I'm A Modern Major General [ONDINA & EVIE]

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine was thrilled, more excited than she had been in months. She had not one, but two new recruits thanks in part to Ondina Weasley, her trusted minions were infiltrating the Ministry, St Mungos and even Hogwarts, and now she was ready to unveil a project she had been working on for some weeks. Finally, the carefully laid plans would come to fruition. By her side was Sunny, a Squib born to a pureblood family that always felt some resentment towards Muggleborn witches. It was because of them that she had no magical abilities, according to her. Elaine knew that wasn’t entirely true, but she didn’t bother correcting her. She needed Sunny’s fiery passions to stay stoked as their new venture became public.

To assist, Elaine had mulled over which of her more seasoned followers would be up to the task. She had finally settled on two; Evie, a vampiress whose charming seductive ways were just as deadly as her sharp pointed fangs. The other was none other than Ondina Weasley. The girl had shown her worth by introducing her to Richie Trudeau, who she had found to be most useful in infiltrating the Ministry. None of her disguises were here today; they were all out on their own missions set by Elaine yesterday. It was just her and Sunny sitting together in an empty storefront, the sign on the outside masked by brown paper. The name and purpose of this space would be revealed in good time, once Evie and Ondina arrived. For now, Elaine sipped a cool glass of lemonade, going over the carefully laid plans one last time with Sunny before the other two womens’ pending arrivals.

@evie
Ondina Nell Weasley

ooc: whoever gets to it first doesn't matter! just let's keep the order once it's in place

[Deleted]

To be summoned by Elaine with little or no context was not unusual, though today's summons seemed different. There was something to the message that implied excitement. Evie didn't mind excitement, but she had finally finished the establishment of her beloved coven and was in relaxation mode. She needed context before joining in such mental states. 

Evie saw the meeting location from a distance, but decided to look for a back entrance before going in just yet. Finding a fairly nondescript backdoor to the same building a few minutes later, Evie looked around cautiously before approaching. She reached for the door handle, pausing briefly to slide her palm across the lock to non-verbally unlock the door first before entering. Once inside, Evie re-locked the door and walked quietly up the surface of the nearest wall until she was upside-down, her own gravity pulling her to the ceiling. 

Moments later, she softly glided into the storefront area to find Elaine and someone else sitting over a number of papers. Evie smiled.

"Good-morrow, my dear Lady," she said sweetly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" 

Ondina Nell Weasley
Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Ondina Nell Weasley]

i am my own.

ELAINE HAD VAGUELY ALLUDED TO ONDINA HER grand, new plans. But, she was also a master puppeteer. Ondina new no more than anybody else when she received the coordinates for their scheduled meet up. Not her office, as Ondina had initially expected, but an empty shop in the heart of London. But, Ondina suppressed her desire to question it by reminding herself of the privilege. She was climbing the ladder, so to speak.

The shop was locked when Ondina arrived, but the instructions she'd been given simply told her to let herself in. She did so with a simple flick of her wrist. Simple non-verbal spells were easier for Ondina now. Plus, it was always thrilling to apply. Inside, there was a fine layer of dust on the window frames. Her heels echoing as she made her way through to the back, where she could hear the muffled sounds of movement and low chatter.

"Am I the last to arrive?" Ondina asked curiously, her eyes casting over where Elaine sat beside a small, unfamiliar woman. Chloe, however, was a face Ondina did recognise. And with mild surprise. She hadn't expected to be working with her, but upon realising she was, it settled without irritation. "Chloe..." She greeted, tilting her chin in acknowledgement as she set her sunglasses at the top of her head. 

Elaine Lyra Dupree

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Evie had entered the store first, followed closely by Ondina. She raised a brow as the Weasley addressed the vampire as Chloe, but didn’t say anything to the contrary. Evie was known at the Ministry as her usual name of course, but she was known as Chloe in  her coven.  Odd that Ondina was addressing her as such; Elaine assumed there was a story there that one of them would divulge soon enough. “Yes, but you are still on time,” she told Ondina with a jerk of her chin, she spread out the papers she had in front of her, indicating they should be seated on either side of her at the table. “May I introduce Sunny Wu? She is a champion in public relations, and is ah...sympathetic to the cause,” Elaine explained a slow smile spreading across her face as Sunny introduced herself to the other two with a polite smile. “I’m sure by now you realize why you’re here. You see, I’ve been growing a bit restless lately, and I decided what better way to spend my parent’s hard earned money by investing it in real estate?”

