Left Behind [Maclan]

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

Rose didn't often run her own errands, but today happened to be different. The shop in question was by appointment only, and thus she couldn't send her house elf on her behalf. The Hebrides islands in general were chalk full of wizarding shops that carried goods that you couldn't find anywhere else in the UK or Scotland. The errand itself was quite quick and as Rose had left the shop she was confronted by quite the commotion.

A magical creature had gotten loose at the menagerie across the street. It was a new specimen and not used to being handled. So, when a less experienced shop keeper had tried to feed the venomous creature it'd struck, biting the shop keeper and escaping. It'd bitten two other patrons of the shop being finally being caught by the owner and returned to it's cage. This particular creature's poison was the variety that would send any bitten into a seizure as their blood started to solidify. If left untreated it could kill a person in less than half an hour. So, of course, the shop had immediately called St. Mungos for healers skilled in creature injuries. 

By the time Rose had stepped out of the shop, her errands done, it seemed most of the commotion was starting to dwindle. The patients had been brought outside and two were already treated, while a healer kneeled over the third, administering the antivenom. Rose paused momentarily, her cold gaze quickly taking in the situation. Rose, as a healer herself, wasn't just talented. Even she was aware that her skills went well above that of even most healers. So it wasn't hard for her to piece together what had happened. She could even identify what antivenom it was just form the color. 

The scene only held her attention for a few moments, before she turned to leave. It didn't concern her. She wasn't a healer that took care of just anyone in need. No, she was quite selfish in that way. She only healed those who could pay her. She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a cigarette as she walked, lighting it and taking a long drag. Rose let out a breath, watching the smoke drift away and was about to take a second smoke when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Rose's upbringing had taught her to always watch her back and to never ignore that feeling of being trailed. Immediately her head turned sharply to look behind her, her eyes like daggers as she stared at the person that had followed her.

[Deleted]

Mac was always happy to go on out of hospital missions when needed, so when the call came in to go to The Hebrides islands, he was right on it. Mac was often to go-to guy for these emergency healing tasks, especially when there was a time restraint on the loose. After a quick briefing by his boss - he gathered his supplies and apparated to where he needed to be.

The people in the shop were in a panic, as where others around that had seen the commotion or were shopping with friends and family nearby. Mac was used to people looking at him with those big eyes. Those big 'here comes our hero' eyes. He didn't mind those looks, but when he didn't manage to save someone... that was when those eyes changed to something much, much worse.

Thankfully, he was well versed in venom. He planned to give the store owner a talking to about being more prepared after he was done saving the victims. Due to the nature of the creature, he had to inject the antivenom directly into the bloodstream. Law enforcement moved people out of the way as he did the work, calm as a cucumber.

When he finished, he stood, fully prepared to make a speech to the owner even though he was healing up -- but then he saw something up again. He saw blonde hair, shoulders that reminded him of days watching her walk away with his brother, moments when he wanted to chase after her and tell her she was making a huge mistake. "Rose," he whispered, before starting to walk in the direction she had gone.

He waved a hand to brush the cigarette smoke out of his face, trying to decide if he had the courage to speak. Or rather, trying to decide if he had any control over his faculties at all - other than the feet that were carrying him to her. Finally, she turned to face him and he froze.

What. Who. Who was this?

This wasn't Rose. This was a version of Rose he had never seen before.

This was terrifying.

He didn't speak.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

Rose felt this horrible sinking of her stomach as she set her gaze on the one who'd been following her. For the briefest of moments she saw Anton. Just the mere memory of his name made her blood boil. Thank god though, it wasn't him. No, this wasn't Anton. The family resemblance between full blooded siblings had tricked her eyes momentarily. This had to be Maclan, Anton's brother. It'd been many years since she'd seen him but she knew him. The horrible memories of Anton made sure that she'd never forget his face, and thus she'd never forget his family.

Rose's memories of Maclan weren't horrible. He'd been a child her own age at her family's manor, his parents employed by her family. He'd been quite tolerable growing up, and someone who'd shared her strong interest in healing. Better yet though, he'd stayed out of the feud between the Nightshade children, as far as she knew, and never sided with one. Well, she wouldn't bet money on that anymore. She'd thought his brother Anton had sided with her and she'd been clearly wrong.

Rose brought the cigarette to her lips, her gaze intensely meeting his own, waiting to see what he might do. Strangely though, Maclan said nothing. Just stood there, frozen. She took just a short puff from her cigarette, holding it in her fingers as she lowered her hand. He seemed quite stunned. Well, at least he wasn't going to try to hurt her. If that'd been his intention he would have done something already. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Maclan," Rose finally said, breaking the silence between them.

