take is slow, take it all (aerick)

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So her research had led her here, to this Club. It was a pretty dark place, sketchy and all sorts of sleazy in all the classiest ways, apparently. Mad didn't mind clubs. She liked the atmosphere of partying and having a good time, though she didn't really care much for the dancers and the looks she was getting even only being in there for three seconds.

She crossed to the bar and had a seat, her eyes looking back at the Casino around her. How were you supposed to let someone know you wanted information on a group of 'assassins' so to speak? How were you supposed to let them know you wanted in, wanted to help?

She sighed, leaned back against the bar and frowning at the crowd.

@aerick

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Aerick was working the bar alone tonight. Uriah had the night off; he was probably off with the girl from Horizon Alley, the toymaker. He and Uriah didn’t talk much, but they understood each other so well at this point that they didn’t need to. The crowd wasn’t that large, and Aerick didn’t mind being the only bartender; more tips for him. He poured six shots for the three witches in front of them, one of whom looked barely legal to drink. She batted her eyes at him, but he just gave them a charming smile and passed the shots to the girls, who proceeded to down them and cough and sputter. Amateurs.

He wiped down the mess they left and looked over to see a dark haired girl leaning against the bar, her back to him. A vague feeling of recognition stirred inside him, and though another girl had just thrown herself at the bar for another drink, he ignored her and headed over to this girl. “Can I get you anything?” he asked her, his voice low and throaty. His American accent was still strong even after four years in England; he had never tried to hide it.

@hawk

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“Can I get you anything?” Oddly enough, the voice didn't jar her. It just commanded her attention and she spun around, a grin on her face, "you're American," she said, her own American accent laying it on thick. She had only been in London a few weeks and highly doubted her accent would change. That didn't make sense. It developed when she was a kid. Though, it was kind of weird to think of it as an 'accent' now. "Give me something with alcohol, but something lite. I need to be coherent for a while longer," she asked, leaning on the bar again, facing him now. "I'm Madelina," she offered.

@aerick

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Aerick felt his lips curve upward in a smile; how long had it been since he last truly smiled? “I am, and so are you I take it,” he said, giving her a once over now that she had spun around. She had an alluring beauty to her, plus a vague sense of familiarity. “Aerick,” he told her his name and gave her a short nod at her request. He swooped a bottle of champagne from the bar and poured some into a flute, filling it about halfway. He paused for a moment, the gears in his head deciding where to go from there. He decided on orange juice; a mimosa was a morning drink usually, but it was pretty light and bubbly. “Here you go,” he said, gently setting the drink in front of her and garnishing it with a cut strawberry. He studied her for a moment, trying to remember where he’d seen her. “Ilvermorny?” he asked, continuing the short bursts of speech he had grown so accustomed to.

@hawk

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Mad smiled right back at him, almost relieved to be talking with an American right now. She nodded as he guessed right that she was one as well. It was like the Universe had shrunken to just to two of them and, for now, that was just what she needed. He gave his name and she nodded, watching as he brought up the champagne and poured it before pausing to accompany it with orange juice. She grinned, "perfect," she said as she accepted the drink. He looked familiar to her, and she was relieved when he guessed that she'd gone to Ilvermony. "Yes! Pukwudgie. Graduated five years ago. You were there too?" she asked, but it wasn't really a question. She knew it for certain now, looking at him face to face.

@aerick

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Aerick nodded, proud of himself for again serving up the perfect drink. Perhaps it wasn't what he really wanted to do in life, pouring drinks for witches and wizards wanting to forget their troubles and sorrows, but sometimes it was rewarding.  It was sometimes lonely, Aerick could admit deep down, being the only American working at Club Indigo.  He was grateful for the opportunity, not just the job at the bar but the other..benefits, and yet he'd still like people who know what it's like to be from across the ocean.  "Five years ago as well, but Wampus.  Both Horned Serpent and Wampus chose me, and I went with Wampus because it seemed to be the better fit," he said.  Wampus valued warriors, and Aerick was certainly a warrior in his own sense of the word.  His father had also been in Wampus, but Aerick refused to think about it.  "I grew up in New York City; my mother worked with the Wizarding government, so it was easier for her that way."  Again, no mention of his father; the dirty Nomaj that ran out on their family right as Aerick was graduating from Ilvermorny.  Aerick had no idea where his father was, and he didn't care.  He wouldn't, not until the day came where Aerick could squeeze the life out of him and watch him die by his hand.


@hawk

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Mad nodded, "all right, then. I'm sure we had classes together then. I was only selected by Puckwudgie, which surprised me! If only I was in Wampus, too," she smirked, leaning forward on the counter. Madelina was a party girl, a pleaser, and she was fine with flirting shamelessly. Especially with someone who looked like that.

"I am very much the Heart, though," she said, gently pointing to her chest of her heart. Then he spoke of New York City and she grinned, nodding in excitement at the topic. "I'm from Arizona, but we moved to Florida right around my third year. I preferred Arizona, though. Less crowded, less nomaj's around," she figured if he didn't like her tone she could find someone else to help her, she had to test the water some how. "That's great for you mother. My father's on the school board!" she announced.

@aerick

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Aerick smirked as Madi leaned over the bar.  He was used to girls flirting with him; he did after all hold all the power as the bartender.  How else would they be able to suck down the poison of their choice if it weren't for him?   Sure, they could try and get behind the bar, but Aerick saw everything, and would have them thrown out before they realized they had made a mistake.  "I'm sure we did," he said simply, giving only the ghost of a smirk in reply.  He winked at her before taking the orders of a group of rowdy males he'd probably have to kick out in a half hour.  They ordered double shots of firewhiskey; oh yes, they would give him some trouble later on tonight with their levels of inebriation.  Aerick never had any trouble though with the drunks; one quick thought and he was a different form, powerful and flexible.  They listened to him then.

After his rounds, he made his way back to Madi, another mimosa in hand for her.  "This one's on me," he said, putting a finger to his lips to signal it was their secret.  He listened as she told him about growing up in Arizona then Florida and he scrunched his nose.  "Too hot for me; I prefer a more....cooler environment," he said admittedly.  It was part of why he had moved to England in the first place; the cooler, damper weather suited him.  His smile widened, showing his teeth as she mentioned Nomaj.  "Here, my dear they are referred to as Muggles," he said, then jerked his head around the crowd.  "But...to the more, refined wizard, we call them Mudbloods," he said, his voice low.  He knew there was more to this girl than met the eye; had she heard of Elaine and what their group stood for?  He'd have to find out.


@hawk

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He gave her a wink and had to leave her for a moment to take the order from a bunch of rowdy boys. She made sure to lean away from them, keeping her attention close to the bar as she took a sip or two of her drink. She waited patiently, glancing around the club until he found his way back and gave her another mimosa. She grinned, reaching out to take it, their fingers touched slightly when she did. She giggled at the little secret and grinned. Even if he wasn't the one to help her find the people she was looking for it would at least be a good night... hopefully.

He wrinkled his nose at Florida and she chuckled. "I don't prefer one or other, weather wise," she chimed. Then he grinned at her mention of 'no-maj's' and she knew she had hit gold. The way he said muggles and mudbloods sent a chill up her spine. "Well, their blood certainly is dirty," she nodded. her own voice hushed. "I just wish there was a way to... separate from all that," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

@aerick

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Ah, Aerick had been right; Madelina was here for more than just flirtatious banter and drinks with the bartender. It was difficult to find the right person to talk to; he could certainly sympathize. He had been lucky to find Uriah but it had taken several weeks for him to open up about the Purifiers. Elaine was incredibly elusive, and nobody knew about Alastor unless you were actually a sworn member. He wondered though if Madi had heard the rumors about Club Indigo and its’ preference of clientele. He assumed though, that was why she was there.

“Stay behind until the bar closes. We can speak more….freely then.” Aerick’s voice was low, throaty and just enough for Madi to hear him. There were several people in the club with his affiliation, but they were not known as the Enforcer like he was. Several hours later when the bar was empty, he came over to where Madi was and sat down next to her. “So be honest with me, why are you here?” he asked, his voice still quiet. One could never be too cautious when speaking of the Purifiers.

@hawk

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He told her to stick around until the bar closed, so that they could better talk openly about these sort of things. Madelina consider herself lucky, that she had found just the right person to talk to, or at least she hoped that he was heading in the direction she wanted. She sat there the whole night, occasionally watching the people around the room, but mostly watching him bartend. When the time came, he finally came back to her, sitting next to her, and asked why she was there. She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on his. "Because, I heard this was the place to find the people who agreed with me that nomajs aren't meant to be mingled with," she said softly.

@aerick

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Aerick didn't answer her at first; he studied her face as he contemplated on what to tell her.  So she had heard of the Purifiers, and come all the way from American to find them since she found their cause worthy.  But why?  He knew everyone had their reasons for joining; his was to one day take revenge on his filthy Muggle father who deserted him just as he graduated from Ilvermorny.  Others, most others believed in keeping bloodlines pure.  Some he even thought were probably in it for the thrill or the fun.  He wondered what her story was.  

"You are not wrong that the people here have rather....strong sentiments concerning Mudbloods," he said slowly, his fingers caressing his jawline as he decided what to say.  "Before I make any promises or anything of the sort, what's your story?  Why do YOU hate them so much?" he asked her, his eyes never leaving hers.


@hawk

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He was silent for a moment but she held his gaze. She had the feeling he was the type who needed to see that she could hold her ground. Then he started speaking, asking for her story.

She swallowed, giving a short nod to prepare herself. "I will be honest with you, Aerick," she said softly. "But I fear that they'll overtake us with their horrible weapons of mass destruction. I mean, I know they aren't near as powerful as us but if they ever found out..." she shuddered, sitting up straight, "I just think that separate is best." She told him her real opinion, which was rare.

@aerick

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Aerick nodded slowly, taking her story in. It was a very...American approach to the subject of Muggleborns, or NoMajs as they called it. He remembered during his travels seeing Muggle newspapers worrying about bomb threats, or nuclear weapons scares. It was enough to send anyone into a mass hysteria, which of course the NoMaj politicians eagerly used to gain supporters throughout the country. Pitiful and disgusting; Aerick knew his parents had both worked for the American magical government, but he had never sensed that it was nearly as corrupt as the NoMajs were. “Separate is best,” he parroted, a slow smile spreading across his face. He did believe that Elaine would be interested in this side of the story; pretty much all of the Purifiers, save for him, were of European descent and paid zero attention to the Western side of the world. With his lack of care towards his old life, Aerick would not have wanted to press the issues, but with Madi? It could definitely bring some interest in.

“I think your story is worth sharing. Unfortunately, that decision does not lie with me. Come back to the bar in a weeks time. If the shirt I am wearing is black, then unfortunately I will not have any information for you. If my shirt is white...well, you’ll see,” he said, his grin widening. He had no idea what Elaine’s reaction would be, but recruits were always good to have, especially after the kidnapping fiasco.


@hawk

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Mad leaned forward even more when he spoke about how the decision didn't lie with him and how she had to come back. He had some fancy code for the color shirt he was wearing and she grinned too. "I'll be looking for that white shirt," she said softly, reaching out to touch the collar of the shirt he was wearing right then. Then, after a moment, she released it and finished her drink, shaking her head to get the edge off before turning back to him as she pushed off her seat. "I guess I will see you in a week, Aerick," she said. Then she did what she would do with anyone and leaned forward to give him a quick kiss on the cheek of goodbye before leaving the club. She had a feeling this was the right place to be. Whether it was for whoever he worked with or whether it was for this fellow American she'd magically stumbled upon... magic really was amazing, wasn't it?

@aerick
(let's end this one. And we can skip her recruitment and just say that Desi sanctioned her. Let's do another one with them, though?)