With a bit of a flourish, Elaine revealed the logo Sunny had designed - a simple R and H in two shades of blue for the name of the corporation: Refined Holdings Inc. “Sunny here came up with the name - clever isn’t she?” Elaine complimented, and the woman beamed. “She will be in charge of running the public relations campaign, making sure the corporation is viewed in a positive light, making building owners WANT to sell to us.” She paused, waiting for a few moments to let it sink in exactly what she was planning, before she continued. “Sadly, Sunny is a pureblooded Squib, so presenting her to the building owners may not go so well for matters of persuasion, which brings me to my next declaration.” Elaine straightened in her seat, eyes going between Evie and Ondina slowly. “We need realtors with a skilled magical background, in case any of our sellers have some last minute regrets.” A slow, cat line grin spread across her face. “I presume you two would be more than adequate to obtain the real estate from the sellers, no?” Elaine knew they could accomplish this - it was why she had picked them after all. She was just looking for their own confirmation that they were up for the challenge.

@evie
Ondina Nell Weasley

[Deleted]

"Ondina, darling," Evie greeted sweetly with a smile. She quietly strode down the wall and to the table near Elaine's newly revealed friend. 

"Enchanted to meet you, Sunny," she soothed with a gentle bow of her head. Sunny Wu. Fascinating name, considering Evie's condition. Who knew? Maybe there was a sun, Evie could work with. She briefly studied the new girl while pacing part-way around the table. Then she heard Elaine speak the words, real estate. Evie instantly shot a funny smirk at Ondina.

Eyes alight with intrigue, she watched the logo be revealed. Refined Holdings Inc.... That was actually brilliant. The pun on the Purifier's name was adorable, yet the whole thing came across as fantastically generic and maybe even a bit comfortable. As she listened intently, more pieces of Elaine's plan began to materialize. As it turned out, the yet-reticent Sunny Wu was revealed to be a uniquely talented Pureblood Squib, and Elaine needed a pair of heavy hitters to drive home any hiccups that may develop in the beginnings of an acquisitions plot. Evie could not have been more satisfied with this news. 

The Purifiers was no stranger to pretty faces and ruthless actions, but Ondina could manipulate people in ways that made Evie near jealous. And with Chloe Pride's skill set added into the mix, a talented PR agent, and Elaine's own ambitions behind it all; this was shaping up to be it's own realm of delightful and evil possibilities. 

"My Lady..." Evie made a soft, but delighted moan. "I do rather enjoy silencing last minute regrets. Oh, you spoil us! I'm in, no question."

Ondina Nell Weasley
Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Ondina Nell Weasley]

i am my own.

EASED BY THE FACT THAT SHE HAD NOT ARRIVED too late, Ondina nodded once with a thin, expectant smile. She was rather excited to know what was going on exactly, anticipating more responsibilities within the group. She had, after all, killed for Elaine. The thought still made her blood run a little bit cold, but she persevered, burying it as she looked over at Elaine's new companion with a brief smile, before shifting it back to Elaine.

Ondina's brows lifted slightly, catching Chloe's gaze as it slipped over her, mirroring the slight smirk as she recalled their previous conversation at the club. "Very clever," Ondina admitted, squinting at the logo. It all looked rather legit, if she were honest. Her mind was already running over the possibilities of opening such revenue. How smart Elaine was, Ondina was almost vexed to admit just how smart. She would have never thought of this, but it was rather genius in its quiet power.

The word squib caught Ondina's attention and she looked at Sunny with new eyes, her 'sympathies' making more sense the more that Elaine revealed. "You do have a face for PR," Ondina said, meaning it as a sort of twisted compliment. She looked forgettable, but likeable. Nonthreatening, almost.

"I'm honoured that you thought of me," Ondina grinned, something snake-like in the way she executed it. She winked at Chloe, folding her arms in front of her delicately. "I'm sure we're more than capable of handling it." Already, Ondina was thinking about how far and wide they could take this. She was rather sick of pushing papers at the Ministry. This felt like more. It made her feel excited.  "What's first?" She asked enthusiastically, walking across the room and pulling out a chair opposite Elaine and Sunny. 

Elaine Lyra Dupree

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine had not thought either of them would refuse the offer she was putting on the table for them, but it still gave her ego a stroke as they both readily accepted. “Good,” she said, leaning back in her chair, a small, half-smile forming on her lips. Evie and Ondina both had different strengths and weaknesses, but shared a few key personality traits that made them perfect for the job. Elaine’s eyes flicked over to Sunny, and nodded once. The woman brought out a folder and removed several sheets of paper, each containing different properties and their specs. “Sunny and I have taken the liberty of fishing for a few leads to start off with. None of these properties are the size of, say, Gringotts, but will still be useful in the long run for us.” Elaine selected one of the sheets and laid it out on top. The sheet would look familiar to the two of them, for it was of Club Indigo - the top however had a large red stamp that read ‘SOLD’. “We’ve already completed the purchase of Club Indigo. It is now owned by Refined Holdings, officially,” she said with a smirk. Of course, the Club had been known to conduct Purifier matters beforehand, but now the club officially belonged to Elaine. Well, Refined Holdings of course.

Elaine glanced down at the papers before selecting another one and putting it in front of Evie and Ondina. “This is a small wizarding bank that specifically caters to pureblood families. Of course, we’re all most familiar with Gringotts, but families, like Sunny’s, are more apt to use smaller banks like these. This one is run by humans, not goblins, so I feel that this is a good place to start.” The first step in best laid plans always involved money, and though Elaine had plenty of her own, she would prefer to not go bankrupt in the process. She knew she was starting the two women off on a rather easy task, but it was a new experience for them - best to get their feet wet before diving off into the deep end. “Of course, as most real estate corporations do, there will be special...commissions for any sales.” At this, she turned to Ondina. “My expert Potioneer has been told of your ailment Ondina. He believes he has almost perfected something that you’ll find immensely pleasing,” she told her, almost nonchalantly. Elaine knew that Ondina’s asthma troubled her greatly, and the leader of the Purifiers believed that her followers should be rewarded for their efforts. Unlike her predecessors, Elaine took into account everything, and had had a personal investment in each and every one of them. They weren’t all lumped together in one group - they were individuals, like she was. That after all, was the reason she would succeed where her predecessors didn’t. She turned to Evie. “You are fortunate of course, to not have the same ailments as humans do. What is it you would ask of me in return for your success?” she asked, waiting patiently for the woman’s response.

@evie
Ondina Nell Weasley

[Deleted]

Evie smirked back at Ondina. This was going to be fun. And what better timing? Now that she wasn't occupying all of her non-ministry and non-Purifier business time to establishing a coven, she had more than enough time to accommodate a new project. Not sleeping more than a few times a year was possibly one of her favorite Vampire perks. 

Sunny brought out a folder containing papers baring property descriptions and specifications, spreading them out on the table. Evie tilted her head and eyed the pages closer. Elaine described them as starter properties -following the officially acquired Club Indigo, of course. As was usual with Elaine's plans, everything was terribly logical and thorough.

"_{Bloody brilliant,}" Evie breathed quietly. She was making a mental map of the specific locations, as well as beginning to think of the benefits each locale might offer. Evie almost laughed, imagining a teleportation box or mirror hidden within each place. With the right network installed, the Ministry wouldn't even know what hit them. 

Evie did actually let out a dark chuckle when Elaine mentioned the bank as their first major target. In two strokes, Elaine would make Refined Holdings not only stable and attractive, but also open to so many avenues of money laundering that they would be hard pressed to fail. They'd just have to be careful with pacing. Too much too fast would be obvious, and too little too slow wouldn't make the effort worthwhile. 

And speaking of worthwhile, Elaine sweetened the deal, offering them commissions for sales. Obviously she had something in mind for Ondina -of great medical value, no less- but left it open to Evie. Evie blinked for a moment or two. She honestly hadn't thought about such things for a while. 

"Hmm, that's a funny thought. I really don't have anything prepared." she started, trying to think. Getting the coven on its feet was it's own reward, really. After a moment or two of consideration, something did come to mind. 

"That said, I guess there is something I've had my eye on for a while," she said. "There was an enchanting shop in Knockturn Alley that was boarded up quite a while ago. The Brass Ring, I believe it was called. Quite a bit the coven and I could make use of. Perhaps we could find a way to shuffle that property into my hand?" 

"Either way, I am more interested in wrapping this bank around our fingers." Evie stepped away from the table and peered outside through an opening in the window covering. "To be the Holding Company for this bank by peaceful means, we will need to acquire a healthy percentage of the total stocks. From there, enacting changes and compliance should be straightforward as long as we keep the deal sweet for the directors." She turned back to face the table again. "Persuading stock sales without ruining the customer base will require a more personal touch." Evie raised her eyebrows suggestively at the others. 

Ondina Nell Weasley
Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Ondina Nell Weasley]

i am my own.

ONDINA WAS NOT EXACTLY THE SILENT TYPE BUT she still managed to hold her tongue as Elaine explained, a thick folder placed on the table between them detailing the company's first purchase. Ondina was very familiar with Club Indigo so it made perfect sense to her that it would be the first verified purchase. The bank however, she had heard of independently from the Purifiers. It was well respected among Purebloods.

Eyes narrowing curiously at Elaine, Ondina's brain ticked over what a purchase like that could mean. But, her attention was quickly drawn away by Elaine's mention of an expert Potioneer. Her head lifted, interest glinting in her eye only dimmed by mild suspicion as she cast a side-ways look at Chloe and Sunny. Did they know? "I... can't wait to try it out." She said calmly, though inside she was filled with a mixture of doubt and excitement. More than once Ondina had gotten her hopes up only to have them dashed.

"I'm... assuming it'll be available to m after my first sale?" She asked carefully, knowing that nothing came for free. She'd have to earn a perk like that. Just like she'd had to earn her place at the table. Slowly, she reached for the paper Elaine had pushed before them, sliding it across the table until it was right under her. She could vaguely hear Chloe discussing her very own requests, but was much too consumed by her own to take interest. It wasn't long, however, until they were pulled back to the job at hand.

"Looks to me like they've kept their doors shut tight from outliers since its opening." Ondina kissed her teeth in thought. "Suppose that's why Purebloods are so fond of it." Ondina mused, knowing that while Chloe might be right about the logistics of the takeover it would need to a little personal touch in the end. "I'm very personable." Ondina added, tilting her head back to catch Chloe's eye, the tip of her tongue pressed against the roof of her mouth as she smiled.

"If we can... persuade at least one seat on the board to side with us..." Ondina tilted her head, thinking about how many heads they've have to turn, nibbling on her top lip as she thought. "Promise an increase in the... right sort of custom. We'd have to prove it's superior." Ondina shrugged, a happy little smile on her pale face. "Piece of cake." Though it dropped a little as she remembered that one bank overruled most in the wizarding world. "But first... first we have undermine Gringotts." 

Elaine Lyra Dupree

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine nodded at both women appreciatively. They were catching onto her plans quickly, which solidified her opinion that these two were the right choice for the job. “I have heard of the Brass Ring,” she confirmed with a small smirk. “I’m sure we can find a way to get that shop into your name.” Elaine recalled the man who used to own it; he had been dead for some time now, so she could easily work her magic to get it into Evie’s name. But as Ondina noted, the sale of the Purebloods bank would have to go through first. “Indeed, very perceptive,” Elaine confirmed.

She watched speculatively as the women poured over the information in front of them. Both women suggested different but viable ideas; the stock idea was something Elaine easily could achieve just from her own coffers, and Ondinas’ idea of persuading the board sat well with her. “I chose both of you due to your persuasive abilities. I’m sure there’s at least someone on the board who would be willing to talk shop with you as they say,” she told them both with an incline of her head. Ondina brought up a fair point however in Gringotts, but Elaine had a plan for that too. “Gringotts is obviously our main competitor, but a lot of those whose blood is pure do not feel comfortable dealing with the goblins who run it. The main reason it has held out for so long is that it has gone unchallenged, not in the way they should be. They’ve become a monopoly in the wizarding world, and I think it’s about time we had a free market, don’t you?” She posed her thoughts as a question, but really it was more of a statement. She didn’t want a goblin handling her precious Galleons, and she knew there were others that felt the same, and just didn’t know of other opportunities that could be given to them. “I have the contact of one of the board members, a Mister Ainsley, Robert Ainsley. He seemed interested in at least hearing out what our company had to say via this letter, so he’s the best place to start.” Elaine shot a look at both women, a smirk playing at her lips. “He also enjoys a good bourbon and cigar, and from my sources has a penchant for redheads.”

@evie
Ondina Nell Weasley

[Deleted]

Evie understood the whole blood-status thing, but at the same time, she didn't really. She knew why it existed, of course, but the taste wasn't terribly different. She mulled over the possibilities of overthrowing the bank in her mind, trying not to be distracted by the promise of the old Enchanting shop and it's contents. Ondina shot her a smile which brought her mind back into focus. But then she just had to mention Gringotts. 

Goblins... ****ing Goblins. In Evie's experience, the bloody worst folk you could find yourself in business with. The Imperius Curse was always useful -if not necessary in some instances- but you had to catch them completely unaware of your presence and spell-casting. Lest you wanted to be faced with old magics as ornery as the Goblin race itself. There was a reason Evie kept only a small percentage of her personal wealth in those ridiculous caves, preferring to manage her money in personally-secured/managed caches. 
 
Elaine shared her feelings on the old, crooked bank, to which Evie quietly added through a sneer, "Cannot stand that hive..." before turning back to peer outside again. Indeed, taking shots at Gringotts was about as productive as kicking a beehive, but should the right weaknesses be exposed, distrust and paranoia were fantastic weapons.