[Deleted]

She brought the cigarette to her lips and he had a hard time opening his own. He opened his mouth, closed it again, and waited. She took a puff from her cigarette and finally spoke. The words helped break him out of his stupor momentarily and he shrugged, putting his hands into his coat pockets. "I've seen plenty of ghosts in my time, Rose," he commented, his usual haphazard smile starting to grace his lips, "I'm grateful you're not one of them. I'll admit, it's hard to keep track-" he stopped, not sure if it was rude of him to say what he was thinking.

About how, in her family, any one of them could be a ghost at any moment.

"I was uh," he paused, "healing some people back there at a pet shop. I'm technically on the clock-" he looked back for a moment, then back to her, "I guess I have your family to thank for my career anyway," he added. He wasn't sure if he sounded like he was babbling. It didn't really matter anyway. If Rose felt her time was being wasted, she'd say her goodbyes and walk away, right?

He realized he technically shouldn't have gone after her while working, but it was impossible not to. After... so many years. More than five? Years before Anton died -

And that's when it clicked. Who would be the best person to give him clues about his brothers death? Rose would have information, ideas... maybe even motive. He felt the pit sink into his stomach that he always carried with him. The pit regarding whether or not he actually cared about avenging his brother.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

While he'd gotten out, his comments reminded Rose that he had been raised, at least knowing, the chaos of the Nightshade family. Hearing about and sometimes witnessing the atrocities they inflicted. Certainly, there were a great many ghosts. "Not for lack of trying," she answered smoothly. Of course she'd had a number of attempts on her life, one as recently as last summer. "As you know, Nightshades play dangerous games." Thankfully it seemed he'd gotten away rather unscathed. Most didn't.

She took another drag on the cigarette as he started to speak. The words seemed clumsy, as if trying to figure out what to say. Her gaze traveled down, eyeing the St. Mungos healer's uniform he was wearing, before moving back up to his own. "Clearly," she answered. It seemed he'd kept up with the healing. Something that she wanted to feel a sense of pride in, but she'd long since forgotten how to feel that way towards others. "I'm sure my family would be flattered by the comment, but I don't advise telling them. They'd think you owe them should you bring it up." The Nightshades loved underhanded tactics. Making someone feel indentured to them was just one of many tools.

Rose, for a moment, felt like she should just leave. To keep Maclan in her past like his brother. But she stood her ground, just a mild sense of curiosity keeping her in the conversation. After all, Maclan had been the one child growing up that had shared her interest in healing. They'd learned a great deal together. "St. Mungos is a good hospital, I hope it's treating you well," she found herself saying. Perhaps at one time she'd dreamed of working at the hospital. But that was before she'd understood the weight her name carried. And before she'd finally realized how cruel the world truly was. She'd let the dream die when the Rose Maclan knew died.

[Deleted]

He laughed a little at her comment about the 'trying'. It wasn't surprising to him that some in her family wanted her to be a ghost like the rest of them. It also wouldn't surprise him if Anton had felt the same way about her, though he never really discussed that sort of thing with Anton. He just knew the kind of person his brother was. "Seems like you keep winning those games, right?" he questioned."That doesn't surprise me."

She eyed his uniform, which made him feel a little stupid for telling her what he was doing there. She said her family would be flattered by the compliment but to not mention it to them, due to owing and whatnot. "Good point. Our secret?" he suggested lightheartedly. Even though he knew she was right. It wasn't as if he needed to get into all the things he owed to her family... he knew he owed them for removing an abusive older brother from his life.

Mac had a moment of trying to decide whether it was time to walk away, before she spoke. Then he felt like he didn't want to end this... reunion just yet."They are. It is. Things are going really well," he assured her. Then he glanced back toward the pet shop and turned back to her."What are you doing out here today? I can run back and report if you want to grab lunch after," he suggested. "Nothing funny, just a childhood catch up," he suggested.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

Rose had become quite adept at the violent games of betrayal her family enjoyed. Far more adept then many of her relatives would like. There was a reason she was the only one still alive out of her full siblings. But again, it wasn't for lack of trying. Rose was a survivor. Unfortunately, you didn't come out unscathed. It would still change you. As her upbring had finally shown her. There was a reason there was no such thing as a good Nightshade. If she'd had a weaker heart his words might have stirred something, because of what it truly meant to win those games. Now though, she was someone who'd long given up on escape and accepted her fate. "I am my father's daughter after all," was her simple response. Something that, as a child or teenager she would have loathed to say. But now it was just a fact. A horrible, vile fact that she didn't even hesitate to admit.

His personality hadn't changed much in his time away it seemed. It was relieving, in a way. He hadn't been scarred like many with close ties to her family. Hadn't been ruined by them. "Of course," she smirked as she agreed.

His reassurances were nice. Again, it was nice to hear he was doing well. Better than most that had worked for the family. He'd been smart to move to the UK. Where here family's influence was minimal and you could enjoy a proper life. It was also a renowned hospital, so a good place to pursue a healing career. It seemed like the brief encounter might end here, until he surprised her by continuing. Wanting to grab lunch and "catch up". Rose raised an eyebrow. "This and that, nothing special," was her vague response of her own business. Normally accepting an invitation to lunch was unappealing. What was there to be gained from the encounter? But this time... Well, perhaps it might be good to met. He was a piece of her past. A lost piece. "I have some time to spare," she answered slowly, accepting.

[Deleted]

He shuddered internally at the thought of her father. The man was truly a horror. Mac didn't know all the details, of course - he avoided all that. But he knew that her father was not someone to cross. Not someone to even be in the same room with, if he could help it. His parents didn't feel the same. They felt the man was admirable and his power inviting. He didn't speak to it now, to the fact that she was her father's daughter.

He felt bad that she had to be.

She agreed to keep it a secret that he really had her family to thank for his career, thank goodness. Her smirk upon agreeing was a little concerning, but he didn't press on it. He knew better than to ask a Nightshade too many questions.

He remembered a time when Rose was the only one he really could ask questions.

He tried to retrain his composure while waiting for her response. She was vague in why he was here shopping or whatever, which wasn't a surprise. But then she did agree to grab lunch (sort of?). She said she had time to spare at least. Maybe... maybe he could ask about Anton... or at least open the gates to seeing her again to ask about him later.

"Give me ten minutes," he suggested, "I'll meet you back here," he added.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

Rose wasn't necessarily "up to no good" currently, but that still didn't make her willing to share her business to others. Even those she trusted weren't always privy to the knowledge. Knowledge was power, and she preferred to keep hers. Maclan, of course, was different from others of their childhood but that didn't mean she trusted him. It had been many years, after all. People changed. That and the last time she trusted a Williams she'd been badly scarred. She likely wouldn't do so again.

Rose nodded as he asked for ten minutes. No doubt he had to finish his work beforehand. He had, after all, walked away from a patient. "Go on," she answered casually, waving him off to finish his business. She would wait. Maybe she shouldn't, but that small part of her curious about how he'd been over the years kept her from leaving.

As she waited for his return, Rose found a bench and sat down, a leg crossing over the other. She took out her phone, eyeing the most recent message, before tapping away a response. Then, she sent out another text, asking one of her contacts to look into Maclan. She didn't think he was into anything shady, but she was a paranoid person. She'd rather have all the information ahead of time, even if it was nothing. It would probably be a few days until she heard back, so after sending off the requested she locked the phone ones more and pocketed it. She lay her clasped hands across her knee, her eyes scanning the sleepy hamlet as she waited for Maclan's return.

(I'mma just say he left so that you can jump right back to him coming back)

[Deleted]

She nodded and told him to go on, waving him off. He apparated back to the scene and spoke to those he needed to, quickly letting his supervisor know that he was going to take a lunch break and everyone was going to be fine and settled. He was focused while finishing up his work, even if the thoughts of how Rose Nightshade had changed were playing in the back of his mind.

He arrived back where he had left her, spotting her not far off on a bench. He walked over, hands in pockets. "Hello again, Rose," he greeted, giving one of his signature smiles. She'd recognize that smile. The one like looked like he had a happy little secret but anyone who knew him well knew that he just looked like that most of the time.

"I don't know the area too well, do you? Any suggestions?" he asked. Then it crossed his mind that she was a lot more wealthy than he was, but he could take the financial hit if she chose somewhere super fancy. Plus anywhere too fancy would need a reservation right?

He was overthinking this. Still in shock.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

Rose pulled out a cigarette at some point, lighting it and taking a long and slow drag. As she let out the smoke, her eyes closed. She let the numbing affect of the cigarette wash over her, calming the emotions that had tried to dig their way up to the surface when she'd seen Maclan. It had also help silence the memories and reminders of Anton. Thank god he didn't look much like his brother, just enough of a family resemblance to make sense but not enough to ever be mistaken. Rose personally didn't know what she'd have done if Maclan looked like her ex. Each following drag on the cigarette helped subdue the storm in her mind, like closing a lid on a jar and burying it on the deepest and darkest shelf, never to be seen again.

Maclan wasn't gone long, but when he returned he greeted her with a smile that was all too familiar. It pulled at the memories she'd just subdued and Rose wondered if she needed to increase the numbing agents in the cigarettes. She took a final drag, a long one, on the cigarette, before tossing it and stomping it out with her foot as she got to her feet. "There's a small pub just down the road. It's the only place you'll find nearby." she answered with a smirk. It was a small wizarding hamlet after all, there wasn't much but at least the Scottish would always have pub. Plus, she'd done business there once or twice. It was decent enough and the food was always fresh.

Rose started to lead the way to the pub in question, making sure to keep pace with him. It was still so strange to see a boy from her past now a man. "Have you been at St. Mungos since you left Russia?" She asked, finally switching to Russian so they could have a more private conversation. She wasn't worried about anything being said that would matter to eavesdroppers, but old habits died hard.

[Deleted]

She was smoking, which as a medical professional made him a little wary of her habits - but he also watched his friends do wild things on the weekends and didn't really stop them...plus, a cigarette was just another fascinating piece of science in a way. 

She stomped on it and stood, mentioning a small pub down the road being the only place nearby. He nodded, accepting that answer. Her smirk was... different but still familiar somehow. It was confusing to see her like this. Hell, it was confusing to see her at all. 

She started to walk and he moved in step with her, walking side by side. "Pretty much," he answered. "Had to do a lot of training which took a while and then just been working there ever since. I do my own experiments on the side often," he cleared his throat - eyes ahead - slightly regretting admitting that to Rose. "How long have you been around here? When did you leave?" he tried not to seem eager with his questions, but the back of his brain was tickling.

She, of course, may know something about Anton's death. 

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

December 2027
@mac

It was a good thing the "extra" ingredients of Rose's cigarettes were odorless. No doubt Maclan, as a healer, would be horrified if he knew what had been added to them. They weren't your normal cigarettes that you bought at the store. No, they were laden with herbs and other concoctions that made them numb one's emotions while also being highly addictive. But it was the only way Rose felt she could maintain some semblance of normalcy and not succumb to the raging fire inside. A fire that had been ignited after Maclan's brother died and never gone out.

It was quite strange to be walking side-by-side with Maclan in a remote wizarding village. A place you'd never expect to come across an old acquaintance from your childhood in Russia. Yet somehow, fate and crossed their paths. It was almost nice to hear he'd been at St. Mungos since. Far from the chaos that was her family. Though, considering the events of the Purifiers only recently it had no doubt not been a peaceful time for him. "No doubt you have many stories to tell. Not many healers get to experience what you must have the past few years." Rose had chosen to stay out of the "conflict", as picking sides always ran a risk of choosing the wrong side. She preferred to observe such events and merely benefit from the chaos.

His next questions were ones she had to think on. What to tell him, if anything. She glance at him out of the corner of her eye, deciding she wanted to gauge his reaction and how much he knew. His brother had already taught her not to fully trust anyone, no matter how long or well you knew them. "Here and there. I've gone where I've pleased," was her vague answer, her gaze still focused on him out of the corner of her eye. "Russia hasn't been my home since Aleksandr died," she added. Aleksandr was Rose's younger full blooded brother. Anton and Aleksandr had died the same day. Would Maclan know that? He'd already been gone by the time of Aleksandr's death, but he would have known that Aleksandr had been her last remaining full sibling when he left.

[Deleted]

She mentioned that he may have stories to tell, and that the past few years had been unusual for healers. "We have had... a heck of a year," he agreed, shaking his head with a chuckle. "It's been exhausting, but honestly I've learned more than I think was planned. So I didn't mind," he cleared his throat, looking ahead. "I mean, I don't want anyone to suffer but..." he trailed off. If anyone would understand interest in experimentation, it would be a Nightshade. But maybe she didn't want to hear about things that reminded her of home.

He had no idea what she was currently up to, or where she stood with them.

At his question about where she had been, he knew that he had asked too much at once. She said she went where she pleased, not surprising. She said she hadn't been living at home since her younger brother died.

"Oh." he paused a moment. He had heard Aleksandr had died but... when was muddy. He knew it was close to Anton's death but... "condolences, Rose. I haven't - I regret not saying anything to you about it," he cleared his throat. "Or about Anton," he added. He wanted to admit to her that he was glad when Anton died. That a part of him felt free. But...

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade