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Post by Selena Lupin on Aug 29, 2009 18:03:25 GMT -5
Not even flinching as the owls in cages around the store all fluttered their wings due to the oddly cool draft coming in through the open door, Selena pulled it to behind her as she stepped in. Having to squint at first due to the less than bright atmosphere in Eeylop's - positively full of many types and sizes of owls - she took a moment to let her eyes adjust. Once able to see more than shapes and patterns behind the barred cages, she started to look around at the numerous birds, able to take her time because the shopkeeper was already helping a few other people that had come in before her.
Well aware that this trip was just going to be looking into the type of owl she wanted to save up for, she also took her time about it. The weather outside was trying to take a turn, with one of the atypical afternoon thunderstorms popping up and coming back at sporadic intervals. Also in the store to get out of the weather, she had to wonder where her twin had gotten off to. She and Shawn had both split up from their parents and gone seperate directions - Shawn under the stipulation that he had to stay near Quality Quidditch Supplies, her that she had to avoid Knockturn Alley..not that she would ever go back there willingly.
Keeping her thoughts away from what had happened the last time she had been seperated from her family, she spotted an oddly small tawny owl in a cage at the end of a series of similar birds. Upon approaching, she smiled a bit at the realization that the owl she was looking at was still young - yet mature enough to be sold. One glance at the price wound around the cage door made her check those on the other cages, and it was quickly obvious that it would take less time to save up for the young one. "Give me a little time, and I'll be coming back for you." She murmured to the bird, smiling as beady eyes fixed on her face and the young bird gave a couple soft hoots.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Aug 29, 2009 21:55:23 GMT -5
"You have nice taste. Lupin... Selena, right?" Alexander seemed to have materialized out of nowhere to stand next to Selena, casting a slight shadow over the bird. He had ducked into the shop looking for his excuse of a wife, but he didn't see her. She'd be back. Eventually. It's not like she had any money on her if she didn't.
Alexander had almost completely passed by Selena when he recognized why she looked so familiar to him- Coralie. Pretty woman, but she loathed his guts. Not that she'd admit it out loud, but Alex could read the defensive look in her gaze all the same.
He had met the senior Lupins when he had (on Voldemort's orders) joined the Order. He had quickly won over everyone else with his charm and charisma, everyone that is except Coralie. It never failed that when he appeared, she immediately sought shelter near her husband, as if he was going to do anything to Alex. He seemed to like Alex well enough, and Alex had never given them reason to suspect that his motives lay elsewhere.
If he was going to win Cora's trust, however, he needed to take an indirect route- her children. Women were imbeciles about their children. Maybe if he won Selena's favor, mother Lupin would stop raising her hackles every time he came around...
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Post by Selena Lupin on Aug 29, 2009 22:01:27 GMT -5
Tensing a bit at being addressed by name, Selena turned towards the one that had spoken - and relaxed only fractionally as she vaguely recalled seeing the older man in one of the Order meetings. She hadn't been part of it, of course, but remembered seeing him among all the others there. That soothed the rest of her fears for the time being, so she managed a slight smile. "Thanks..and yes, that's my name." Though she thought about it for a moment, she was still unable to place a name with the face. "I'm sorry, but..I can't place your name." She looked a bit embarassed about that, and her normally pale face was twinged a faint shade of pink.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Aug 31, 2009 14:22:11 GMT -5
Alexander clasped his hands behind his back, giving Selena a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Selena. My name is Alexander. I'm a... friend... of your parents."
He turned his attention back to the owl, feeling that the girl was uncomfortable under his gaze. "Buying a new pet?" He asked conversationally. The owl stared at them both, then hooted softly. "Owls are magnificent creatures- incredibly smart. I have one myself, at home."
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Post by Selena Lupin on Aug 31, 2009 19:32:12 GMT -5
"Oh, okay." At least able to place that name, Selena felt more comfortable in talking. She was usually wary at pursuing conversation, but the knowledge that this man knew her parents made it less of a percieved risk.
"I'm looking into buying one, I can't actually do so yet." Able to say that without shame for once - even if the explanation of not having enough money for what would be basic for many - she studied the bars of the cage and folded her arms across her chest. "I send so many letters home with the owls at school, and I'd like to have one of my own instead of having to rely on others."
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Post by Alexander Landry on Sept 4, 2009 21:45:48 GMT -5
Alexander listened to the girl talk for a moment before nodding, choosing his words carefully, so as not to stir the girl's pride. He knew that making his "gift" look like a charity case would make her upset, but if he managed just right, he would be able to get in her good graces... which would work for both of them, though he honestly could care less if it worked for Selena. "Look, Selena... I sort of owe your father a favor, and you know how he can be, he refuses to let me pay up. However, he saved my hide from some death eaters last month, and I'd really like to show my appreciation somehow. How about I pay for your owl as a token of my thanks? That way, you get your pet, and your parents can hear from you more often and more conveniently. How does that sound?"
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Post by Selena Lupin on Sept 4, 2009 22:13:26 GMT -5
"I..don't know." Trying not to sound as if she was being rude in being skeptical, Selena closed her eyes for a moment and almost wished she had chosen a different store to look around in. She didn't know enough to suspect Alexander of lying, and probably wouldn't have thought of that anyway. She saw this several different ways, and didn't quite know which one was the truth.
"I'm not supposed to accept anything from anyone.." Her face went slightly red again, and she studied the caged owl with a rare sort of intensity. She didn't know what to do, and her determination either way would obviously be easy to pressure.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Sept 4, 2009 22:20:14 GMT -5
"Understandable." Alexander said, nonplussed. His rich voice sounded like a purring lion, so soft and content. "Your parents are very smart to warn you of the dangers. Still..."
Alexander moved around the display holding the owls, leaning his arms on top of one of the cages as he met Selena's gaze. "I'll make you a deal. You can pick whichever owl you want, and to ensure that it can't be tampered with by me- safety first, of course- I won't even touch it. I will merely pay the bill, in order to return my favor to your father."
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Post by Selena Lupin on Sept 4, 2009 22:28:09 GMT -5
A blink, a long moment and a lot of mental hedging and hemming after this offer, and Selena finally had relented enough to accept it. She didn't doubt that her parents would be at the least a little cross with her, but her best comfort in it was the ability to explain the situation as it had happened - and she thought that would work it out. There were no thoughts of what would happen if it didn't, but her thinking wasn't fully coherent when it came to difficult conundrums - thanks to the encroaching full moon.
"I guess that's fair." She managed to smile, even, finding the need for it in light of money being spent on her account. In her mind, it was a large expense, but only having enough money for the basics had colored her outlook on that front.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Sept 4, 2009 22:35:58 GMT -5
"Excellent." Alexander smiled, his white teeth flashing in the dim lighting of the owlery. "Now, pick out whichever one you like- no expense is too high for the debt I owe your father."
I have you right where I want you, little wolf... First you, then your mother.... Tsk, tsk, it's almost too easy... True to his word, Alexander didn't touch a single thing as he quietly reminded her to pick up some owl treats, as well.
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Post by Selena Lupin on Sept 4, 2009 22:46:56 GMT -5
Taking little time to return to her first choice, the young tawny, Selena managed to retrieve the cage and take it down from it's hook without disturbing the bird within. Taking the cage and the owl treats she chose to the counter, she waited for the shopkeeper to get done with the customers that had come in after her. Once they were gone, she smiled at the older wizard - and was glad that there was no question about her purchase agreement. She had come in alone, after all.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Sept 4, 2009 22:51:59 GMT -5
Alexander waited patiently for Selena to make her purchase, and when it came time to pay he followed her to the counter, laying down a pile of galleons with all the casualty of a muggle placing a couple hundred on the table. It was almost as if he was accustomed to spending a lot in one go. When the owl and the treats were successfully paid for, he held the door open for Selena and headed out into the cloudy daylight.
"Do tell your parents hello for me." He said with false amiability. "Oh, before I go... you wouldn't happen to know my son, would you? Marcel Landry?" Maybe Marcel would prove useful for once...
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Post by Selena Lupin on Sept 4, 2009 23:06:31 GMT -5
Slipping the container of treats into her pocket, Selena adjusted her grip on the owl's cage carefully. It took a moment for her eyes to readjust to the brighter light outside - a sign of just how dim the lighting in Eeylops actually was. "I will." She promised, knowing an explanation would have to come with that passed greeting. "Oh..no, I don't think I do." The name wasn't coming off as very familiar, so she gave a bit of a sheepish smile.
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Post by Alexander Landry on Sept 7, 2009 20:54:12 GMT -5
"I think you and he would get along- you should make his aquaintance when you get to school." He smiled, already knowing he was going to order Marcel to seek out the girl as soon as they arrived at Hogwarts. It was time the spoiled brat earned a little of his priviledge.
Do you need any help finding your family before I go?"
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Post by Selena Lupin on Sept 7, 2009 21:01:11 GMT -5
Selena nodded in response to what was said, taking it as slight prodding. It didn't surprise her, but it would be something to think about by the time she was ready to go back to school. Glancing around the street, she spotted a familiar sandy-blond head of hair and smiled, then looked back to Alexander. "Thank you, but no. I see my brother down the street there. And..thank you again for the owl."
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