gates to the glorious [elaine]

[Deleted]

She was to meet Elaine at noon at Platform 7 1/2. She hoped that didn't mean she needed to go off to Europe, because she would have a hell of a time getting out of work, but she would not question The Lady's wishes. More likely, it was just a conveniently busy-enough place for cover. There was value in having trusted eyes in St. Mungo's, and Polyjuice needed regular tending to.

It was 11:58 when Antonia apparated from her bedroom to the meeting place, with a swish of her cloak and her hair untended. She leaned against a pillar as the train pulled in, and waited. She wouldn't wait long, she was sure.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[ooc: platform seven and a half!]

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine was early, as she always was, to meet Antonia, the thorough and one of the newer members on her side. Already the woman had proven herself useful; supplying her with mandrake roots and even recruiting a new member in the hulking form of Ian, or Apollon as he liked to be called. A girl could always use some brute strength on her side, it certainly could come in handy. Today she was disguised as Isolde; Anise was her preferred choice whenever she visited her followers in Hogsmeade where the girl worked as a barmaid at the Hogs Head, but Isolde was a Ministry worker. It would make sense for her to be in London in Kings Cross, more sense than Anise at least.

Elaine was hoping for some news that she’d requested from Antonia; while she was satisfied with the two disguises she currently used thanks to her new brainwashing technique, but one was missing from her trifecta. Elaine so wanted to travel in and out of Saint Mungos hospital, for obvious reasons, without being discovered. She chose her victims very carefully; all had to be wallflowers, with no families, people who when they returned to work nobody would notice any small changes in them. Elaine pulled out the pocketwatch she’d been given by her parents for her seventeenth birthday and saw it was 11:58. As if on cue, she recognized the woman who materialized in front of her, and lean against a pillar. Elaine strode over to her as a train pulled in and flicked her sleeve back. She wore a silver bangle bracelet with a glistening amber colored gemstone that looked eerily like a snakes eye. Her followers had been made aware of this accessory so would know it was her. “Well?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

@antonia

[Deleted]

The dark-haired woman approached her and flashed a sliver bangle with a snake's eye gem. Elaine, in one of her guises, making good use of the Polyjuice Potion it would appear. "Good morning," she answered, casually. "I have a couple of possibilities. I think a nurse might be a better fit for your needs, but I have a Healer in mind too."

Her first thought was Shannon McCafferty. She worked in Artifact Accidents, on the ground floor, well-placed for the gossip and hearing everyone coming in. Lots of turnaround there, so little chance of any patterns being spotted that might cause suspicion. Quietly competent. She'd just been divorced and it had been a bitter one. No children. About as perfect a target as was possible.

Healers were simply more noticable, and there was a higher risk if something went wrong. An older Healer by the name of Lucy Flynn, who had grown children and three cats, was her best bet, but Antonia wasn't sure how close she actually was to her children. That was a risk.

But whatever Elaine wanted, she would be prepared. She had yet to disappoint Elaine. She was not going to start now.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine walked alongside Antonia, her head inclined just ever so slightly to hear the woman better, hands clasped in front of her.  Both options sounded like they could be contenders, but Elaine was not about to take the spot of a Healer, regardless of how much of a wallflower the woman may be.  While she had been studying Healing in her own spare time, she was quite certain the particular...brand of Healing she was interested in would not match the womans' speciality.  A nurse though, Elaine had basic skills that would pass well enough for any time she needed to be in Saint Mungos.  "Tell me more about the nurse," she encouraged quietly.  She was impressed with Antonia Rookwood so far; the woman brought her the Mandrake roots and ingredients for the Polyjuice potion without question or complaint.  Elaine was rather tired of some of her followers who had, for some reason, decided to give her a bit of an attitude.  Soon they would realize that it would no longer be tolerated, and she was rather excited for that to unfold.  


@antonia

[Deleted]

Elaine asked about the nurse, so Antonia nodded once, and answered lightly, as if she was just sharing the office gossip instead of identifying a target for Elaine's experiments. "Shannon, poor thing, just got through a rotten divorce with her husband. She was so stoic about it. Down on Artifact Accidents, her floor you know, they said that they'd hardly have known except that they found her crying in the potions cupboard after one shift. They said she wanted kids, but there are no little McCaffertys to follow her into Ravenclaw."

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine let out a titter of laughter, appropriate for Isolde but wanting to make her vomit on the inside.  "The poor little lamb," she said, clucking her tongue in mock sympathy.  She felt nothing for this woman, Shannon was it?  Names mattered not to Elaine, only what they could provide for her.  "It's such sad news to hear of a marriage breaking apart.  Perhaps she should feel so lucky that there were no children involved; I hear it's only harder that way," she said, her lip curling slightly.  "She should come by for supper sometime, wouldn't you agree?" she suggested lightly after only a moments pause.  In that moment, Elaine felt that the crosshairs locked onto this poor, broken woman.  She would take her in for the mandrake torture, make her believe that she was the only one that could be trusted.  Who knew, perhaps she'd get a little sadistic torture in with the ex-husband on Shannons' behalf.  "What can you tell me of this ex husband?  Is she the type to want venegence?" she asked softly.


@antonia

[Deleted]

It was odd to be discussing something as common as divorce - about someone neither of them cared a whit about - with Elaine. It was something proper purebloods just didn't do. Murder? Chronic cheating? Sure. Divorce? No. Still, there was a role to play, for both of them.

On children, it was easy enough. "I've heard that, but I suspect that's cold comfort for her right now." She smiled, and it didn't reach her eyes. "I think dinner would serve her well." Light in tone, naturally, as she set poor Shannon McCafferty in for far more pain than a mere divorce could grant.

"I'm not particularly sure about her husband. I gather he's a shopkeeper. Cheated on her with customers." She paused to consider if she'd want vengeance - and knowing Elaine, vengeance would be brutal and long. "She might. Don't think she's planning on it, but I suspect she'd take the opportunity if it presented itself."

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine nodded, lips pursed in a smile. Shannon would want revenge on her husband, that was good for her. If Shannon proved as useful as she was hoping she would be, then rewards would be given.  Elaine wouldn't outright kill him of course, even if that would be quicker.  She'd find out exactly what Shannons' wildest and most feral dreams of her ex-husbands fate and let her enact them willingly. "Very good, see that an invitation is extended for sometime next week.  Make sure that it doesn't seem out of place, perhaps talk to her a few times beforehand, get her to vent a little to you."  

Elaine glanced around and found the old clock up on one of the walls.  Nearly a half hour had passed, which gave her a bit less than thirty minutes to return to her home and go about her daily business.  Besides, she needed to pick up a few groceries on her way home.  A growing girl with a thirst for world domination needed to maintain a hearty appetite.  "I must be off.  You know how to get word to me with a time and date," she said with an air of nonchalance as she tossed a stray hair behind her shoulder.


@antonia


ooc: you can end on next post!

[Deleted]

Even though she was wearing someone else's face, Antonia could tell that Elaine was pleased, and that was always a good thing. "Of course," she promised, just before Elaine took her leave. "It will be done, and soon."

So Antonia was headed back to St. Mungo's. Time to make a new friend.

Elaine Lyra Dupree