Wining and Dining [FINLEY]

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Today was a very important day - after Fin had been out of the country for what felt like YEARS, Elaine was finally able to reunite with the one person she could still really consider a friend over a follower for dinner. Of course, being the Wizarding World’s most wanted meant she just couldn’t stroll into any old restaurant, so she decided to have a little fun. Ondina Weasley’s tip off with Richie Trudeau had gone off without a hitch, and the boy was now completely under Elaine’s control. It was Richie that Fin would be “meeting” tonight for what would appear to be a business dinner. Elaine had used her money and Richie’s influence to secure a private table at an upscale restaurant in Muggle London - the boy certainly had fine taste - for the two of them to meet.

It was surprisingly comfortable, being disguised as Richie. He was significantly taller than she was, and decent looking enough. Plus she was able to maintain an air of self-importance as she was led to the back of the restaurant where her and Fin’s table awaited them. She had wanted to arrive first to mentally prepare herself for seeing Finley again. She didn’t like how he had just up and left her, but as a gesture of good will towards their friendship, she was willing to give him a chance to explain himself. Taking it upon herself to order a fine bottle of red wine, Elaine studied the menu carefully, eyes flicking up every few moments to see when Finley would finally arrive.

@finley

[Deleted]

Fin was incredibly glad to be back in England, and especially glad to be seeing his best friend again. As frustrating as the whole Elaine vs. Jess situation was, he still loved Elaine like a sister and was ecstatic that they were getting together. He hoped it would mostly be friend talk, and not any crazy Purifier business... but, of course, he would do whatever he asked because that's what people who were basically family did for each other, no matter how much he wanted to convince himself to get out of that situation. He couldn't, not yet, maybe never, he didn't know.

He had already seen Jess, of course, which was also great. He was a little sad that he wouldn't see Elaine's real face today, at least not until after dinner if they decided to go somewhere more private. It wasn't the worst thing seeing her 'Richie' disguise, though. It was always entertaining seeing Elaine as someone else, especially a male.

Finley arrived and gave the Trudeau name and was led to a private room, where Elaine was already waiting. Fin gave the host a firm nod of gratitude, and then sat down across from Elaine's persona. "You didn't have to go all out for me," he teased.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine had to hold her glee in seeing her best friend again; Richie Trudeau was a passionate man but he expressed that through other means. Plus, in a restaurant as posh as this, it wouldn’t be prudent to showcase affection. “You’ve been away so long, I wanted to be sure you knew how welcome your return is,” she said carefully, trying not to wince at the pointedness of her statement. With a snap of her fingers, the best bottle of wine was swiftly brought to their table, uncorked and poured with professional precision, then set in a bucket of ice. As quickly as he came, the waiter left, leaving the two of them alone. Elaine raised her glass. “To your homecoming,” she said simply, clinking her glass against his before taking a deep sip of the liquid.

Setting her glass down, Elaine cleared her throat. “I presume you’ve already seen Ms. Jessavette,” she commented casually. Not giving him the chance to deny it, she continued. “I’ve been doing some thinking while you were away. I believe this...woman, if she makes you happy, then I don’t have a problem with you continuing to see her.” Elaine paused, knowing this would be an enormous load off her best friends’ shoulders. She wasn’t inhuman after all, she did have her soul fully intact the last time she checked. “But,” she held up a finger; he had to know there’d be a stipulation to the allowance. “You cannot tell her anything, and I mean ANYTHING, about me or our work together. Any time you’re away on business for me, it’s business for work, confidential business that could cost you your job if you talk about it to her.” Elaine’s eyes flashed. “If I find out you have leaked anything to her - and believe me, I will find out - you would take care to be more concerned with HER well-being, rather than yours.” She took another sip of her wine, letting the silence fill the small room. “But, if you do not have any objections, then we do not have to discuss this any further,” she said briskly, setting down her glass.

