Deals Fit For A Devil (Open)

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Dathan sat behind the counter at Borgin and Burkes, his loyal wolf Eligos laying beside his chair. As he munched on some heavily salted almonds, his cold eyes watched as an old, wrinkled wizard in a cloak and hood hobbled in using a cane. The old man wreaked of the alley outside, and Dathan was tempted to cover his nose with the handkerchief to block out the stench, but that would make him look like a poor businessman. For all he knew, this crone could be quite wealthy.

The suspicion that the elderly wizard had money grew when the man took interest in five glowing black stones on display, enough to make Dathan rise and walk over. Eligos looked up from his slumber for a moment as his master did so, but then went back to sleep. Dathan picked up more of the stench as he moved closer, but again he decided to grin and bear it.

"I see you are interested in the Dark Stones of Denomolas," said the store owner. "Legend has it with the proper spell, the stones could make even the most noble wizard or witch do wicked things." Dathan didn't know the spell himself, though he wished he did. Still, mentioning things like that about the objects he sold peaked interest in them.

"How much ye want for one, Mista Burke?" cracked the old man. The suspicion of this man having wealth then faded.

"I'm afraid they are only sold as a set," he said. He then gave the price, which was a very high one. The old man gasped and laughed.

"That much... for the lot of them? Five silly stones?" Dathan was now irritated, and nearby his wolf could sense his irritation. He rose and moved a bit closer to the two.

"There is nothing... silly... sold in this store, old fellow," he said. "Now, do you wish to purchase them or not?"

"Supposed I just decide to take'em?" snarled the old man, who went for his wand. Dathan did nothing in reaction. Eligos, however, rose and growled at the man. He was also prepared to leap on the man. The coward scattered away and Dathan smiled at his pet before briefly stroking the fur on his head.

"Good boy, Eligos," he said.

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell skipped down the cobbled streets of Knocktern Alley like she owned it. What reason did she have to be afraid? She was completely able to take care of herself anyone trying to test her would see themselves in a room at St. Mungo’s. Still she kept her hand on her wand just in case, in these time you never knew just who was looking for a fight. Not to mention the pretty girl in the kitty ate sweater wasn’t exactly tough looking. The people looked at her weirdly as she passed, as if she didn’t belong there but if they knew her they knew what lied underneath. Her eyes while sweet and innocent hid the evilness in her soul and her favorite shop was just a few more skips away. She slowed down and tilted her head to the side almost daring anybody to say anything. Her pink kitty cat half sweater and her belly button ring dangling and sparkling in the torch light. Her belly button ring was the only indication she was a Slytherin, it was silver and green and it seemed to slither up and down her belly. ”What?!?” she growled out menacingly to the people who stopped to stare shocking them back into going about their business.

Obviously they did not expect her coldness, or her steel grey eyes to turn their attention on them. Smiling innocently she continued to skip towards her destination until old man nearly ran into her. ”Watch were you’re going you imbecile!” she shouted at him as he tripped of her his footing, not even bothering to help him up. She glared at anybody trying to help as if daring them to give aid to the person who so rudely tried to trample her. Thanking her cat like reflexes she straightened her demeanor and walked calmly into the shop. The jingling bells that signaled her entrance were like music to her ears and her eye’s roamed the shop for anything new. She had been there during the Christmas break but he was always hiding something new for his regulars. Even though her age seemed of Leyshell loved this store and thought the owner was cool.

“Hello, Dathan anything new today and what was with that idiot who came barreling out of your shop?” She used his first name not even caring that she was being awfully casual or rude, he had her respect and he would either respect, fear or ignore her. Considering her father was probably the supplier of this mans goods. Her father often came here and talk to the man, a little to friendly like, and maybe just maybe he knew what her dad was up to. Not that she would ask, she knew he would say nothing even if he did know. Sighing she poked at a statue with her wand, not stupid enough to touch with her hand and not respectful enough to leave it alone. “So anything I might want to buy, and I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone I was here…especially my father.”

@dathan

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Dathan popped another salted almond in his mouth as he heard the door opened. Eligos was on the alert again, but then sat back down when he saw it was only Leyshell. Neither the wolf or his master were overly fond of the girl, but Dathan had to admit she was a great deal less annoying to be around than most her age or younger. He didn't see her as childish, even saw a bit of potential in her due to her "strong" attitude. Besides, her father had been quite useful to him in recent years. Some of the finest and most fascinating objects in his shop were obtained because of Rylyn Conner.

Dathan stepped over to her while Eligos returned to his former napping place behind the counter.

"Your relationship with your father is none of my concern," he said. "Be assured if it is discovered you were here, it won't be by my tongue." He then looked out the window to see the old man peeking into the shop from down the alley. But he bolted again when Dathan's sight caught him. Burke then turned back to Leyshell.

"Now then, you mentioned a interest in purchasing something," he said. Now that was Dathan's business. "I believe I have something you might fancy, and for a fair price too." He then removed a small black box, placed it on the counter and opened it to reveal two ebony, snake-shaped earrings. The snakes had ruby eyes. "For the most part, these earrings seem quite ordinary, which I suppose makes you wonder why they would be in my shop, yes? What makes these earrings intriguing is who once owned them." He then lifted the box and showed her the bottom. The signature on it was "B. Lestrange."

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell’s eyes went wide at the earings, they were beautiful and hers were a bit worn out. The earings that wrapped her ears when nothing less than pure silver mined and crafted by the goblins of course. Even so they had nothing on the craftsmanship of this earings. Her belly button ring seemed too slither more in anticipation. The real intrigue was how the earrings belong to and not to mention the rubies. How had he gotten this and when, was the real question and how many people knew about them. As much as she wanted them she didn’t want to buy something that was high alert. Most of her stuff had been sold and used to pay the debt of the war, so anything of hers would be valuable but also sought after.

Leyshell wasn’t to keen of fighting for her life over a pair of earrings or buying something that might get confiscated and land right back in the shop. Still her eyes lit up after all jewelry was a girl’s best friend and she could just picture them on her. She was already beautiful there for could only wear the best things, which meant imported silk, pricey jewelry and a humongous shoe closet. “How much you selling for and how many people know about this.?” She had no problem matching his price as her dad would just make up the money she spent.

Her eyes were still locked on the jewelry, the odds of it being cursed were high and he hadn’t even took it out of the case. She was no fool, no piece of jewelry was worth her life, tilting her head to the side she smirked “Do you know if there’s any curses on it or are you hoping I pay then see if it kills me.?”

@dathan

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Dathan smiled just slightly when her interest peaked at the earrings. The only time he really smiled was when he was in the process of making a deal. However, he knew her being a student, he wasn't going to get a fortune for them. But given she was a teenage girl and this was jewelry, he could get a pretty penny for them. So he laid out the price, which was high, but reasonable for what he was selling.

"As for who knows, be honored that you are the first... besides myself and the one I bought them from of course," he said. "Though I was planning to put them on display soon. Can't keep something like this a secret forever when some are willing to pay top gold."

Dathan then raised an eyebrpow at the assumption he would kill her after she paid.

"Kill you?" he asked. "Of course not, Ms. Conner. It would be terribly bad for business. You see your father's services are very valuable to me, and I wouldn't want to loose them over his grief and a vow of vengeance for his dearly departed daughter." This was true. Losing her father as an associate could cost him dearly, and if there was one thing Dathan feared, it was losing money and his business.

"Besides," he said. "If the departed Ms. Lestrange could wear them, why couldn't you? Are you not a witch, and a rather gifted one from what I hear?" Dathan then reached for the box. "However, if you're no longer interested, I have some bargain trinkets more fitting of a young girl such as yourself in the back."

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell rolled her eyes she, so the earrings weren’t cursed, and he wasn’t trying to steal all her pocket money for that price either. She lazily reached into her back and pulled out her sack of galleons and placed them on the counter. The good thing about having access to the family vault as well as her own school account she could spend her daddy’s money with breaking into her school account until she needed to. She still had more than enough from the family account to do what she needed. She needed to visit the potion shop Finley’s aunt owed, she that she wouldn’t be there at this time of day.

“Thanks for the deal, Dathan.” she replied with a smirk on her face as he counted the money, it was probably a habit of his with this side of town. She wouldn’t burn him so she waited patiently for him to finish counting. Her hand running over the smooth scratch-less earrings, showing no surprised when the rubies seemed to glow or the snakes seemed to move. It made the jewelry all the more interesting, probably crafted by the goblins, she did have good taste is her father remembers correctly. Leyshell wasn’t sure actually what kept him out of Azkaban but he was sure it was friends in high places. How else could you run a smuggling ring in broad daylight and not get caught. She looked around the store while he counted, quickly pulling the hood of her sweater over her face when people walked in. She didn’t want to take any chances, she was supposed to be in school.
”Is it all there?”

@dathan

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Dathan could care less if Leyshell was supposed to be in school or not. He had no fondness for Hogwarts or it's horde of bratty young wizards and witches. He could care less if she was caught by someone once she left the place. All he cared about what that a deal was made. He slowly reached for the galleons and counted it. He then looked at her with another small and eerie smile.

"Very good, Ms. Conner," he said. "I do hope they bring you years of joy." The sentiment was empty of course. That's how Dathan talked to every customer once they lined his pockets.

Dathan's face turned serious again when the group of people came in. He barely noticed Leyshell placing her hood up in response. Therefore, when he went over to talk to them, it was no distraction from her. She had done business with him, and she was no longer relevant to him at the time aside from the fact that due to those who had just walked in, wizards and witches who looked even more sinister than him, she needed to be out of the shop. Dathan stepped over and addressed them.

"Good day to you all," he said, acting as if they, like Leyshell, were mere customers. "I assume you are looking for something most valuable today. I believe I have what you are looking for... in the back." The grim customers merely nodded and they all made their way to the back of the store.

(feel free to eaves-drop)

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER]

Leyshell pocketed the earrings and then pointed her wand at her feet casting a quick muffling spell. She didn’t want anything to give her away. Nothing would come of that and that stupid canine of his always gave her the creeps, maybe it was because she was a cat person and could speak to cats. It would do her no good today she should’ve brought Zar, she could’ve had him spy for her like always. Putting her wand in behind her back she went close enough to hear what was being said.

It was a little hard to hear but the things she did hear interested her. There had to be away for her to gets hands on more information. Maybe even get her hands in the honey pot so to speak after all she wasn’t exactly lazy when it came to getting things. Tilting her head to side she listened her interest peaking with each passing second. 

Leyshell quickly went to a display and pretended to be looking. It was interesting enough, poking it with her wand to see if it did anything or was just for show. Most of the stuff in here was either cursed or illegal somehow. Leyshell liked things she wasn’t supposed to have and the earrings in her pocket would look great with the new dress she got.


@dathan

[Deleted]

It wasn't entirely impossible for someone in the shop to hear a conversation in the back of it. That, and with his mind on the new business at hand, he assumed Leyshell had went on her way, not sticking around long enough to possibly see her father show up. Whatever the case, he went on with the conversation with his "business associates."

"You know you're risking a lot, Burke," said one of the others, a cold looking old man with black sunglasses and long, gray hair in a ponytail. "What is the wrong people catch wind of this?"

"I'm not the only one risking a lot, and don't forget that," said Burke. "And if you are wise, you would bloody well know that if this plan succeeds, it will be worth the risk. Furthermore, those who find out about the plan will most likely not live to tell others... not with what I have at my disposal."

"Burke is right," said a younger woman with short, brownish-blonde hair in a flowing, black dress. "People have sought the power of such an artifact for centuries, and now it is our hands. If Burke and others have learned to weld its power, we could potentially be unstoppable."

"We WILL be unstoppable," corrected Burke. "But there's more to this all than my new little toy and don't forget that either. In this game, there is always more to it."

"And don't forget you're not running the show, Burke," said the old man. "You best know your place come time."

"I'm well aware of my place in this matter," said Burke coldly. "And I suggest you all know yours as well. Any thought of back-stabbing or betrayal could cost us everything... and will be dealt with."

There followed more chatter and more specifics about the plan, then eventually the group began to part.

LEYSHELL NICOLE CONNER

[Deleted]

Rylyn walked into the shop on a mission, he needed to speak to Dathan about his recent order. It was hard walking down Knocktern alley when the newbies only see you as the Wizengamot, still none the less he was surprised to see a person who looked shockingly like he daughter from the behind. She nearly sprinted out of the shop after he entered, shrugging it off as the need to write her, he continued to look for Dathan. “Mr. Burke, I think we need to talk about your latest request.” he watched the window as the girl finally walked away from the window but in her place was an old man…strange.

It seemed this side of town got stranger as he got older, hopefully all the crazies would be gone before his own daughter was walking down the cobbled streets to this shop. If the shop was even standing in future, he didn’t doubt it. Still he wasn’t sure exactly what Burke needed, he had recently got some enchanted items from Egypt he might be interested in but other than that, he did not know.

The old man walked in and every thing about his posture scream trouble, he hoped he was gonna get treated to a show for his troubles. @dathan

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The old man also had a smile on his face. He had heard a great deal, and now he felt he had the cards in his favor. Let Dathan's dog tried to attack him now. He would have Dathan's shop closed down and its owner in Azkaban for the rest of his life. When Burke heard the voice of his co-hort in the dark artifacts business, Rylyn Conner, he stepped out from the back. His previous company had already left through the rear exit. he was about to address Rylyn when he saw the wicked grin on the old man's face, and knew exactly why the man grinned. The man was a fool though, even more foolish then he was when he tried to steal the stone. he had no idea what Burke was capable of... or what he was willing to do.

"Good day, Mr. Conner," he said, having no intention of telling the man his daughter was just in there. Again, he simply didn't care to. "Excuse me for just one moment, and then we can conduct our business." He then turned to the old man with cold eyes. "You heard things, did you not?"

"Yessir, I did," laughed the old man. "Enough for a fine tale to the Ministry unless ye gain my favor by handing over those stones I want." Burke turned and smirked at Rylyn.

"Blackmail, he confronts me with blackmail?" he said. He then turned to the old man. "Never use a minor sin to confront he who has done worse... even unforgivable curses." He then pulled out his wand and aimed it with great swiftness. He took no time and gave no hesitation in uttering the forbidden curse. "Crucio!" The Cruciatus Curse put the man in unspeakable pain.

"Please... Mr. Burke... it's too much!" cried the old man.

"The Cructiatus Curse tends to be," he said. "Now, what was this about going to the Ministry?"

"I wish to do nothing of the sort, sir! I beg you, sir, I will do anything to end this suffering!"

"Very well," nodded Dathan. "I will end your pain."

"Thank you, Mr. Bur..."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!!!" And with that, the old man fell dead. Burke only wanted to use the Cructiatus to not allow the old man a painless death. "Eligos..." The wolf then stepped out, grabbed the old man with his fangs, and dragged him to the back. Burke then turned back to Rylyn.

"Now, about your business?" he said, motioning to a seat at the counter as if the horrid scene had not just took place.

[Deleted]

Rylyn looked at the man and clapped, he was thoroughly entertained. Burke than turned his attention to Rylyn and his eyebrow shot up. “Yes, you were saying something about needing supplies. When we talked earlier” The only reason he would come here was talk to business, obviously he supplied majority of the stuff here so why buy it? If he wanted it he would just keep it. Still Burke had the best selection of jewelry and his anniversary was soon…so was his daughter’s birthday. Looking around real quick he figured he’d just get them something out of the family vault. The amount of goblin made jewelry in there was shocking.

”It seems that some of my competitors are getting caught and some have tried to snitched.” Rylyn began to explain. He wouldn’t want his position at the ministry to be compromised and he needed people gone ”I’d be willing to exchange your request for something other than money…I need certain people to keep their mouths shut…I don’t need my name slandered.” he finished. Surely Burke would agree, he wouldn’t give up his precious gold and Rylyn didn’t have to get his hand dirty. Of course he owned the smuggling business and long since passed his smuggling days but paper trails were traceable. He looked at his shady business partner and looked in him in the eyes ”Are you in?”
@dathan

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Dathan did nothing when Rylyn applauded his diabolical deeds. There was nothing special about what he did. An old, crooked man needed to be silenced, probably for a good many reasons to along with the blackmail attempt. He no longer even gave the old man consideration once Eligos dragged the corpse out of view, then shortly returned to sit at his master's side. Dathan stroked his wolf's head once as he listened to Rylyn's proposition.

Once the man was through, it didn't take Dathan very long to think things over. He didn't have to spend a single gold coin for the much desired merchandise his top smuggler had acquired for him, and on top of that he could do away with those who would probably not only try to discredit Rylyn, but pry into the secret dealings of Dathan and his other associates as well. Why not take precaution and get rid of them before any of that takes place? Dathan turned and gave his smuggler a small, empty smile and single nod.

"I think I we can do business, my friend," he said. "I have... connections that will make fast work of them with no trace back to you or I. Shame I will have to part with some of my gold to obtain the services of this connections, but on the other hand, it's particularly frightening what these connections are willing to do in order for their pockets to be lined with a few galleons." Dathan then sat and ate another almond, his wolf lying by the stool again. "I trust you have the list of names?"


@rylyn

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Rylyn nodded and handed him the list, smiling slightly. He was glad he hadn’t wasted his time coming here and hoped burke’s connections would get it done fast. With everything going on and all the attacks recently law enforcement was cracking down. The sheer number of cases he had to preside over was tiring and he didn’t think he needed to warn burke about association. If his people got caught Rylyn would get them off but need not be affiliated. He wasn’t to keen on losing his job or going to Azkaban, nodding and turning towards the door slightly.



“Im, assuming that is all our business for today, unless you need something then ill be off.” He said starting towards the door but leaving time for Burke to say something. He was a polite grown man who respected his elders…even though he knew not how old his partner was. Just that they had done business for awhile.
@dathan

ooc: sorry it's so short i wanted to finish before i knocked out.

[Deleted]

(It's all good)

So the deal was done, and the operation would go smoothly. Dathan couldn't afford to go to Azkaban, nor could he afford to provoke the anger of certain people who relied on him to continue to be as crafty and cunning as he had been so far. He watched as Rylyn went to exit, and barely moved outside of verbalizing his answer when the smuggler asked if he needed anything else.

"Nothing at the moment," said Dathan. "Just remember to fulfill your end of the bargain and ensure safe delivery of the items I requested. I am not the only one relying on the arrival of those items after all if you understand my meaning." He trusted in Rylyn for the most part. The man had never failed him. But the importance of his recent request to his wicked ally made Dathan a bit more cautious and even... admittedly... a tad paranoid. It was the most important order he had ever asked for, and if it was put to its full use at the time needed, his forces could achieve incredible power in the wizarding world... the same power Voldermort failed to achieve.

"Good day, Rylyn," he said. He then looked over to the room where the old man's body lied and headed that way, saying something more. Rylyn was a bright man, and would very well know what business Dathan was going about next. After all, he very well couldn't have a body rotting in the back with customers coming in and out.

(End Thread)

@rylyn

(Just tagged you in case you wanted to read it XD )