The Ainsley guy sounded like the usual bank-connected pig. Evie had no use for his type, as alcohol made blood sour, and smoke residue ruined the sensation of piercing the trachea with it's own aftertaste. Ah well. Once they were done with him, they'd get their chance to toss him aside with the rest of the rubbish.

"We'll get what you require out of him, My Lady," she assured. "In the mean time, I think I'll see what leverage can be found in his personal files or whatever he keeps at home. I assume you have his address... may I borrow it? The rich always have the most ridiculous secrets."

Ondina Nell Weasley
Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Ondina Nell Weasley]

i am my own.

THOUGH ELAINE WAS QUITE SEVERE IN HER beliefs, Ondina was not. She had no particular feelings about goblins handling her money, in fact she had no feelings for them whatsoever apart from a lingering disgust at their appearance and lifestyle, but she did not say this as Elaine said otherwise. Let the other Purebloods obsess about where they put their money. Ondina would go where it paid well to be. Elaine had yet to let her down. "Couldn't agree more," Ondina remarked with a sly smile.

Ondina sat up straighter in anticipation as Elaine detailed her potential connection. More specifically, his penchant for redheads. A smugness darkened her expression as potential flashed before her eyes. She liked the idea of snaring a fish, even one reeking cigar smoke.

Leaning back in her seat, Ondina turned her head to catch Evie's eye as she smoothed a hand over her shiny red hair. "Well, you bring the booze and cigars," She offered, kissing her teeth and lifting one shoulder as she finished, "I'll bring myself." Ondina had a way of becoming what single-minded men assumed her to be, right before she clamped down on their necks. Although she supposed, if push came to shove, Chloe could quite literally do that for her. It paid to have friends in high places. "We'll give him a night he won't forget." 

Elaine Lyra Dupree

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine simply listened as both women described their very different approach methods to this Ainsley fellow; Ondina would go into it as the voluptuous redhead designed to ensnare him in her web, while Evie would look into every bad decision he had ever made, private or not, just in case he tried to back out of any deal. She was very interested in seeing what the outcome of this trial would be. She had her potioneer working on a cure for Ondina’s asthma, as promised; so far they’d gotten it down to a monthly mouthful of potion that would quell the symptoms completely. Elaine wanted more; if they could get the cure for something as uncomplicated as asthma, then the options were unlimited. It would only be a matter of time before people began questioning who was the real bad guy in this situation, and that was exactly what she wanted.

“Very well then, I expect a report in the next two weeks that the deal has been brokered,” Elaine said briskly. She stood up, smoothing out her pencil skirt as she did, and left the room without another word. Elaine Dupree was not one for goodbyes; the women knew what they were meant to do, and so they didn’t need any more of her time. They had work to do.

Elaine out bitches - you guys can each post once more and then we're all done!

[Deleted]

Evie did not reply to Elaine's brisk exiting imperative. Evie knew better. Their first meeting had been something of a right-time-right-place encounter, just at the beginning of Elaine's campaign. More than once, Evie had seen what happened to those who spoke out of turn or questioned the final word of that woman... It was glorious and thoroughly not worth experiencing first hand. 

Two weeks, though. Psh. Plenty of time. Almost too much. Ah well. The lady was generous. 

Evie shrugged and nodded before cracking her neck and looking over to Ondina. Evie's natural smirk softened into something more adoring. She gazed into Ondina's lovely brown eyes and hummed sweetly. Admittedly, Evie was a little jealous, but she knew Ondina was far better suited for this mark. This banker won't know what will hit him until the moment his life was burning down around him.

"Mmm," Evie began floating toward the ceiling. "Ondina... Sunny, my loves, this is where the fun begins." Evie blew a kiss somewhere between them and waved. "I'll be in touch," she said with a sultry wink. And with that, her form shifted quite suddenly into that of a bat which fluttered rapidly out of the room. Moments later, a distant door could be heard closing. 

[Ondina Nell Weasley]

i am my own.

ONDINA SAT VERY STILL AND RELAXED AS SHE thought of the very many possibilities laid out in front of her. She preened at Elaine's approval and felt sure she could use her skills to complete the task. Plus, she didn't mind pairing with Chloe, she couldn't think of very many she'd prefer to do such a job with. Turning her head, she caught Chloe's eye and winked. They had in the bag.

Chloe left soon after Elaine, but Ondina took her time pulling on her gloves and situating herself. Sunny was very quietly cleaning up after them but Ondina didn't try and engage her in conversation. Small talk was only fun when she was trying to gain something. Instead, she pushed out her chair, wiggled her fingers and said something along the lines of, "See ya, Sunshine," Before she exited the little hole in the wall venue and practically skipped down the street.

[ONDINA OUT]

Elaine Lyra Dupree

NEVERLAND at ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0!