As if he was magically summoned, the waiter was back, taking their orders down for the first course. “Get whatever you want, it’s on my tab tonight,” Elaine said lazily, winking at the waiter as he hurried out of the room. “So, tell me what you’ve been up to these past few months.” It was not a question, but more of a command. Elaine had had trouble keeping tabs on Finley, partly because she was reluctant to do so in the first place. She would rather him tell her everything with just the slightest of prompting, and not because he was forced to by spell.

@finley

[Deleted]

She said he had been away too long and that she wanted him to be sure he knew how welcome his return was. He chuckled, still thinking it unnecessary. To him it didn't really feel like he had been gone that long, but whatever made her happy. "I accept your generous hospitality," he assured her. Fin lifted his glass as it came to him, following suit and letting it clink against hers. "To reuniting with friends," he added, giving a short nod before bringing his glass back to take a sip.

Elaine set her glass down and cleared her throat, which caused Fin to leaned forward with anticipation to what she was preparing to say. At the mention of Jess, his shoulders visibly tightened, and she continued. She said that she had been doing some thinking and... that she didn't have a problem with him seeing Jess? His brow furrowed with confusing, not knowing where else she was going with this and surprised at how this was even starting.  The 'but' came, which caused Fins face to relax, giving him some relief. He didn't expect there to be no more than just acceptance. She went on, saying how he couldn't tell Jess anything about her and what they did together. He nodded absently, in a daze for a moment. She was threatening Jess now, saying that he needed to be concerned about her well being rather than his own. That did not surprise him. In fact, he was relieved that Elaine had said it, otherwise he would have been worried someone else was controlling her or something. There was a silence for a moment, before she added that they didn't have to discuss it further if he had no objections. He nodded once, "I accept the terms," he agreed. He thought about telling her how much this sacrifice meant to him, but he didn't know how to say it - and she probably didn't expect him to.

The waiter returned, taking down their orders. Fin nodded as Elaine said he could get whatever he wanted, and he ordered something before the waiter left. Elaine asked what he'd been up to. Well, not really asked, but he was used to being talk to that way by her. "My mother has written a play," he explained slowly. "Apparently she's well enough that people actually responded to it, and a company was preparing to put it on," he looked down at his drink, he hated talking about his mother but he also didn't want to just leave Elaine in the dark. "So, I was hoping maybe it was different this time," Elaine would know about Fins crazy mother, and the fact that the woman wrote day in and day out, and that Fin was the main character of her stories. It was a horrible was to grow up, being seen as a fictional character by your mother and not a real person. He shook his head, looking back up at Elaine, his head still bowed, "it wasn't."

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine nodded and smiled at Fin as he agreed instantly to the terms. “Then we shall speak no more of it,” she said primly, taking another sip of her wine. Of course, she wanted to say a few other choice words, but she held her tongue. Now was not the time for her to be making an enemy out of her friend; she had already lost one close friend in the past year, and she was not about to lose another. Elaine raised an eyebrow as Fin told her about his mothers newly written play. This wasn’t a new song and dance his mother had done, as she had created numerous stories and productions based on Fin’s life. Of course, the woman didn’t realize that she was just writing about reality, but simply thought Fin was another figment of her imagination. Elaine’s parents hadn’t been all warm and fuzzy - she probably would have killed them off if they had been - but at least they knew she was real. “Has there been any progress in a potential cure?” she asked him tentatively. Elaine’s instinct was to sneak into his mothers room late one night, and take a pillow to her face. Then Fin wouldn’t have to keep on getting his hopes up for some sort of recovery, only to have them dashed later on. She knew that would be a severing bind between the two of them if she acted on this impulse though, so her macabre thoughts were kept inside. She didn’t doubt Fin probably thought she wanted to do it her way, but unless he point blank asked for her help, she’d stay out of it. She briefly wondered if he had told Jessavette about his mother, but realized she didn’t want to know. “Well, anything you need, I’m here to help,” she told him with a smooth confidence.

