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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 30, 2011 1:15:46 GMT -5
If only more mornings could start like this.
That wasn't something Curse Kameren usually thought. Most mornings he woke up straight into chaos. Children were screaming at his door to wake up. He'd have a splitting headache from an episode, or possibly from drinking the day before. There was breakfast to (fail at) making, a house to clean, things to do. Always, always a reason to jump out of bed. For once, he didn't have a reason to jump out of bed. In fact, he had one lovely reason to stay right where he was.
The morning sun's light crept into the window above Curse's bed. illuminating Arianna's skin to a soft glow. She shifted in her sleep as if she felt his eyes on her. They were nestled up together, Arianna with her back to Curse. Her soft green dress was draped over a chair in the corner, Curse's dress robes piled near it. They had returned to Curse's home after the ball, not quite satisfied with the occasion. Here, they didn't have to pretend. They could be together like they used to be. Or better.
His arm around her waist loosened as she moved in her sleep. His lips grazed the back of her neck where her hair parted and revealed the scar he'd given her. The scar frightened him and unsettled him, but it was important that she kept it; it reminded them again where they couldn't be. He couldn't be that man again, couldn't harm what family he had. She shifted again, and he realized she was awake. He smiled, kissing her on the shoulder before letting her go so she could move more easily. "Morning," he murmured.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 30, 2011 19:06:03 GMT -5
Stillness. Warmth. Strange that no errant thoughts were dashing through Arianna's head. usually, her brain was active, often waking her up with astray reminder to do something, find something etc. the thought would hound her until she bolted up to jot it down and then hopefully return to sleep. Soundlessly she slept, drifting slowly awake. A steady, warming, comforting weight was draped across her waist. A ghost of a smile formed on her lips at the feel of lips on her neck. Curse. Slowly she drifted from the deep river of sleep. Not quite awake, she dozed a bit, turning into his warmth. Sleeping next to him had been the thing she missed the most.
Arianna turned over to face Curse, her eyes blinking awake.
"Morning,"
"Hi," she mumbled softly back, her arm snaked across his chestin a morning hug, her head resting partly on his pillow.
"How'd you sleep?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 31, 2011 4:51:37 GMT -5
A worn, tired smile pulled at the corners of his mouth as she turned towards him. He explored her eyes, happy to be lost in her black orbs for a moment. They were deep and endless, but still warm and inviting. They spoke volumes about the woman they belonged to. His arm replaced itself around her waist as they hugged and she met his eyes, her face inches from his.
"How'd you sleep?"
He shrugged, closing his eyes drowsily for a moment. "You know, it's kind of nice not being pounced on by Max first thing in the morning for once." He loved his son dearly and missed him when he was away, but sometimes it was nice to feel like a grown-up again. It was a bit of his old life he still tended to miss, though he wouldn't trade his son for anything. He chuckled, leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips. His eyes closed again, still a bit sleepy. The Ball had been a tiring occasion to put it lightly and the mistake of having champagne with his poison antidote was making his ears ring this morning. Alcohol didn't mis well with him any longer: yet another bit of his old life he missed sometimes, but he could live without it. The only important part of his life from years ago that he needed was right here, laying next to him. "I hope you slept well..."
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Jul 31, 2011 20:04:25 GMT -5
The more awake Arianna became the more she saw the signs. Those little things that warned her that Curse was not feeling quite the thing. Then she remembered. Achoal did not sit well with the man. Gone were the days of drinking contests at the Leaky Cauldron. Everything but that vile purple drink Pike served always caused Curse pain the day after. Images of him rushing into the bathroom while Arianna faced Max the day he walked in on them at Hogwarts. The same pinched look was on his face. The shrug told her everything. Oh, he was hiding it well, laughing softly, kissing her sweetly. But she knew.
"I hope you slept well..."
"Surprisingly slow. I normally do not sleep the entire night. Exhausted or not my brain peppers me with questions and will not stop until they are at least written down. But how are you truly? You're pale. Can i get you anything?" she asked softly as her fingers brushed his cheek before messaging his temple.
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Post by Curse Kameren on Jul 31, 2011 22:02:48 GMT -5
"Surprisingly slow. I normally do not sleep the entire night. Exhausted or not my brain peppers me with questions and will not stop until they are at least written down."
He arched a curious brow at her. What kind of questions? Her mind fascinated him, how she thought about things and why. There were so many complexities to her. It was part of what he loved about her, what he fell for. Someone who matched wits with him and even outsmarted him was what kept him intrigued.
"But how are you truly? You're pale. Can i get you anything?"
Those were the questions he was worried about her asking. He smiled, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "Honestly? ...a bit hung over." He laughed, rolling over onto his back. "I'm worse than you, now. Can hardly hold a drink." He teased her, instinctively leaning in slightly to her touch as she reached out for him. "Besides, it's my house isn't it? What can I get you?" He sat up, smiling.
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Aug 5, 2011 18:25:51 GMT -5
A light red eyebrow matched his inch for inch, nearly disappearing beneath a few strands of hair. Hadn't the man ever woken up or had trouble falling a sleep because his brain would not settle down and be quiet? Or was she just, well different? Surely the man was plagued by questions...dark ones she was sure. Sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night pondering something, like how was Curse doing? Where was the mask lady? Could one mend minds?
"Honestly? ...a bit hung over." He laughed, rolling over onto his back. "I'm worse than you, now. Can hardly hold a drink."
"That isn't necessarily a bad thing," She teased back a slightly suggestive smile on her lips. One was more pliable when drunk...guilt was refreshingly absent when piled with drink.
"Besides, it's my house isn't it? What can I get you?"
Ari moved around, until her head rested in his lap and she was looking up at him, sideways.
"A lazy day with you. No owls, no business, just us. I'll make breakfast, we'll sneak back here, lock the door just in case, and we'll do nothing we don't wish to."
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Post by Curse Kameren on Aug 10, 2011 21:21:45 GMT -5
"That," Curse leaned down, kissing Arianna on the lips with a playful smile. His hands found her skin, his strong fingers running gently along her arm up by her shoulders. There was something about a woman's skin; it was softer somehow, sweeter and more lively. "Sounds like a perfect idea. I've gotten better at locking spells just for such an occasion."
eerk.
Curse's eyes darted towards the bedroom door. He frowned. An owl's screech, from downstairs. Who had sent him an owl? He rarely received them, usually preferring to speak via patronus or muggle ways. It was easy for a wizard to intercept an owl. He pushed himself up off the bed, swinging his legs over and touching the floor. He waited for Arianna to get up as well, holding her hand for a moment before heading out into the hallway and downstairs.
The Kameren's home outside Curse's bedroom was messier than normal, despite Max's absence; books and papers littered Curse's study and bled into the living room. Curse was especially untidy when he was working on something, and he had been feverishly working on finding Daniel ever since the Hogsmeade attacks. Really, it was better for Max that he went with his mum, else he would be engulfed by Curse's seas of paperwork. Quills and muggle pens could be found in the oddest places, where Curse set one down and absent-mindedly forgot where he left it. Even the kitchen wasn't spared, as it was where everything that wasn't research was put; Max's toys, leftovers, Tabby's recent hunting kills, and muggle post were all strewn across the countertops. Even the infamous navy-blue ringbox managed to make it's way into the kitchen, sitting closed and silent amongst the mess.
The owl in question was in the kitchen as well. It was a dark black and old, its beak and feet weathered and gray from long use. It had fogged over black eyes, seeing outwards into nothing. Curse immediately knew the bird's origins: Azkaban. Having worked with Azkaban before, he knew the look of the birds. Animals were not spared the effect of the dementors, but they unfortunately had no way to protect themselves. For messages to the Ministry the prison spared the birds and used a telegraph to transmit messages, but for civilian homes they had no other option. But what was an Azkaban bird doing here?
"It's from Azkaban." Curse crossed the kitchen and went to the bird, clarifying for Arianna. He had forgotten that she had already experienced these owls; Curse had been in Azkaban once, and he had come very close to being granted his last wish by Warden Black. His last wish would have been her. He gently pulled a message from the owl's leg, letting the bird have at Tabby's kills as he opened it.
As his keen green eyes read, Curse's face paled. He held in a breath, unsure what to do. He didn't know what to say, what to think. He dropped the letter on the counter, his eyes meeting Arianna's evenly.
"Cedric Kameren is dead."
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Post by Arianna Blackthorn on Aug 22, 2011 21:34:55 GMT -5
"no one has the key to this spell do they?' She asked her voice filled with wry humor. Locking people out really wasn't the issue it was keeping the door locked. Well, at least at Curse's house. The doors had been locked when Alex used his key to catch them going at it. Merlin that had been embarrassing, especially since Max had seen. Then Eden had to comment on making babies. Of course Amelia found out and driven by hormones had to interrogate Ari about why her ten year old was asking questions about babies and why his aunt was kissing his dad. Not cool.
But that wouldn't happen this time since Max was safely away with his mum and Alex was probably off chasing some bad guy and tended to avoid family unless there was a dire emergency or something.
Ari's had just touched Curse's, probably only a second of contact when a piercing EEEEK ruined the moment. Startled, Ari's head snapped up, giving her whip lash, and she almost lost her balance leaning over Curse. What in Merlin's name was that? Oh wait, an owl. Stupid feather brain. Why'd it have to choose this morning out of 365 mornings to barge in on. If it wasn't a human it was a bird.
Oh ye cruel fate.
A little grumpy, Ari rolled off the bed and took Curse's offered hand. Might as well get up...the sooner they answered the owl the sooner they could make breakfast and then be back in bed. Yes, she could wait a bit longer for her relaxing morning. Owls were insistent creatures. if they didn't cater to it's needs the dam beast would break through the door and come between them mid kiss. That would be worse than anything I'm-afraid-of-spit-sharing Alex Kameren could do to them.
When they had stumbled in after the ball, ari hadn't the time to notice the mess. She'd been too busy making up after her little jealous tiff. Really it was only natural to be a bit angry when a very rich, high class French debutante who really belonged to another era flirted with your love. If she hadn't been a tad jealous it would be cause to worry.
Ari smiled bemusedly at the scattered parchment, quills etc. It looked like her haven. Ahh the tools of the studious.
"What have you been working on?" She asked curiously as they walked into the Kitchen, which was just as cluttered. But not with the things you'd expect. More books and less food stuff...toys even. Ewww was that a dead gnome? Tabby. She should eat her kills...but not gnomes...didn't they have souls? Hmmm maybe something she and Max could research the next time she baby sat...It was always could to have some sort of project with Max, he was curious energetic kid.
Ari nearly jumped when she spotted the owl. It looked ready to die on the spot. Poor creature. DIdn't anyone feed it. ari was about to stroke it's feathers when Curse told her it was from Askaban. A shiver ran up and down Ari's spine and her hand paused in mid air before falling bck to her side. Just the thought of that place gave her the creeps. What was that bird doing here? Surely it wasn't something telling Curse that he was being arrested or investigated again. Merlin, the last time he was in there....Well she'd fight to get him out again. Ari looked away when the bird bit off the head of the dead gnome. Gross...wait what was that tiny box?
Ari took a few steps closer. It was familiar. Wait, no. Curious and a little apprehensive, Ari opened the small box. As she had suspected it was a ring. But not just any ring. It was her ring. The engagement band he'd given her three years ago. The one she had left on the counter with the note, I can't stay.
He kept it? A fury of emotions rushed through her and Ari almost didn't hear Curse whisper that his sperm donor had died. Analyzing her feelings would have to wait. Ari pocketed the ring as she spun around, holding her arms out to Curse for a comforting hug. Yes the man was evil. He did very strange, very dangerous things and hurt a lot of people but without his genes Curse wouldn't be here and neither would Max. A bit of mourning was in order, if just for all the might of beens that never were.
"I don't know what to say. He was part of the equation that gave you life, yet he wasn't exactly a father. Still, it must be...confusing, painful, umm sad that he died?"
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Post by Curse Kameren on Aug 27, 2011 21:13:04 GMT -5
"I don't know what to say. He was part of the equation that gave you life, yet he wasn't exactly a father. Still, it must be...confusing, painful, umm sad that he died?"
"I don't know," Curse sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked up at Arianna, a bit perplexed. Was he supposed to be sad? Relieved? He never celebrated the deaths of others, even if they were hated. But this was... strange. Cedric Kameren had never been a person to Curse, he was a thing. A symbol, a feeling. A foreboding, even a warning. He wasn't a man that could wither and die. "I mean... he's not my father. Jasper has always been that, Cedric's my family only in blood. It's just... strange."
He met her eyes, a bit distraught. There was no sadness in his eyes, though he felt for some reason that there should be. He looked back down at the paper, re-reading its words. "I wonder how Alex is taking it..."
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