Honor Among Thieves [Cas]

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Casimir Elias Karkaroff
January 2028

You didn't go to the dark heart of magical looking to party. At least, true lurkers of Knockturn alley didn't. Rose had to hand it to Casimir, the Poisoned Spindle was quite brilliant in it's cover. It drew in a rowdy crowd that wanted to "live on the dark side" for the night. Feel dangerous. This crowd was completely oblivious to the fact that there could be something beneath the surface. Meanwhile for the true residents of the alley it provided them with the perfect cover they needed to do a number of underhanded dealings without any fear of being caught. The parties provided enough commotion to overshadow anything subtle. 

But Rose wasn't here for an underhanded deal in the main festivities. She was meeting the owner. Rose's familiarity with the Karkaroff was... complicated to say the least. Mostly due to her relationship with the youngest son, Damian. Rose also chose to mostly maintain nonexistent relations with Anastasia, the only girl. Criminals and law enforcement didn't mix after all. She had nothing of value to say about her relationship with Casimir though. When it was mutually beneficial there were dealings between them, when there wasn't they stayed out of each others way. Nothing more. But of course you couldn't ignore the family relations. Both the Karkaroff and Nightshade family had a dark history and could be found in similar circles.

Rose donned a dark cloak, the hood obscuring her face as she walked the dark and eerie alleys of Knockturn, making her way to the Poisoned Spindle. She didn't go in the front door, where you could faintly hear the night's festivities. Instead she headed to one of the back doors. They weren't meeting where any prying eyes might spy them after all. Once inside she made her way to the room they were meeting, knocking three times before opening the door and stepping inside. She pushed the hood of her cloak back only once the door was closed behind her. "Been a long time, Cas," she greeted, smirking just a little as she gaze found the older Karkaroff man.

[Casimir Elias Karkaroff]

January 2028

Cas had a certain distaste for anything that was considered ‘proper,’ and he didn’t much care by whose standards that was. His family name and chosen profession meant that he’d always linger on the margins of wizarding society – having gained notoriety as a purveyor of Dark and questionable objects by most, and known as ‘the artifacts guy’ by wizards who were less bothered by the insinuated ties to Dark magic and more interested in using his expertise as needed before banishing him to the shadowy corners again. But that didn’t mean he was completely immersed into pureblood society, either. Cas had developed a deep distaste for most of his community’s traditions, the outdated social practices and old-fashioned expectations that were deeply rooted in the pureblood mindset. He was willing to do business with anyone if it resulted in a profit, and pretending to adhere to old standards became bothersome and tiring. And delayed the final, if inevitable, result.

Anyway, that was why he didn’t spend much time at the Poisoned Spindle. It was an enterprise, a calculated investment, but not one that Cas spent much time supervising personally. He would never be so brash as the club-goers who came to get a taste of lawlessness for the night, and he preferred his business to be conducted behind closed doors (just as he’d learned at Durmstrang). But the events of the last few years taught him that he needed to adapt if he wanted to survive, and Cas put the interests and future of the Karkaroff family above everything. It was a strange sort of twisted loyalty, really. So even if it didn’t suit his personal tastes, Cas knew there was an advantage to conducting business out in the open, which was why he’d arranged to meet Rose here.

Because if there was one thing he liked about the pureblood community, one subject in which he’d always excelled, it was in understanding the power of a secret. And that was a more potent currency than even cold hard galleons. He thought Rose might have one or two of those for him tonight, a whispered rumor that he could use to gain the edge in his business and keep the Karkaroff family secure for a little while longer. Cas had warned Damian about the Nightshade family before, even if he knew it wouldn’t do any good. They were animals, the whole lot of them. Vicious, ready to destroy anyone it took to get ahead – even if that meant betraying their family. Especially if it meant that. Cas didn’t trust a pureblood with no sense of loyalty, because they all at least had one common cause which could create an understanding between them. In dealing with the Nightshade family – well, the only thing one could be sure about was not to trust a single one of them.