Wanting to change the subject for both of their sakes, Elaine cleared her throat with a smirk. “I have been making some changes in my life since you went off on your little adventure,” she said, folding her hands on top of the table as the waiter brought over their first courses. Elaine had chosen toasted brioche rounds with creme fraiche and caviar; she always did have a taste for the decadent foods Mudbloods had created in their strange kitchens. “I have decided that I want to venture in real estate.” Elaine popped the first round into her mouth, allowing the sweet and salty flavors to fill her mouth, while Fin soaked in her announcement. “It’s called Refined Holdings, and I’ve already recruited a Public Relations Rep and two realtors. You may know them, Ondina and Evie - they too work at the Ministry,” she said casually. Fin would know both women from both the Ministry and the Purifiers, so she let him figure out the real reason behind her new endeavor on his own. “We’ve already officially purchased Club Indigo, and next up we’re trying to get the wizards only bank in London to sell. We have very persuasive arguments you see.” She paused to take another sip of wine. “There’s a place for you as well of course, part time obviously. If you’re interested.” Elaine could use Fin’s personality and good looks to win over a certain base of clientele she’d go after, and he was always a useful person to have around.

@finley

[Deleted]

Fin was still in a daze when Elaine said they wouldn't speak of the situation with Jess anymore. He didn't even know how to speak right now, anyway, so it was easy enough for him to accept when the subject was changed, even if he did have to change it to his mother. Elaine asked if there was any progress to a potential 'cure' and he shook his head. "It's not that anyone really understands it. I haven't really tried to explain it to many people," he admitted. In fact, he hadn't even opened up to Jess yet about his lovely childhood and why he wouldn't move back to Dublin, even though he did love that city.

Elaine said she was there to help with anything he needed, and his mind flashed to a random montage of things she could actually do for him. Most of them involved Elaine either killing or chastising his mother, both of which were amusing - in imagination form. "Of course," was all he replied.

The subject was changed again and she said she made some changes in her life. Fins eyebrow raised and she spoke about... real estate? Odd. He spoke about the realtors, Evie and Ondina. His brow furrowed a little to remember, then their faces formed in his mind and he nodded. She said they purchased the club and were now looking to get a bank in London. "I mean, of course I'm here for whatever you need, but how could I be useful?"

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine sighed and pursed her lips, the feeling a bit wonky in a man’s body. This was certainly an interestingly unique position she was in; she had only used the Polyjuice potion to transform into the same gender up until now. Between him and Aloysius, she could really have some fun. Both were handsome in their own ways, and sometimes a masculine approach worked for people. It was sexist as all hell, and made Elaine vomit in her own mouth a little, but she was willing to do whatever it took to claw her way to the top. “She...doesn’t know does she?” she asked him, knowing he’d know she was referring to Jess. It had been very hard for Fin to open up about it to Elaine, and she’d been his best friend for almost a decade at this point. “It isn’t fair, what she does to you, what you put up with,” she mumbled, restraining herself from putting a hand on top of Fin’s. She didn’t want anyone to get any funny ideas after all.

Keeping the subject lined up with her new real estate ventures, Elaine cleared her throat before launching into her explanation. She explained how she’d met Sunny, a Squib with a heated hatred of Muggleborn witches and wizards and was in public relations, and how the idea had begun to form that buying up key pieces of real estate in the wizarding world could put her in a prime position when the time came to strike. People were one thing to have in place, but banks? Restaurants? Shops? The more Elaine and the Purifiers had secret control of, the better. She didn’t want to be an open secret like when Voldemort took over the Ministry in the late nineties; no, she didn’t want anyone to know until it was too late. “Well, I need you for moral support of course,” she began with a smirk. “But, I was also wondering if you wanted in? The ah….commission, is quite good you know,” she offered him, her smirk widening to a cat like grin.

@finley

[Deleted]

Elaine questioned whether or not Jess knew about his mother and Fin looked down, shaking his head. "No... no she doesn't. I don't know if I want..." he paused, trailing off a little. He didn't know what he wanted in the terms of opening up about his mum. Elaine was different. This was his closest friend. Jess was his girlfriend, yes, and he loved her but it was a very different kind of bond. Elaine was family.

She started to answer him about how he could be useful in the real estate, and he leaned forward a little. Moral support, he could do that. But she had more, she was teasing him. She asked if he wanted in on the commission and all and he tilted his head to the side, "like... a business partner? I mean, yeah. Yes, if that's what you want. I'd be happy to," he answered.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine nodded, looking sympathetic. Finley’s mother had never been an easy topic of discussion for her friend. It had taken him awhile to even open up to her and Desirae about it, and though she knew his feelings for this Muggleborn were strong, it was too soon. “Well, make sure that if you do want to tell her, she hears it from you. You don’t want her finding out by your mother just...showing up out of the blue one day,” she commented. It was very hard for that to happen, but stranger things had come to pass. Desirae had been taken out by two Aurors after all, and Elaine still found that incredibly hard to believe.

“I do want that,” Elaine told him, nodding in affirmation. “We need our best of the best involved with this business. You have that charm, charisma, and that a pretty face to boot. You’d make a perfect addition to our little real estate team.” She clasped her large man hands together, still marveling at the body she was completely not used to. Was this what it was like at all times to Fin? “They’re convening at the office tomorrow at nine in the evening; I expect you to be there,” she told him, her brow raised. His work at the ministry would be over, but she didn’t doubt he already had plans with Jess. Well, those plans would just have to wait.

@finley

[Deleted]

Elaine suggested that he tell Jess about his mum himself instead of her finding out another way, like mum showing up out of the blue. Fin nodded, "I know. You're right, as usual," he tried for a teasing smile but it struggled to come out. He wished that he didn't have to tell anyone about his mum, "if she wasn't around anymore I wouldn't have to tell anyone about her," he said out loud, and then winced a little. That was a terrible thing to think... but that didn't make it any less true. And it didn't make his desire for her not to be a part of his life any less true. But he didn't have a choice sometimes, like when she was tossing his name around like candy on Halloween.

She confirmed that she did want him to be a partner, talking about his assets and all. He smiled a little, shaking his head when she said he had a pretty face. She told him when the next meeting was and he nodded, not even bothering to rack through his brains to see if he had other plans. "Of course. I'll be there," he promised. "I expect the other members of the team are talented individuals as well, otherwise you wouldn't have chosen them I'm sure," he guessed. He was curious who it was.

He looked at her clasped make hands and back up to her face, "it's weird seeing you like this," he added, but he was amused.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine shrugged nonchalantly, which felt weird in a mans’ body. Too feminine almost, but at least she was dining with just Finley, and not anyone else. She could be a semblance of herself around him after all. She raised a brow at Fin’s next words. “I can have that arranged you know. It would be quick and painless, as though she passed in her sleep,” she suggested casually. She knew the topic of his mother was painful and Finley didn’t enjoy talking about it. But the truth of the matter was if he was going to move forward, his mother needed to be completely out of the picture.

Elaine snorted when he added it was weird seeing her like this. “It’s weird being like this. I mean I have Aloysius of the Cursebreakers as well, but I haven’t taken his form yet. This is the first time I’ve been a male and I have to say, it’s….interesting. Especially when using the toilet,” she admitted with an impish grin. The waiter came and cleared their plates, and Elaine ordered a black coffee and a slice of cake for dessert. “Order what you like for dessert,” she told him, and once the waiter went away she leaned forward again. “In the coming months, there will be certain...people that I would very much like to recruit to my side, if all goes according to plan. Would you be interested in a recruitment mission of sorts? Get them to see our side of things, and sway them to join us?” she asked, her tone businesslike and professional, as if they were discussing a Ministry-related deal.

@finley

[Deleted]

Elaine said that she could arrange that his mother wouldn't be around anymore. That it would be as quick and painles as passing in your sleep. Fin was silent for a moment, trying to take in how simple his life in Ireland would be if he took her up on that offer. But it wasn't a big deal, yet, and he definitely didn't want to condone his mother being killed just because she was a nuisance. Kiling for a reason, sure he could do that, but someone being irritating wasn't a good one. Granted, she wasn't just irritating - she was traumatizing, but still. It was his own problem. "I'll remember that. I think for now I'd rather experiment with my own way of handling it," he answered, genuienely grateful that she was always willing to go to such lengths for him.

She said it was indeed weird being in the male body, especially when using the toilet. He chuckled, shaking his head, "I do not even want to picture that," he muttered, amused. When the waiter came back she told him to order his dessert, and he ordered a strawberry cake with a coffee too, a little less black than hers. He leaned in as she did once they were alone again, talking about recruiting. he nodded, "I think I would probably be alright at that job. I'm not as charming as you, but I do have an honest face," he commented, more musing to himself than to her if he'd really be useful. His mind drifted to their best recruiter, Desirae, and how she could charm anyone into seeing their side. He felt those were big shoes to fill. "I hope I'm not the only one who'll be managing that?" he spoke, his brow furrowing with insecurity.

Elaine Lyra Dupree

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine shrugged with a modest smile on her face; Fin’s answer was the same as it always had been. She had been making this offer to him for several years now, but she knew there would come a day when he would accept it. His mother had caused him enough pain and suffering throughout the years, and in Elaine’s opinion she had lived far too long for her own good. A painless end to her suffering was the best she could hope for; if Elaine had her own way, the womans’ death would be far from that. Still, as a courtesy to Fin, her closest advisor and friend, she kept her darker tendencies at bay.

“Hey, you do it all the time Finley,” Elaine proclaimed, poking him in the arm. She smirked at his comment on having an honest face. “Oh yes, very honest, and handsome. One smile makes girls and boys go weak at the knees; do you think I didn’t hear the girls gab on about you back at school?” she told him, raising her eyebrows while trying not to laugh. “You won’t be the only one of course, but there’s no one I trust more than you. We’ve been through hell and back, you and I, and losing Desirae has only made me less trusting of those who choose to follow me. Without you, who else do I have?” she asked him, starting into his eyes intently.

@finley

[Deleted]

She said that he used the restroom as a male all the time, of course, and poked him in the arm. He chuckled, shaking his head slightly. ”Yes, I know, I know.” That wasn't his point, but of course she was just messing with him. At the talk of his face, she said it was honest and handsome, adding a little bit about his making people go weak in the knees. He rolled his eyes, ”if they were gabbing about me it's because they didn't know me,” he suggested. Yes, sure, he knew that he wasn't an entirely hideous creature, Desirae and Elaine both wouldn't let him forget that.

She said he wouldn't be the only one, but that he was who she trusted the most. Having gone through hell and back, losing Desi... at her last words, 'without you, who else do I have?' he felt a terrible pain run through his chest. He didn't react to it, just gave a short nod, returning her stare. ”Well, you've got me,” he promised.

Elaine Lyra Dupree
(should we wrap this up before my heart b r e a k s)

[Elaine Lyra Dupree]

Elaine smiled at his promise. She knew he was her best friend, her only living friend, one she trusted. It had always been difficult for Elaine to trust people, even at a young age. But Desi and Finley had changed that. She knew it was what set her above previous Dark Lords like Voldemort, and even Grindelwald. They didn’t have anyone they cared for, not really, and she did. That was why in the end, she knew she would prevail.

Elaine stood, smoothing down the jacket her current body was wearing. “I have to be off, much to do as you know,” she said, winking at him roguishly. “I might have Shannon drop something by for you in a few weeks, you’ll be alerted when it's ready. Make sure to guard it with your life,” she added, wagging a finger for emphasis. She laid her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly before leaving the restaurant, proud of herself for getting him to agree to her terms regarding Jessavette. Hopefully the girl would leave well enough alone, and not do any snooping anytime soon, if she knew what was good for her.

end Elaine