” He teased as he shook his head playfully. He glanced up at her mention of the clouds, squinting slightly even as he brought his gaze back down to meet hers once more. Get himself in trouble? Sirius? No, that never happened.  “I appreciate the benefit of the doubt, Vance. But that one day has come and gone many moons ago.” He smirked, sure she would not be surprised. 

A small sigh escaped him at her question and he glanced around - he had no idea, truthfully. “That’s a good question, innit?” He laughed, shrugging. “I tend to wander. Should probably find ‘em, now that you mention it, though. Have you seen them?”

It was a good day. The sun was warm on his arms, exposed by the Harpies jersey he'd ripped the sleeves off of, his enchanted mug kept the butterbeer cool, and his spirits flew as high as the quaffle. This was the type of thing Sirius thrived off of - the type of thing he lived for. Especially now that they were free. He couldn't help but laugh, his smile wide and unfaltering. 

He took a sip of his drink, tilting his head back to get the last drop, and bumped into someone. “Oh!” He stumbled a little. “Sorry, darlin’.” He started, before even seeing who it was. He put his hands out in an attempt to help. “Didn't see you there.”

[xantoninxdolohovx]

Antonin took the drink and then the seat.  “You would be surprised how many in polite society seem to be, perhaps some years on a farm would do them good, dirty those dainty hands with some hard work.”  He silenced himself with a drink.  Not his first choice but acceptable for a surprise visit.  His palate was long spoiled for drink though hanging around the upper crust it’s one thing they did properly lush about. “Ah yes the inner sanctum pales in comparison to the palace of the mind I’m sure, that’s why you’re such hot commodities after all you and young Rabastan is it not, your beautiful minds.  I wonder if I’ve crossed the threshold am I to become a treasured hobby as well?” He let the words hang.  Half of his questions he wasn’t sure whether he wanted answered or were just something to be had between people to disarm and probe, that was the point of conversation most times wasn’t it, find common ground, set someone to talking about themselves and only when they were feeling comfortable ask the important more pertinent things.

A flood of questions thrown her way that did nothing but cause her to shrug and glance at him over her shoulder. “The inner workings? No, Dolohov. Those are up here.” A finger pointed toward her head. If anything, Emmeline was a firm believer that the mind of any individual was the most valuable item they could call their own. All the riches, all the power in the world was nothing if one did not know how to make use of any of it.

“But if you mean the inner sanctum that I call my home, yes. You will get to see that.” The brunette chuckled. For a wizard so assured of himself he did have odd moments. “It is rather easy to leave work downstairs. Anything that crosses that threshold,” Once again her finger pointed toward something, the part that marked the door. “Is considered a hobby of mine only. Something I treasure.” The witch stepped into the flat and out of the way to let him in. “I am not doing any of this for the money. I think Rabastan and I have that in common. We simply appreciate the dark arts.” There was respect for something so deadly yet beautiful. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that Emmeline Vance felt drawn to it, always had.

A flick of her wand and glasses began floating over toward the coffee table, a decanter following swiftly. “I may have spent most of my life believing to have been below all of this but I wasn’t raised in a barn. Would you like to sit?” There was pride there, hidden within her smirk. Free at last. No longer a silly half-blood. Whatever that would mean. - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

“There are different kinds of darkness.  Keeping to the shadows and doing things that need to be hidden, that others would at best say are taboo or best left to others. One is a thing you take to, the other is a thing that takes you, draws you in, things you do can be colored by it, molded by it if you let it take control.  I’m not sure which is worse, trying to fight it or giving into it from time to time, but so far I have made it serve me in one way or another.  Sometimes work is dark so it can help to be darker than the work you undertake.” There was a moment he let himself exude an air of gloom, but his expression quickly changed.  This was a wedding after all and he was dancing, it wouldn’t do to brood so openly it was self indulgent, and not in the way society overlooked public weakness was a thing to be pounced upon or gossiped about in secret.  Perhaps that was another reason that he preferred to wear a mask for things like these, not that he usually was brought to overtures of emotion even now it was more his own thoughts than the wedding itself or even the encounter.  So he smiled and twirled. “I’m glad to hold your interest though, I apologize if it’s rude of me to speak my mind on such topics. You seem undeterred by the topic though.  It is rare to find someone who indulges or shares my philosophies. Though I think punishing those who hurt you or your loved ones isn’t particularly dark unless you do it in a way that makes it so. Justice and revenge who is to say where the line should be drawn, and it only blurs the worse the affront.  Accounts need to be balanced lest they weigh on the soul, or at least that is my opinion.  Unburdening yourself to those you can trust and those who deserve it whether it is a kind conversation or violence that needs to be visited. Direct relationships are the most easily maintained.  Control the violence if you need to be sure of it.  Can’t be killing everyone who looks at you wrong, but I don’t suffer threats or slights whether against me or those in my company.” He let his words set as the dance came to a close.  “This has been stimulating conversation and dance, but I think I would be accused of monopolizing you if I took up too much of your time, or make you sick of me and we can’t have either of those.  Don’t worry, I won’t forget you, or your promise to let me examine your scars fully Miss Vance.” He escorted her to the side of the dancefloor with a flourish.  Bringing up her scarred hand and kissing it to bring a pleasant close to the promised dances.

Each step, all her life, through the shadows and the darkness had been lit by a path of shadowy glow. Never once had she seen either side of it as the better one, instead having found her own way of seeing the light within the dark and the darkness in turn to enhance whatever light there’d been. Each step, the same pattern. Her head tilted to the side, she smirked at the other. Antonin Dolohov was quite the refreshing being among those present at the wedding. In fact, part of her had almost forgotten that it was a wedding. As far as distraction went, this one was proving to be up to the task more than most had. “Am I trying to?” The chuckle flowed so lightly. “No, I’m not trying. I simply do. Or am I mistaken that my reading thus far has been rather successful?”

Perhaps she had the wrong impression. Or perhaps she simply saw things a little bit different. Emmeline glanced around the room. “I think reading people is simply something I’ve come to see as the most normal thing.” Society had made sure no step was taken without her having assured the outcome as one that neither disturbed them nor messed with her own path; the one to walk the shadows had to be smooth to go by unnoticed. “That’s what I do. Always have. Helps me get by.” There was a reason as to why the brunette had come to be friends with those, she called her friends, why she was seen as loyal as she was. Because she knew how to be herself while fitting in so seamlessly.

If his questions or his tale were meant to scare her it had quite the opposite effect. “Darkness does not scare me. I find it...,” a pause, almost soft to the world. “I find it comforting. Those who walk the light too much will never know what to do when they fall into the one thing that allows light to exist. They do not function without the other.” For a moment her eyes met his before drifting off into seemingly nowhere, her thoughts running wild. Such topics, so very heavy and yet so very familiar. Had she ever taken a life? No, but she’d come close. Emmeline knew that if the chance was given and the need there, she would and only Merlin knew what that would unleash. “I have yet to poke the beast. Who knows what’ll happen once I unleash it.” It was the honest truth. Emmeline found herself in the company of Alecto Carrow, aware of her darkness. And Rabastan, another person who shared her love for the dark arts. There was more than met the eye when it came to the Vance witch.

Another twirl, her eyes dancing across the lights surrounding the dance floor. Here in the crowd, there was plenty of light and yet it was all the dimmer for it in the middle. “The offense you wonder of it would take someone hurting those I care about for me to seek the pain the deserve.” There it was, the beast that had yet to be poked. “You’d be surprised.” Or perhaps he wouldn’t. “The company I keep may not hide in the shadows, but their darkness is ever present, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” In fact, Emmeline felt pride thinking of those she considered herself loyal to. "Your curiosity is intriguing." - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

Her words gave him pause, the way she so easily mimicked him in thoughts as well as movement.  He needed to know how deep it went.  Would she follow if he lead her deeper into the shadows instead of into the light as he had promised.  Being able to turn on a head was important, whether mingling at a wedding or anything else worthy of his attention. “Miss Vance, are you trying to read me I wonder?” The words were hollow of course she was, but it was something that needed to be said a bit of banter to disarm before getting more serious, light to the dark. “The tale changes nothing in itself, it is mine to own. It isn’t my darkness that I worry about, it has the worth I give it if nothing else it is part of what made me, there is no changing that. I worry that no one will desire me once they know the depths of my character. Some things are more black and white needful, or popular, but some things seethe and grow in the dark worse for being known.  Have you ever taken a life purposefully and without reason beyond every breath of the one having them offended you?” He kept dancing this time, seeing how his words might shake her, another game where there was no winner or loser, just the thrill of back and forth. “It is one thing to say you desire darkness, to travel in it, brood in the shroud of self pity and loathing, but another to turn that outwards. A needless and dangerous path, another reason I am not eager to bring others to walk it.  Especially those more interesting walking a path of their own.” He kept his moves proficient, his expression blank almost observational as close as he could get to unreadable, but there was something to the eyes, the way he held her hand a bit too tightly as if he was waiting for her to run from the dance floor, the slight smirk as he delighted in being proven right or wrong.  This was an interesting encounter and they hadn’t even had their duel. “Tell me, who else have you known to have such shadows, if you still care to talk.”  He wondered if she would continue to see him or balk at the talk of pain and murder, callous taking of life, most did or became something different altogether, alluring in its own way but different.

Emmeline was nothing if not an observer of details. No matter what, there was usually something to be found within everything. The world they lived in held so many, the layers so intricate it was astonishing sometimes. Even to her. Eyes on the one in front of her she allowed the hint of a smirk to reach her eyes, a clear sign of interest regarding what Antonin Dolohov had to say. One could never know when the words from another being would matter, easily lost in the memory over time.

"Are you worried someone may not think your darkness worth the attention?" Her head tilted to the side, angled as she looked at him before her attention was drawn away by a point in the distance somewhere over his shoulder. For a moment her own thoughts took over. Perhaps it was the intricate understanding Emmeline held for someone struggling with the idea of said darkness being worthy of anything. Did she not lack worth in many ways herself? At the very least she felt that way. The witch's eyes returned to where they'd been before, focused on him. "You never know. I find myself curious about those who walk the shadows. That is all."

The moment she found herself in front of him once more, the turn so smooth, she couldn't help but listen. If anything the tale proved itself to be rather of the interesting nature, capturing. His story held both sadness and a certain darkness she very much understood. Had her journey been as dark? Perhaps not, but then at the very same time had she not walked her life trying to work harder and harder to prove herself worthy of being around people who were her better? Emmeline couldn't deny that she felt at the very least like that path had held its own form of darkness. Her father's expectations, despite how much she cared, had harsh and at times challenging to live up to. "Why would that tale change anything? I appreciate it being shared, but it hardly changes my view on you, Mr Dolohov." - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

He focused on the dance, not only because it was easy to get lost in the motion in the eager eyes of his partner, but it felt good to be the subject of her curiosity to let her simmer while he considered which tale or facet of himself to show. "I think everyone wants to be dragged into the light or know that someone cares enough to endure their darkness. I am no exception." Another dance started, a new pattern. "Are you trying to say you might do the same for me.  I didn’t know you cared Miss Vance." His tone was slightly mocking, but his smile was genuine. “I find that it is as much about the process about the colors unless you find something truly interesting or repugnant.  I’ll let you decide which your own colors might be.” Twirls were standard for a reason they looked good in a group if people were in sync, that was part of the challenge of dancing in places like this. “I suppose I should start my tale. What do you know of wandless magic?  A bit of a forgotten art, most duelists, witch or wizard, depend on their words and wands.  I do as well or it pays to seem to.  From the age of 12, my father would make me train in silence.  Same chores, moving rocks, cleaning the manor til it was spotless, dealing with the pets who guarded the perimeter while unable to give them verbal commands. Simple spells came first.  To unlock doors or hide myself make things float so they were easier to move when I could use magic at all.  When I did well enough my reward was wandless duels. I could use my words if I won, if not it was more of the same or wordless and wandless, it kept my mind and body strong if nothing else.”  He didn’t say more but squeezed her hand. Forcing himself to smile once he was done. “So, do you still want to see my colors, drag my darkness to light?”

There was something charming about his words, about the way he was encouraging her to let go of the humilty. The witch would have been lying had she not noted a boost of the confidence she usually carried within. Very few got to see said confidence as radiant as some of those closest to her had. "You've got yourself a deal. No matter the outcome, i'll teach you some of those tricks you speak of." Never daring to look away she did take another sip of her drink before letting the glass float away.

Before long she found herself on the dance floor. "I would happily hear one of your tales. No doubt they're equally as fascinating." Emmeline allowed herself to follow the steps, effortlessly gliding along. The dance lessons always had been some of the preferred sets of study, perhaps a bit more than they should have been. Emmeline Vance was a creature of movement, never standing still and whether it was the shadows she moved through or a broom soaring through the sky or like this, a dance floor filled with people; the witch knew to impress enough not to cause an uproar.

The brunette chuckled at his words, impressed at his reading capabilities. "For what it is worth, I have not." A smile that made its way to take hold of her features. Shadows, they had indeed been her companion for most of her life. "Is that the goal, to drag me into the light to see what colors you will find when said light hits?" Perhaps there was too much darkness at the end of the day. Who could tell? "What about your colors? There is more than the charming exterior, isn't there? The wizard in search of perfection, each step a calculated risk?" Curiosity dancing in her eyes she took another step, turning where the dance demanding it before her face was scanning his once more. - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

Antonin nodded and entered, making use of the given invitation.  Deciding that was the better course of action than disarming her after saying he wouldn’t.  Testing her readiness or some such thing.  He smiled at the idea of bringing back that tradition with Rodolphus, but it hadn’t ended so well in school with more than disarming spells being tossed about.  Having to crawl to class with Wobbling legs and missing bones seemed like the height of humor until it was you on the wrong end of it. “Ah I get to see the inner workings?  I wonder is it hard not to take work home with you living in your shop. I think it would be difficult not to conflate hobbies with working overtime with your particular job and interests.” He took the chance to look around the shop, see if anything caught his eye more than the woman herself.  He wasn’t a specialist like her or Rabastan, but her personal curse still intrigued him enough to have accepted her invitation. “Are you set up to entertain?  I find drinks make conversation flow smoother, but it’s often considered impolite to bring your own against some outdated sense of society I assume.” He motioned for her to lead the way further. “Working on anything interesting? I would hate to be taking your time from a project.”

Emmeline’s eyes lit up, the challenge more than understood. “Oh?” The witch placed the quill back in its place. “And what makes you think I’m not ready? Have you forgotten the world we live in?” It was, in a most delicious way a dangerous dance of those who would rise to the task and those doomed to fail and drown within their shattered dreams and a reality they did not wish to see. Her mouth moved slightly, the hints of a smirk if hidden beneath a well-placed shadow of secrecy. Despite however much Antonin Dolohov seemed to fascinate, it did not give way to simply discard her usual habit of keeping to herself; to let read only what needed to be read.

Her eyes followed his movement, brows arching up before a chuckle indicated a lack of tension within the brunette. Things were certainly interesting. Dolohov seemed to move with ease, admiration from the former Slytherin to be guaranteed. “I believe you know the answer to at least a part of that question.” When had they ever had a chance for a formal duel when out causing havoc?

“So, if you’re not here for the duel, then just what are you here for?” Nothing about her voice indicated even the slightest hint of accusation. Curiosity was shining through each syllable, yet the words were steady. “Rabastan isn’t in right now and if it is a conversation, you want you hardly need to be standing a shop for that, now, do you?”

Emmeline’s hand reached out, pointing toward the stairs leading up to her actual flat right above the shop. “Consider it an invitation, if you will.” - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

“A duel is never asked, only given and accepted or rejected.. It is part of the challenge, the dance, Each response meaning something  but I doubt you are always ready, so I think blasting my way into your place of business and disarming you might be ill received.  That said, I reserve the right after giving you the courtesy of this warning.” He smiled letting the silence linger, moving a hand in his pocket as he stretched out the moment almost unsure if he would draw on her himself.  Ultimately he took his hand out without a wand, though he was never too far from being armed. Whether it was a gesture of amiability or intimidation was left ambiguous as he walked inside. “You have a nice shop.”  He looked around the place. Something about it was interesting similar to the woman, you could tell much about a person from the things they kept the appearance they tried to give off. “Do you prefer more formal or informal duels. I have done both of course things closer to fights, sparring and challenges, though honor and rules can muddy a duel make it more interesting or boring, not that a duel with you would be, but the understanding of theory is important of for no other reason than turning it on its head.” He turned back to her as he posed the question as if waiting for a response or some kind of reaction to his entering her home.

who:@xantoninxdolohovx when: late afernoon where: the shop in Knockturn Alley

The conversation that day at the wedding had not been one the witch would forget. How rarely did she get to sit down and share something so filled with twisted darkness yet an almost bright curiosity? Emmeline had found it invigorating and equally motivating. Was it not a good thing to find oneself in the company of that guarded their secrets as much as she had? Then, of course, there was the matter of the duel the brunette had promised. And asked for all the time. Emmeline Vance was someone who loved the challenge, appreciated being able to push herself and those around her to do better, to be better. Why would Antonin Dolohov be exempt from that rule?

A doorbell’s ringing caused her to look up from the ledger in front of her. It was a grey afternoon, with clouds so thick they made the shop look almost dark. Not that the witch minded. A couple of candles and the whole place held the same comfort it always had; at least to her. “Have you come for you duel?” Curious eyes scanned the figure by the door, head moving to the side as though that position could offer her an option to study him better. “I was almost wondering if you’d still ask.” Or was there another reason for the wizard’s presence that day?

[xantoninxdolohovx]

“No, though I’ll be honest, I would like to ask you for a dance, perhaps share a conversation.  More cooperative showings of skill. I would like to see you duel sometime, but not here, it would be a bit taboo.”  He looked at her as he said the word.  “Also i think it would be folly to challenge a witch who relies on curses to a duel, not that I don’t have a few of my own, but nothing to be used on so pleasant of company or eager of a duelist.  There are worse things than losing, and I think cutting either of our careers short with something that couldn’t be undone would be one of them.  That said.”  His eyes moved from hers only as he took in her hand, taking the offering of it as an invitation he ran his fingers along where the magic had warped her skin stopping where it stopped up her arm before moving back. “Perhaps if you would indulge me, I’m curious about the story and curse attached to your beautiful scar? I can tell you are of comparable skill deserving respect, so it must have been an experience. Is it painful?”  He asked, but didn’t relent in his appreciation of her or the scar moving her hand and arm to get a full look only letting her hand go when he was satisfied, and giving her his full attention as he waited for the story or at least her response.

Antonin's words held a meaning the witch couldn't deny. Curses held power, a horrid determination that came with each spark of magic and each syllable uttered. Curses were equally the only magic that got stronger the more intend was behind those words. "Even curse-breakers aren't free of the dark side of things." Emmeline held up her hand, the vine like scar that covered her inner hand, going up her arm just a little very much proof that she was aware of what a curse or dark magic backfiring could feel and look like. "I rather prefer to treat things with respect. A fascination is never wrong, being aware of the dangers important. A certain fluency in curses seems rather necessary for this line of work."

Emmeline had learned early on how to handle, treat and respect curses and dueling skills almost seemed to flow into that. Perhaps it was a need to be in control, to hold the power and pave the path she wished to walk. "Perfect, the one unattainable thing. I'll keep trying." In that regard they seemed to be on the same wavelength.

"Sometimes the simpler things might just be the path to victory. Or whatever it is the person in question wishes to achieve." The brunette raised her glass, a delicate sip taken. "You haven't come to ask me to duel, have you? Not that I would say no, although a wedding hardly seems appropriate for these things." There was a time and place for everything so instead she let her eyes burn with the curiosity she felt inside; the desire to know. - @xantoninxdolohovx

[xantoninxdolohovx]

"Good, I find people who know how to handle live magic are more trustworthy, Emmeline." He took a seat across from her as he reached to grab the other drink taking a long sip. “Curses can be interestingly horrible things permanent or debilitating or both, you can never know enough curse breakers. I’m glad to have made a good first impression.” “Perfection? It seems like I’m not the only one who knows how to give a compliment. Yes that is what I strive for, any edge, though it pays to know which ones to use where, not every duel is equal or deserving of the effort or consequences of some spells.  I would never throw a duel though, but I am not perfect, at least not yet.  Learn enough that teaching comes easy, but never stop learning, at least that’s my current strategy.” He gave a shrug. “Never overestimate yourself or underestimate your opponent. Most of my advice would come off as common sense, but you would be surprised how many people seem to lack it or ignore simple steps on the road to perfection.”

It was a welcome change of pace to see Dolohov pop up out of nowhere, the offer of drinks anything but unwelcome. Her hands reached out to grab one of them, leaning onto the table to allow herself a sip while granting the other he full attention. "It is a good start, I'll give you that." That, and the fact that seemingly Rabastan was connected to this.

"If you mean whether I know how to duel regarding those direct curses? I do. I quite pride myself on my dueling skills, in fact." Emmeline leaned back, curious as to the reason for the conversation. "I have heard you're another of the ones who prefer to keep their dueling skills at a level close to perfection? Call me Emmeline. Miss Vance makes me sound far older than I hope to be. And if we're talking business, a friend of Rabastan's is a friend of mine." She was happy to tell a tale or two, should he be curious enough. - @xantoninxdolohovx