Wherever the Wind Blows // Dathan

[Deleted]

Morgaine finished off a pile of paperwork on her desk, flicking the finished pages onto a larger pile with her finger as they were done. Her senior clerk had taken maternity leave - ugh - and she was loathe to go through the tedious process of hiring someone to fill the job just yet. Besides, her father had always told her that it was good for the owner to keep a finger on the pulse of any business. The first time he'd told her, her reply had been, at what point should the finger become a knife? He'd laughed and treated it as a joke, and as a result she had developed her own philosophies on the matter.

She had once had a storefront selling some of her wares, run by a small woman with beady eyes who she was convinced had been stealing from the till. When said woman tragically passed away, Morgaine had decided to close the shop and expand the business in different directions. It had proved a wise decision ever since. She had seen the other shopkeepers, in Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, scraping by and pleased over the smallest of sales. She, on the other hand, was among the top five alchemical suppliers in the world, and had her eyes on first place.

She finished the last of her papers and checked over the books quickly. Her mangy cat, Samsara, jumped up onto the desk and headbutted her shoulder gently. She stroked his fur absently as she double-checked an entry, then frowned as she realised the implications. They were running dangerously low on unicorn hoof powder, and tracking the darn beasts was illegal except to the proper authorities. She took Samsara onto her lap and scratched behind his ears as she pondered, then smiled as she settled on a decision.

"Up you get, my love," she told Samsara as she shifted him off her lap. "I need to make a quick trip into town. Be good."

She stood up, and apparated with the customary pop. She opened the door to Borgin and Burkes, her friendly mask mostly in place.

@dathan

[Deleted]

Burke had been busy that evening. First there was a few of his "associates" dropping by to discuss a few quick plans regarding the even bigger plan ahead. And then a buyer interested in some books from Egypt that contained some rather frightening spells. Burke did not ask questions as to what the buyer wanted to use the spells for. All his cared about was that thee buyer was willing to pay top galleons for them. Besides if the buyer used them for crimes against the Ministry, Burke could hardly been given a ticket to Azkaban for selling the books to the man. What the man did with them was hardly his affair.

Burke had just finished the transaction with the man when Morgaine came in. Burke only gave her a brief look and nod before concluding his business with the buyer. He would make time for her when the time he made for the one lining his pockets was over with. His wolf Eligos greeted her though, and in an unusually friendly manner, sniffing and licking her hand. Morgaine was one of the few people other than Dathan that the canine liked.

"A pleasure doing business with you, sir," said Dathan to the buyer, though in his cold, emotionless voice. "Do come back any time." The buyer then left happily with the books. Burke now turned his full attention to Morgaine.

"My dear Ms. Deluna," he said. "What brings you to my humble shop tonight? Need something to deal with an ill-tempered client from your own business?"

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine browsed the items on display in the shop while she waited for Dathan to conclude his business. She was barely interested in most of it, but she did find it interesting, in a detached way, to see what other witches and wizards looked for in their spare time. She considered examining a pretty locket on a stand more closely, then thought twice about it, remembering an incident from her childhood when her mother had brought her to the shop and she had nearly fallen into a strange glass vase. Her mother had pulled her out by the legs, but the soft, cold sensation of fingers on her face and the whispering in her ears had haunted her nightmares until she was almost twenty.

She turned as Dathan's previous client left, tucking a stray tendril of hair behind her ear, and smiled. As always, it never reached her eyes, but most people seemed to ignore it. She laughed softly when Dathan suggested she might need help with a troublesome client.

"No, thankfully. It seems they've gotten the message to pay up, on time and in full, ever since you sold me that beautiful... ornament for my office. No, unfortunately today I'm after something slightly more mundane."

She moved away from the shelves, wary of standing too close lest she knock something - or have something knock her.

"It seems one of my runners has lost his source for a particularly rare ingredient, and I was wondering if you might be able to help? For the usual fee, of course," she smiled.

@dathan

[Deleted]

When Eligos saw Morgaine was there on business and not to visit him, the wolf made his way back to his master's side. The wolf was not a very social creature to begin with, so it hardly bothered him.

Dathan smirked when Morgaine reminded him of the object he had sold her. He had read about what it could do to one's enemies, and it was nice to know the legends were true should his shop ever come across another one of said objects.

"I'm glad my wares can be of service to you, Morgaine," he said. Calling her by her last name when she entered was merely a formality in front of the other client, who was now gone. Dathan knew Morgaine well. Both shared dark hearts and... special connections to certain other parties.

He then listened as she spoke of needing a rare ingredient and hoping she could get it at the usual fee.

"Well, it depends on how rare," he said, ever business minded. "Some ingredients are harder and harder to come by these days, even with my connections and smugglers. But I think I can cut a deal with an old friend, my dear Morgaine. So tell me, what is this rare ingredient you seek?"

Dathan was tempted to tell Morgaine about the conversation he had with his associates earlier in the evening, given she would probably know of either know of some of them. However, he had been sworn to secrecy, and it would be foolish to break such an oath regarding those folks.

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine barely noticed Eligos, so caught up with her own thoughts was she, but in the back of her mind she made a note to pay him some attention next time she visited. She was, as a general rule, more of a cat person, but every dark witch's soul sings a couple of notes in tune with wolves and their wild, nocturnal nature. Not for the first time, she considered asking Dathan where he had obtained him, but business matters were at hand, so she left it.

She frowned and sighed when he mentioned the increased difficulty in obtaining supplies.

"I know, it's absolutely ghastly. Do you know, that wretch who fetches the Scandinavian dragon scales tried to double the price on me just last month? I let him know that under no circumstances are his poxy scales worth a galleon a kilo. At those prices, I may as well be buying retail."

She tutted irately at the memory, then shook it off.

"But, today I discovered that no one has seen or heard from the man who collects the 'natural excess' from unicorn hooves in a very long time, and my supplies are dwindling. He's probably off enjoying a pint in some low dive, or lying at the bottom of a crevice in the Forgotten Vale, or some such, so either way he's off the payroll. But I do still need those hooves, and I thought, who knows the demand and supply in this city better than Dathan?"

She smiled again, knowing that unicorn hoof, powdered or intact, was a little cut above what one would usually term 'rare' or 'difficult to obtain'. She tried to smooth it over with a little aside.

"I've often thought that business was much better in He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's time. I was only a child, but I remember my father making some very good deals." She sighed wistfully.

[Deleted]

Dathan knew who Morgaine spoke of very well. He had some rather nasty business encounters with the wretch too, and deemed him unreliable. Dathan smirked at her.

"I stopped making deals with that waste of existence months ago," he said. "I have another source for those now. Remind me to supply you with his contact information before you leave."

Burke then raised an eyebrow about the unicorn hoof. He had some unicorn hoof powder in stock, but he was alarmed by the disappearance of the one who obtained it. There were people who paid a great deal to get that powder from him, and Burke would like to have stayed in strong supply of it.

"Sorry to hear the gentleman has vanished," he said. "Aside from him, I know of no one else who delivers it with the Ministry snooping about Knockturn these days. However, I do have some in stock. I suppose I will have to raise the price on it..." He then smiled at Morgaine, his eyes showing the fondness he had for the woman and her wicked heart. "But not just now. You have been a faithful customer... among other things. For you, we'll work with the usual price."

As Dathan went and fetched the powder, he turned to Morgaine again.

"So any other news?" he asked. He knew she would know what he was talking about. Despite the fact that some of the meetings Dathan held did not include Morgaine, he knew she was no fool and had no doubt kept up to date with the dark plans being made here and there.

(Not god-modding or trying to speak for Morgaine. Anything said about her is all assumption on Burke's part.)

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine smiled gracefully, her hand going to her heart briefly. She was surprised at how glad she was to be speaking with an equal, not one of her employees or toadies, or, worse, her ever-superior mother.

"Thank you," she said, sincerely for once. "I hope to find another supplier shortly, all going well, but until then, I have one or two small shipments to make. Thankfully, most would-be alchemists use it sparingly. If you can spare, say, four grammes, I should be able to accommodate my clients' needs. Luckily few brews require more than a pinch or two."

She considered his question carefully. Even caught up with her work, she caught snatches of rumours here and there. She hadn't paid them too much attention, but she had filed them away carefully in the back of her mind.

"The usual whispers, I suppose," she shrugged. "But louder. And my mother has gone on one of her retreats. She's been gone for almost a month, which is... unusual. And I do wonder if perhaps my absent runner has perhaps stumbled on something he shouldn't have. But, you know me, Dathan." She flashed her teeth briefly, her eyes dancing wickedly. "I'm a good girl. I keep my ears to myself and my head down, as much as possible."

(No stress. It's sometimes tricky to play characters who've known each other a long time, the authors have to kind of play it by ear and hit the ground running)

@dathan

[Deleted]

Dathan smiled back at her. Morgaine was a lovely creature with hypnotic eyes. If Burke wasn't so damned against general social contact, he would ask Morgaine if he could treat her to a nice dinner somewhere one night. He would invite her to dine with him, but his pantry was only stocked for sustenance, not savoring. He looked about and took out the amount she needed.

"That should not be an issue, dear Morgaine," he said. He then named the price. As he promised, it was the same price he had always given her. One could say a number of horrible things about Dathan Burke, but one could not say he wasn't a good business man. He did not con or cheat people. He knew both actions would lead to losing customers... and then money.

He handed her the item as he stepped over behind the counter. He then listened to her speak of what she heard. he felt a rare sense of compassion when she said her mother had been away from an unusual amount of time... or was that opportunity? Perhaps this was the inspiration for him to ask if the two could spend more time together.

"I am certain you mother is well," he said. "However, should the loneliness of her absence inflict you, you are welcome to visit here. Regardless of whether or not the store is open, my door is always opened to you." He then smirked. "As for you being a good girl, I should hope not. I don't think I could trust you then."

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine counted out the coin. With anyone else, she would check the merchandise, but Dathan's reputation for an honest businessman was well-known, in her family particularly. She tucked the package carefully into a large inner pocket of her coat, buttoning securely after. She did some quick calculations in her head, and reckoned she would be able to last at least another three months on the few grammes he had sold her. She smiled contentedly, reassured of her business's security, and folded her arms gently over her front.

She considered Dathan's offer for a moment, then replied slowly, her refined vowels lending a touch of class to her question, removing any sense of impropriety that might otherwise have been implied.

"I may take you up on that. On the subject of my mother, you wouldn't happen to have heard anything concerning her, would you? I mean, I don't think anyone ever thought that she took sabbaticals for pampering or relaxation, and the fact that she been away so long implies that something... important... is afoot. She would never tell me, of course," Morgaine didn't bother hiding the note of resentment that crept into her voice. She was sure Dathan had at least heard of her consistent, and sometimes violent, struggles and disagreements with her mother. "But I did think it odd that she didn't take her usual luggage. When I went to visit my father, it was still just sitting on her travel stand by the door."

Her eyes had taken on a somewhat distant, pensive look while she spoke. Those rumours she had heard, of a new dark witch rising in power and influence, were intriguing but quite standard. The fact that they were louder now, and combined with the fact that the new university had been attacked, was what really interested her. She snapped quickly back to the present.

"Of course, she might just have forgotten it."

[Deleted]

Dathan smirked a bit when Morgaine said she might take up her offer. Who knows, perhaps something would come of it, perhaps not. Dathan was no lovestruck puppy that would die if it didn't though. Romance was far from a needed part of his life. He could be married to his money the rest of his days and die miserably happy.

For now it was on to the mystery of her mother. Apparently Morgaine cared more about her that she let on now and then. After all, he had been made aware of the conflict between the daughter and mother. Burke supposed he could understand her deep-down care for her mother to a degree. He cared for his late mother as well, and was admittedly distraught when she passed on. His father not-so-much, but that was beside the point.

"Perhaps I could look into it?" he asked. "I have several sources that might relay information on her whereabouts... provided she is still about somewhere... with all due respect." He then nodded as she spoke of the luggage. "That is most odd, but yes perhaps she did forget." Dathan then sighed and smiled.

"My dear Morgaine, I would not worry," he said. "I've learned in my line of work that there is no point in plaguing yourself with worry over potential bad news until said bad news is no longer... potential." He then offered his arm. "Why don't you step back into my living quarters? I can brew you some tea to calm you down... or we can have something stronger if you wish. And you can spend time with Eligos. He does enjoy your visits after all."

Dathan's eyes showed no twisted hunger for her or the scheme to take advantage of her should she have a few drinks. He was wicked, but not sexually perverse. But the fact was that whenever Morgaine visited and left, he found his heart was saddened at her departure and longed to see her again.

(If you feel Dathan's getting too weird or creepy, let me know and we can wrap up the thread.)

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine shrugged, her interest in the subject of her mother lost.

"To be honest," she said frankly. "I thought perhaps the increased rumours of a new Dark Lord might be linked to her absence. But, I suppose she is getting on a bit now for that, and Father would never stand for it. I can just imagine the look on his face if she started hosting illicit meetings in the drawing room, or using his money to fund curses." She laughed, and it came out more like a brief cackle. "And what you say is true, especially with Mother. If something were the matter, she would take no small joy in springing it on me when I least expected it."

She checked her pocket watch briefly. Her clients were not expected for at least another few hours, and Dathan was one of the closest things she had to a real friend, despite the infrequency of her visits. She accepted his arm lightly.

"Some tea would be lovely," she replied. "And I have missed Eligos a little."

((TBH, I don't see Morgaine reciprocating, but it's not creepy. I think she'd either be completely oblivious to all but the loudest and most overt declarations, or else she would notice and get manipulate-y, because she's kinda #$@%ed up in the lurve department. So it's up to you, really. ))

[Deleted]

(Well not going to get too affectionate or romantic on my end either. Would be dreadfully out of character for Dathan.)

Dathan felt that in time Morgaine would know more about the Dark Lady. Morgaine was a prime candidate for the Black Army in his opinion. She was brilliant and wickedly delightful. And her knowledge and connections due to her job would be of great value in the army. And most of all, it would be a thrill for she and Dathan to do some real damage together. But for now, Burke had to be cautious regarding how much he told her.

"Something is certainly in the air, and I feel in the end, we'll all be surprised at who is involved with what," he said. "Even after all my years in Knockturn Alley, there are times when I am presented with the unexpected."

His arm in hers, he led her to the sofa and politely motioned for her to be seated.

"You get re-acquainted with Eligos, and I will go and prepare the tea," he said. The wolf would usually follow his master, but with Morgaine in the private quarters, his interest turned to her again. He stepped over and sat down on the floor next to her. His happy face made the usually vicious beast look damn near adorable. And for her, he would be, as tame as a puppy.

From the kitchen, Burke looked in as he got the tea brewing.

"Morgaine, just a hypothetical question," he said. "Suppose this fabled Dark Lady existed, and turned out to be much like... you-know-who... would you consider aligning with her given how you and I have been treated by the Ministry in recent years?"

@morgaine

[Deleted]

((Indeedily doodily. We should plot this in PM or something before the main plot really gets going, could be an awesome sub-plot))

Morgaine got comfortable on the sofa and listened to Dathan while she gave Eligos some love, rubbing his head and behind his ears in the way she remembered he liked. He seemed to enjoy it, thumping his tail vigorously as though he was barely a wolf at all. She marveled internally at the remarkable dual nature of animals. Humans, too, come to that. When Dathan asked her about joining a Dark Lady, hypothetically, of course, she pondered it a moment. She knew she could trust Dathan, but she had been weighing up that exact question in her mind for some weeks now, as the rumours grew.

It could be a blessing, or it could be a very poor business move. On a personal level, it was what she had dreamed of since she was a girl; no more having to hide who she was, no more frustration at being treated with bureaucratic contempt every time she made a request to the Ministry for more freedom or contacts, no more hiding in the shadows and seething at the sheer ineffectual and futile nature of the modern wizarding world.

But she had been hurt once before when she had followed her heart, and the wound in her heart still burned from time to time. She realised with annoyance that she was still no closer to making a decision than she had been when she first started considering it, and made a snap decision.

"I think I would be open to it," she replied finally. "I won't deny that an end to the Ministry's high-handed rule would be a breath of fresh air . And if, hypothetically, I could be of assistance in achieving that goal, I would not pass up the opportunity. Besides," she smiled. "Just think of the new business opportunities that it would open up."

She sighed and fiddled briefly with one of her earrings, a small, dangling pearl wrapped twice around with gold wire in an intricate pattern.

"More likely than not, my mother and father would be contacted though, not me. They were not involved in the previous attempt at a Ministry overhaul, but they were well-known in the right circles, and no doubt if any new power was to rise, it would start amongst the tried and true supporters. I was only four when the Dark Lord fell. Just a child."

She was tempted to ask why Dathan wanted to know, but there were some conversations she preferred not to lead, and she definitely felt this was one of them.

[Deleted]

(Coolness. good deal.)

As Dathan walked in with the tea, Eligos looked at him and barked. With Burke's skills of Animal Communication with Canines, he of course understood every bark. He turned and smiled at Morgaine.

"Eligos says he enjoys your company," said Dathan as he handed Morgaine her cup. "And wishes you would come by more often. I tend to agree. So many foul, worthless creatures come through here every day and night. It makes the both of us more grateful when more civilized and intelligent people such as yourself drop by." Burke then sat down beside her. He sipped his tea as she gave her answer to his question. He liked what he heard.

"I feel much the same way," she said. "To be in this rumored... Black Army, was it? It would be a chance to start over in our society. To have wizards and witches put their trust in someone besides a coward like Draco Malfoy."

He then listened about her mother and father again. He was also quite young when Voldemort fell, a student at Hogwarts too young to be allowed in the famous Battle... not that he cared to fight for that damn school. When she was finished, Dathan looked at her with dark eyes. It was time to be honest about his feelings for her... well to an extent.

"Don't second guess yourself, dear Morgaine," he said. "You know me and you know Eligos, and our respective natures. We're both cold to the core. We both hate most wizards and witches and would do away with them upon sight if it wasn't for a potential business deal. But we both see something wonderful and wicked in you, a strong nature as cold as our own. That's why Eligos lets you pet him. That's why I invited you back here to spend some personal time with me. If anyone would please this rumored Dark Lady, should she exist, it would be you."

@morgaine

[Deleted]

Morgaine smiled when Dathan subtly complimented her, giving Eligos an extra-warm pat.

"Thank you," she replied. "I have missed proper human interaction, what with how much work I've been doing, and it's always a pleasure to find company as engaging you both."

She sipped her tea and took a moment to savour it. Nothing beat a good cup of tea on any day of the week. She almost blushed when Dathan recommended she not second guess herself. She cocked her head to one side and studied him carefully as she replied.

"Thank you. I do aim to be both wonderful and wicked. I propose a deal; the moment either of us hears more about this Black Army, we inform the other and do our utmost to explore it. I would be such a shame not benefit from such a movement, should it prove to be more than rumour." She extended her hand towards Dathan, a small smile on her lips and a rare gleam in her eyes.