So he might be playing with fire, but the reward was worth the risk. Cas had found a seat in one of the dark back rooms of the club, and he’d started drinking without her. Thinking about his younger siblings always led to opening a new bottle, without fail. He swirled the liquid in his glass as he watched Rose enter the room, and he nodded at her reservedly. “You’re a hard woman to find,” he observed – he supposed he meant that as a compliment, even if his tone was cool. No doubt she’d gone off the grid in one of her family’s hideouts, fresh from another family feud in which she was hunting or being hunted. “Should I get another glass?” he asked lazily, gesturing for her to sit down. Cas had desperately needed a drink tonight, and he’d chosen a dusty bottle this time. No doubt his father would have thrown a fit if he was around to see it.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Casimir Elias Karkaroff
January 2028

Rose couldn't help the wide smile that graced her lips as Casimir spoke. It was the sort of smile you'd expect of a siren to give you the moment you entered it's embrace and your fate was sealed. That twisted, horrible smile that could make your stomach sink. "I was out of the country dealing with a family... disagreement." was her response. A disagreement among the Nightshades was never just that though. Rose wouldn't go into details of it though, as she had other plans in motion regarding her family. No doubt Casimir would hear the news of her plan once they were enacted.

Rose moved into the room, slipping her cloak off and taking a seat across from him. As to being difficult to find... Well there was someone close to Casimir that had gotten quite good at finding her. Her next words were chosen purely to stir up some trouble. "I hope you didn't waste too much time trying to find me. Perhaps you should consult your brother next time." She didn't say which brother she was referring to, but it wouldn't take Casimir long to realize she meant Damian. If any Karkaroff had gotten entangled with Rose Nightshade... Well, it would be Damian.

Rose hadn't been accepting drinks from others for quite some time, but Casimir was safe. They didn't do dealings often, but he was one of those wizards that you knew wouldn't resort to underhanded schemes. So, at his offer, that positively wicked grin softened to a subtle smirk. The sort that was quite normal for her. "I'll supply my own," she answered casually, pulling out her wand and conjuring a glass. While she felt reassured his liquor wasn't poisoned it was still always better to use your own glass. She reached forward for the bottle and filled her glass. Once poured, she picked up the glass and leaned back in her seat. She took a sip as her gaze fixed on the man. "So, what do you want?" It was rather blunt and to the point, but Rose wasn't one to beat around the bush. She was here for business. Clearly Cas wanted something that only she could offer.

[Casimir Elias Karkaroff]

‘Family disagreement’ seemed clear enough in all its implications. Cas coolly studied the swirling liquid in his glass but didn’t respond. His views were rather nuanced on the subject, so hopelessly tangled in a web of conflicting loyalties and an obsession with the bigger picture that even he had trouble understanding his motivations at times. But a dead pureblood was a shame. It was always a shame. Even if one didn’t subscribe to the old-fashioned perspective that magical power was concentrated in old bloodlines, pureblood communities were their own magical phenomenon. Remnants of deep-rooted traditions and old ways of magic that sometimes couldn’t be found in proper society anymore. There were old practices that the community needed to abandon, but at the end of the day – there were enough outside elements trying to tear pureblood families apart. Time, change, forces of ‘good’ versus forces of ‘evil.’ So why did the poison need to come from within too? Why did ancient lines have to die because of petty greed and selfish desires?

Never mind that. Cas had too much responsibility on his shoulders already, ensuring the future and continuity of the Karkaroff line. In the end, the entire world could burn around them and all he cared about was the family vault’s untouched treasures and the ensured success of the next generation. Sod the rest – they could do what they liked. Rose seemed rather pleased with herself at the subtle nod towards Damian (because she certainly didn’t mean Alek) as she folded herself gracefully into a chair across from Cas. She was reserved in her approach towards others, he knew that as well as anybody else, but there was a hint of some emotion he couldn’t quite catch. “I’m not sure that would make the process any faster,” he replied dryly, “Given the constant changes to his social calendar.” Much like Rose’s earlier allusion to her family, Cas left the unspoken implications ringing in the air, waving his wand to fill his glass again as he found himself too close to the bottom.

The faint sound of music pulsed from the door but Cas ignored the signs of the wild party happening a few meters away. Instead he sat back in his chair as Rose surged straight to the point, asking bluntly what he wanted while she filled her own glass (Cas didn’t take much offense – he would have done the same). Cas contemplated on the phrasing of his reply, twisting the glass in his hands while he thought. Finally he leaned forward. “I’ve entered into a rather intense bidding war against the Rosiers and the Notts. An acquisition for my latest venture, very delicate.” Memories were expensive, after all, and people were always reluctant to let them go. Cas wanted it for his Pensieve Gallery, but he detested the fact that he didn’t know why the others were after it. It only made his job that much harder -- even if the intentions mattered much less than the end result. He intended to walk away with that memory, and that was why he'd taken the time to find Rose. She was extremely well-versed in the matter of secrets. “So I suppose I’m looking for…leverage. One of your specialties.”

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Casimir Elias Karkaroff
January 2028

Blood loyalties that Purebloods had was a luxury Rose couldn't afford. Even if she wanted, she'd never trust her family to not stab her in her sleep. For many years, she'd been envious of other purebloods like the Karkaroff's that held family ties so strong. Jealous that there was a that bond. That sentiment had died many years ago though. But, there were new loyalties she could enjoy and hold to. Business loyalty, such as the one she had with Cas. A mutual understanding and degree of trust. It was why she was willing to meet with him so easily. No deal with Cas would hurt her, he'd only bring a deal of mutual benefit.

Rose grinned widely at his retort. Not doubt the traits she liked about Damian were traits that Cas found less than desirable. Damian was a wild card, a moth that liked to fly far to close to flames, toeing the line. "That's true," she answered as she raised her glass to her lips and took a long sip.

She waited as he got to the point. They weren't hear for pleasantries after all. This was a business meeting. So, there wasn't any point wasting time on senseless small talk. She took another sip as he explain, her gaze never moving away from his, hardly even blinking with that intense stare of hers. She got the idea quite quickly. He wanted the other families to back off from the bidding. She straightened, setting her glass on the table. "Are you looking for something that would make them withdraw their bids willingly or unwilling?" she asked seriously. It would determine what sort of leverage he needed, and also the price. Cas was a more honest man then she was, and some people could be bought for the right price. These families included. Though... the was also the matter of what exactly he was trying to outbid them on. "I would need to know what exactly this "acquisition" is. I'd have to determine just valuable it is to both families."

[Casimir Elias Karkaroff]

The pureblood community was entering a crucial period of time. The downfall of the Purifiers meant that the status quo had been upended and everything was up for grabs. There were previously untouchable families that were quickly crumbling, rapid changes in the hierarchy of the community, and it was exactly the right time for a bold move to change your family’s fortune. These times of upheaval could be equally deadly or rewarding. The Karkaroffs had been left very badly off after the last one, and it'd taken decades to start piecing back together their reputation and family fortunes. This time around – they’d chosen their side much more wisely, even if that wasn’t public knowledge, and there was now an opportunity to change their fortunes for the better.

So prudent, cautious Cas had set aside both of those qualities for the time being. He was ambitious too, everybody knew that, and he’d been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time. Some families had turned their attentions inward – the Burkes were in a state of near-collapse – but Cas had decided it was finally time to show his hand a little bit. It was time for a bold move to establish the new power dynamics between families. He was sure Damian and Ana were making progress on that front (bold and decisive were their dominant qualities) but he needed to play his part too.

So he didn’t just want this memory. It would be a valuable acquisition for his new Pensieve Gallery, but Cas was more interested in proving a point with the Rosiers and Notts. “I want them to know it was me,” he said intently, considering Rose’s question. He refined his point a moment later, “They’re going to withdraw their bids and know it was because they chose to go against the Karkaroffs.” It was a description of the situation exactly as he wanted it, and he said it frankly and flatly – he didn’t see any room for compromise in establishing his family’s authority over the other two. That wasn’t his usual style, since he preferred to work from the shadows and avoid making enemies, but that was a safe play. Now wasn’t the time to play it safe. He sighed slightly through his nose as Rose stated that she needed more information and phrased his reply carefully. “A collector has gotten their hands on a memory from a unique source. The wizard lived some three hundred years ago, but no one alive has actually seen its contents.” Cas considered that fact for a moment. “That makes it quite valuable from a collector’s standpoint, once it's been authenticated.”

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Casimir Elias Karkaroff
January 2028

Well now. Color Rose intrigued. She sat up a little straighter, an eyebrow raising just a touch as Cas spoke those decisive words. Rose was someone who prided herself on her information network and knowledge. But even this surprised her. Cas wasn't known for bold powerplays, especially against other pureblood families. It wasn't even just any old pureblood family though. He was moving quite boldly against the Rosiers and Notts, old and powerful families. Was it boldness though? Or madness?

... Well, where was the fun if there wasn't a little madness?

Rose didn't even bother trying to stop the wide, cold, smile that crossed her lips. It was a cruel, ruthless smile, the sort that would send a chill down your spine. "You want them to submit to you," she said, amusement dripping from her voice like poison. Clearly, Cas had Rose's full attention now. Whether having her full attention was a good thing though... well that was to be determined.

Already though, Rose's mind was racing. How exciting. The Karkaroffs boldly moving against other powerful Pureblood families. The Karkaroffs in general had fallen from grace quite some time ago, making way for other families to steal what power they'd once had. You could say the world of Purebloods was much like the nobility of old. The political games, power struggles and betrayal. Families rose and fell. It had been quite a while since the Karkaroffs made a move though. In part, Rose assumed, due to the cautious nature of Cas. It seemed he had more patience then she'd given him credit. He'd waited for the most opportune moment to finally strike.

Rose listened intently as he tiptoed around his explanation. Obviously there was more to it, but it was enough information for her to understand. He clearly didn't want her to know too many details. Smart, considering her line of work. Everyone had a price, even Rose. She reached for her glass and swirled the contents, her eyes half closed as she mulled over his explanation. Finally she raised the glass to her lips and tipped her head back to take a slow sip. "Does it have any sort of personal significance to either family? Or any other sort of importance aside being merely a collector's item?" she asked slowly. Relics of familiar significance could prove tricky, depending on it's importance. Cas would have to play much dirtier if it was such an item, as it might embolden the other bidders to put up more of a fight. Not that she couldn't give him the ammunition for such a fight. If anything, she hoped it would call for such measures. She was, after all, a Nightshade. She thrived in the chaos, especially when it was her own making.

[Casimir Elias Karkaroff]

There was a common language between purebloods, one that separated them from the rest of the wizarding community. Every pureblood knew that their life wasn’t really about them – no, it was about continuing the game that had started centuries ago. It was about learning the right moves and then dancing to the rhythm, and only occasionally interrupting the music if there was something to be gained from it. Cas had taken an overly cautious approach to running the Karkaroff family once the reins had officially passed from the deceased patriarch to him. He knew that the family’s standing wasn’t what it had been once, and that he’d have to be patient if he wanted to win them back some of their previous fortune and respect.

That meant that sometimes he was out of sync with the other purebloods, who didn’t understand this seeming surrender to obscurity. But Cas could see that Rose Nightshade seemed to understand him perfectly, at least in this moment, when he finally said his plans out-loud. The Nightshades were a family that constantly schemed and plotted, only this was usually confined to spats between the different branches of the family. She was an expert in wielding the power of secrets to her advantage, and it was a service that Cas only occasionally asked for. It was expensive, but she’d proven that it was worth the price. Cas gave a slow nod and took another sip of his drink at the sinister amusement that crossed Rose’s face.

They were living in unprecedented times, that much was certain. Cas deliberated on the fact that the other families might be speaking about the Karkaroffs a little differently soon enough, once they’d seen the price that the Notts and Rosiers would pay. Speaking of. Cas unwillingly shared a few more details about the memory, although he kept it vague. It occurred to him that Rose didn’t have any particular reason to stay loyal to him or his galleons, and so employing her was a careful balance of giving up a few secrets while keeping its real value to himself. He considered her question as she watched him intently, and set his glass down a moment later. “Theodore Nott is well-known for his tendency to hoard. I doubt this memory has any special value to him,” he said slowly, considering his first rival and then setting him aside. As for the other… “But this memory might reveal some, ah, unsavory practices of the Rosiers. They won’t submit easily. I imagine it will take some convincing leverage to force them to back down...if any such thing exists," he added pointedly.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade