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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 13, 2009 13:16:18 GMT -5
With the hood of her dark purple cloak pulled up over her head, Esmerelda shot a very dirty look at a rather forward peddler that tried to pawn off shoddy talismans on her as she passed. Ignoring the toothless man's further attempts when the glare didn't get her point across, she continued past him and several other street vendors, mind set on what she'd been sent to do. While she looked very out of place with her silk cloak and high-end designer clothes, she was very much in her element among the dregs of wizarding society that congregated in the alley. No one dared to bother her after that point, something of which she was thankful.
Finally approaching the destination she had been told to go to, she slipped into the doorway of number 13B, blue eyes flickering around the items on display around the rather dim room. She had no trouble seeing, as the dark was far easier on her eyes than bright light. Turning away from the study of a supposedly cursed necklace and candles made of human fat, her eyes fell on the shopkeeper as he came from the back room.
"Ah, Miss Baxter." Borgin nearly crooned, wringing his hands slowly in what seemed a typical nervous manner when either of the Baxters were present - he seemed to be rightfully afraid of them. "I trust you and your father are well?"
"You trust correctly." Giving a thin smile, she approached the counter and drew a parcel folded in rough cloth out from beneath her cloak - she had obviously been concealing it there for quite some time. "And you know why I've brought this in. Father expects you to keep your word about the price."
"Oh yes, of course, of course. Same price, and I'll be throwing in five percent for you and your trouble of bringing this here. Just allow me to examine it and be sure it's in good order." Borgin gave an oily smile, inclining his head as he took the parcel and walked away to study it - leaving Esmerelda to start looking around the store again.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 13, 2009 18:45:04 GMT -5
Vinnie hadn't intended on venturing out to Knockturn Alley when he left the house abruptly, leaving his sister ungaurded in territory of many roudy Death Eaters. However, he had learnt over the years that wherever the wind blows you should follow, so he was now walking the streets of the dank alleyway looking for some sort of venue to catch his attention. As a young man, he took a stroll down Knocturn Alley quite a bit-- there were many interesting shops there that he simply couldn't deny, and he had the money for such things. He took a sharp left and looked up at the sign above him. 'Borgin and Burkes', it read. Oh, yes--he'd been here before. His father had made many business deals in this very store, and its contents intriuged Vinnie. It may have been a little run down, but it had good deals and valuable stuff. As he entered the door, the bell rang above him, but he didn't falter. He glanced into the room adjacent from the one he was in and saw a figure a couple feet shorter than him. On further inspection, he realized it was a child-- a teenager, rather. Younger than him, he supposed. He approached with caution, and looked at various items so she wouldn't notice him. Then, as he began to search the eisles a bit more carefully, he heard footsteps and backed up a step. Unfortunately, this step led him right into the path of the aforementioned girl. He moved out of the way a step so she wouldn't bump into him and looked at her even closer now. She was attractive, he'd give her that. She had some sort of mysterious vibe about her that he quite liked. "Excuse me Miss, I'm so sorry. I had no idea you were behind me."
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 13, 2009 21:31:27 GMT -5
In the process of studying the cases that held those items that came with larger price tags, Esme rolled her eyes at the exorbitance of more than a few of them. 10,000 galleons for a set of three shrunken heads from South America was far beyond ridiculous. Why anyone would buy it was beyond her, much less at that price.
Soon, the sound of the bell above the door ringing as someone else came into the store caught her attention, though she didn't turn yet. A flick of a glance told her Borgin was missing - probably still scrutinizing what she'd brought in to sell. Growing a bit bored in having to wait, she turned and started to move back to the front room, intending to hurry the old man up - but so lost in thought was she that she nearly ran into someone else before she realized they were there.
The hint of a scoff nearly reached her lips, but the apology - and the realization that he was a good bit taller than her - stopped that from coming. Eyes flicking up to study his face, she had to concede mentally that he was rather good-looking. "That's fine, I wasn't paying attention. My fault." That wasn't what she thought, but she said it regardless. No need to be too rude yet.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 14, 2009 11:04:01 GMT -5
He pulled his cloak a little closer around him, and looked around for Borgin. He wasn't at his normal station, but Vinnie knew that there had to be some kind of link between Borgin's suspicous absence and the young lady before him. He saw her dark purple cloak and noticed that she was rather high class to be caught in a dingy looking place such as Borgin and Burkes. However, he could say the same thing of himself. "I must say, although I almost bumped into you--pardon me for that--I do get the pleasure of meeting you." He smirked lightly and gently put out his hand. "Vincent Matlock."
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 14, 2009 14:16:19 GMT -5
"Esme Baxter, and I'm sure the pleasure is mine." Giving only the hint of a smile, she shook the proffered hand, then let go and pushed her hood back. While indoors, she didn't have to worry so much with it - that and the sun didn't very easily reached the windows of this particular building.
Smoothing whisps of hair back down, she looked closer at Vincent with a slightly furrowed brow. She knew she had seen him somewhere, more than likely at school. He was older, that much was obvious. "You attend Hogwarts, yes? I think I may have seen you there."
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 14, 2009 15:16:09 GMT -5
"I do attend Hogwarts-- 7th year, Slytherin. I must say, you seem vaguely familiar, and I think it's attributed to run-ins at school, yes?" He watched as she shook his hand and introduced herself. Her surname was a name he'd heard before, no doubt about that. He often heard snips of his Father's conversations, and Baxter had been mentioned more than a few times. As he dropped her hood down, he got a closer look at her face-- and was not suprised by what he saw. She was rather pretty, with an cold disposition but a slight smile on her face--the two clashing greatly. He was hesitant to mention that he'd her name before, because if on the off-chance he was wrong, it may cause a lot of trouble.
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 14, 2009 15:39:09 GMT -5
"Must be. I've seen you in the common room before and in the hallways." Finding that nulled the need to say what house she was in, Esme glanced towards the counter again to see if Borgin had returned yet - and true to her suspicions, he hadn't. She shouldn't be surprised, but she was starting to get impatient. What she'd brought in for appraisal wasn't all that interesting in comparison to what her father usually sold here.
"If this thrice-blighted shopkeeper doesn't hurry up.." She sighed irritably, seeming impatient.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 14, 2009 16:02:01 GMT -5
He nodded and watched as she leaned back in adgitation, waiting for Borgin. He smiled, bit his lip slightly and walked a few steps in front of her. "Allow me, please." He walked up to the dingy old table that Brogin used to seperate the common-folk area for the storage units. He tapped his wand against the desk irritably, and snapped his fingers twice when he saw Borgin come out of the dank hallway. "Ah, Mr. Matlock. Such a long time your family hasn't been in the shop. But, ah--yes, I'd remember that face when I see it." Vinnie placed his hand on the table and leaned a little closer to Borgin. "If this was a time for pleasentries, I'd have let you know. This young lady has been waiting for your services far too long, would you say?" He motioned to Esme, but couldn't read the expression on her face.
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 15, 2009 1:16:37 GMT -5
Hardly expecting what he was now doing for her, Esme watched with a passive expression. Her eyes flickered to Borgin when it became necessary, but otherwise she chose to act as if he wasn't even of interest. She knew she would get the money she came for, but the process of actually getting it into her hands was going to be a right pain. While she watched, though, Borgin simply decided that he would hurry up with his business over the parcel - and with a murmured promise of speed more to Vincent, who was another that he wouldn't push, the old man started counting out the money.
"I think you got a point across." Esme remarked lightly, not caring if Borgin overheard or not. It wasn't as if he could do anything, so she wasn't concerned about keeping up appearances. No one would cross her, especially when her father frowned on such things. And when Nickolas Baxter frowned on something, it was to be avoided - or there were bloody consequences.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 23, 2009 16:32:52 GMT -5
"I think you got a point across."
Vinnie laughed slightly, of course he did. There was never a time when he didn't get exactly what he meant across to the recepient. He felt a small tug on his back and turned around a tad paranoid but saw nothing. He smirked, shook it off and turned back to Esme, ignoring Borgin now. "Well, now that you've gotten what you need what'd you say we get out of here?" He grinned and ran a hand through his hair. "There's a pub around the corner that's rather reputable considering where we are."
He knew that Knockturn Alley didn't exactly have the best reputation around, and there were rather lowly people who hung around there. However, there were hidden treasures beneath the filth-- people just had to realize that. "What'd you say, Esme? I'd love to have your company even for a few moments."
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 27, 2009 13:14:07 GMT -5
Answering the question only once Borgin had handed over the money with rather profuse apology, Esme put said money away in the specially designed pocket in the lining of her cloak. No one would be able to see it there, not that she was overly concerned with anyone stealing from her. Her reputation and name always preceded her, so she was able to look after herself with no worry.
"I have free time to take advantage of before father misses me, so why not? I'm sure it'll be fun." The smile she gave could be called unnerving, but it was proof that she was interested.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 27, 2009 15:53:37 GMT -5
Vinnie didn't know exactly what he was doing when he offered to escort Esme Baxter around Knockturn Alley. All he did know, however, was that something about her was oddly enticing—made him want to know so much more. He led her out of the store, making sure to say a proper polite goodbye to Borgin. They were out in the street now, and he noticed how she carried herself. She seemed rather confident for her age; it made her seem older than she actually was. They turned a corner and an older man leered at Esme, and Vinnie glared at him, taking his wand out of his holster and waving it. The old man sulked away in a pathetic manner. When they reached the door to the pub, he opened it for her and she stepped inside before him. He waited a moment, glanced back at the street and walked inside.
He marched over to the bar and ordered a Fire Whiskey for himself. He nodded at Esme and replied to the bartender, “Her drink is on my tab,” and let Esme order for herself. When they had sat down, Vinnie relaxed a little and leaned back in his chair. “So, Esme… tell me a little about yourself. I’ve heard your name often, but I rarely listen to gossip. I’m much more interested in the real story.”
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 28, 2009 0:08:18 GMT -5
For once consenting to being escorted around, Esme remained quiet as they walked and allowed Vincent to take the lead. He knew where they were going, and he also seemed more than willing to be sure nothing 'befell' her around the less-than-savory crowds that were frequenting the alley that afternoon. Inclining her head with an oddly charming smirk as he opened the door to the pub for her, she slipped inside smoothly and accompanied him up to the bar. Not surprised at his offer to pay - something she was used to - she ordered a firewhiskey as well, and didn't recieve a second glance from the bartender. Her demeanor and behavior marked her out as someone much older, so she was able to get away with things where others wouldn't be able to.
Pushing her hood back once they were sitting at a table, she smoothed her hair down carefully and made sure her appearance was flawless before glancing across the table at her companion. His interest brought a smile to her face, and she was hard-pressed to keep her teeth from showing when she did so. "There isn't much to say that gossip won't blow out of proportion for you. You know my name, know there is some notoriety around it..though I wonder if you've heard of my father." Leaning forward, she placed her hands on her lap and folded them, the picture of lady-like grace - though hidden behind it was something much more..vicious.
"The Baxter name has a lot of weight placed behind it." Lightly running her tongue across her teeth beneath her closed mouth, she waited to see what reaction - if any - he gave.
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Post by Vincent Matlock on Sept 28, 2009 12:03:57 GMT -5
Vinnie took a sip of his drink and listened to her spout about the importance of both her father and her family name. Oh, he'd heard all of the like before. Her father was Nickolas Baxter-- a vampire Death Eater and highly respected in the circles his Father was in. He ran a hand through his hair and sat up straight, intently listening as she asked if he knew her Father. It was a ridiculous question, there wasn't anyone with a Death Eater Father that didn't know Nickolas Baxter. However, he figured that's what she was hinting at. Wanting to know if he was who she thought he was.
"Yes, I've heard of your Father. He's a rather important man, is he not? And I've also heard of yourself--and your name does carry a lot of weight. I think I can symphathize with that. Yes, I must admit my name is rather important with the right people."
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Post by Esmerelda Baxter on Sept 28, 2009 14:10:21 GMT -5
"The right people being whom?" Saying nothing more about her own notoriety, Esme was now interested to learn of his. Yes, she had heard the name Matlock in passing before, but didn't quite grasp what it was about them that was so important. Her interest was now captured, and she toyed with a lock of her hair as she regarded Vincent from beneath her eyelashes. "I think a general idea of what you're implying will do, I'm quite good at picking up implications."
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