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Post by Keith Landers on Sept 27, 2009 21:07:02 GMT -5
Keith's business had been down as of late, but he still had enough left over from his Quidditch days to fill his income when times were down. He hated to admit it, but with his son off at school and his wife passed on, life has become increasingly cheaper for him to live by. It was a dreadful thing for him to say, but it had been nearly two years now and she was gone.
But he still needed to work to keep sane, so he decided he would go have a drink at The Rusty Nail, and pass out his card. It wasn't like he could ever be traced back to anything illegal, he saw to that. He was simply a freelance deliveryman. Of course the odd job did come up where he forgot to put it in the books, but it was money right?
Course he could never let his boy get none the wiser on that subject. Not his son. He did what he could for the boy, he was all he had left in the world, but love didn't pay the bills, discretion did.
Moving through the door he made his way to the bar and took a seat, glancing around for any potentials.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 27, 2009 21:16:37 GMT -5
The Rusty Nail was one of her normal haunts, so it was no surprise that she was already sitting in a booth with a cocktail in front of her. She looked to be the cleanest thing in the place. She was impeccably dressed in a black, knee-length skirt that rose up on her thigh as she crossed her legs under the table. Her top was a revealing blouse of sheer crimson. Her black lace bra could be seen through her shirt in a tasteful yet seductive manner. She made it a point of embodying sex, even when she wasn't particularly looking for a romp in the hay. Bellatrix had just ordered a fresh drink when Mr Landers entered the pub. She took little notice of him and instead played with the rim of her finished glass.
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Post by Keith Landers on Sept 28, 2009 9:25:12 GMT -5
Keith's eyes paused at a few people, one of which was a rather seductive looking woman who he quickly felt the need to ignore. If Amelia had caught him looking at a woman like that when she was alive he would have got a good hard smack to the noggin. Then again Amelia was gone and that woman sure knew how to flaunt herself. Women like that weren't rare, nor were they common, but something stood out about that one in particular. Of course that mean no never mind to him, he had work to get done, if he didn't get some business soon he was going to go insane.
He began to wonder if he might be able to get back into Quidditch, but at his age it was unlikely, even one of the paying local teams couldn't take that risk.
He looked up to the bartender and ordered a pint of bitter and a shot of fire whiskey. Keith was no rich entertainer like he had been in his heyday, now he liked his drinks with two attributes cheap and loaded with alcohol. If a man is going to have a nice fancy drink, it better be at some fancy social gathering, because here that kind of thing would get you more than just a few queer looks.
Suddenly, he found his eyes staring towards the woman again, she just seemed to stick out. Trying to ignore the thoughts he turned towards his on coming drinks.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 28, 2009 23:28:11 GMT -5
She felt eyes on her and she looked up to catch Keith staring at her momentarily before turning away. She watched him for a bit, intrigued by anyone who gave her a second glance. Yes, she was egotistical enough for that. When her next drink finally arrived she grabbed the barkeep's arm as he started to turn away. "Who's the redhead at the bar?" When she heard the name Keith Landers it didn't mean much at first. Somewhat familiar but she couldn't place it. "Send him over here," she directed the barkeep. Then she watched as the message was sent over to Mr Landers, a pleasant smile on her face.
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Post by Keith Landers on Sept 29, 2009 0:40:56 GMT -5
When the bartender strolled back over and he asked him to entreat the lady to a visit, he gave the bartender quite a look. It was obvious that he felt it some sort of joke on his part. However, when he was assured that it was not the case he shrugged and asked for another pint to be sent over to the table when he finished his.
Taking his mug in hand, he turned on his heels and walked over to the rather exotic looking woman. His mannerisms seemed polite enough, if not a bit rough as he asked, "To what do I owe the honor of your invitation?"
His boyish looks and smile were obvious, but the creases in his face showed the shadow that he did so well hiding, but of course it could easily be noticed by anyone with the right eyes for that sort of thing. He had never had them of course himself, but others seemed to pick up on it. Not of course that he was dark, just a great deal more willing to trust and keep his questions where the belonged, elsewhere.
His smile did not fade from his face, polite as it was, and neither did his eyes stray from her face. Being proper was one of the few things he had been instilled with, although a portion of that had no doubt been from his late wife who had fussed over him so. Then again, she had tried her best to make the Quidditch hooligan he had been into something more of a celebrity, but it had not sunk in until he had retired.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 29, 2009 1:03:12 GMT -5
As Mr Landers approached she watched his movements, noting the way he walked and held himself. She could tell now that he was closer to her how much older he was. She hadn't noticed from his fleeting glances from across the room. But now she saw clearly the crinkles around his eyes and on his brow. They gave him a sophisticated look, unlike some other aging people she knew. Claudia Morley came to mind.
"You were looking at me," she replied, as Landers reached her. She gestured to the seat across from her. "Sit," she said sweetly. She evaluated him again in silence, wondering if he'd stammer over an excuse as to why he had his eye on her.
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Post by Keith Landers on Sept 29, 2009 7:29:37 GMT -5
"Can you blame anyone? Really?" he replied with a flirtatious smile before he had the chance to control the urge to flirt.
Taking a seat at where she gestured, he gently set his glass down. The gesture was smooth, not stiff as his body type would often suggest.
"If you can, I must say you don't quite realize your own charm miss."
Suddenly his manners slipped as he held out his hand. He might have been raised properly, but where he had been raised had been rather folksy.
"Names Landers, Keith Landers," he said with a big cheerful smile.
It wasn't too often he found company in these sort of places, and although he wondered just what sort of company he may have found, to him it did not matter. If she was going to be kind enough to invite a stranger over, he was going to be strange enough to be kind. If that makes any sense.
His eyes strayed down to his drink for a moment, but the urge to refresh his ever drying throat would have to wait. His hand was still out for her to shake, and he doubted she would find it appropriate for him to drink while he was at it.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Sept 29, 2009 22:48:29 GMT -5
He didn't deny that he had been looking at her, which she liked. It was so annoying when people weren't direct with her, particularly when the subject revolved around her looks or her figure. There were other topics where she preferred directness to the alternative. She liked him more now that he was complimenting her. And there were no signs thus far that she shouldn't like him, aside from the nagging feeling that she knew his name but couldn't figure out why.
"So I've heard, Mr Landers." She shook his hand but did not give her own name in response. "But tell me, why does your name sound so familiar to me?" Not being a huge fan of sports herself, she couldn't pull him up as being a quidditch star from so many years ago. But she had some mates back in school that had been really into that whole scene, and it was there that she had heard people mention him. Of course, if she couldn't even remember that she knew of him, she definitely wouldn't remember if he was good at quidditch or not.
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Post by Keith Landers on Sept 30, 2009 8:58:04 GMT -5
"I have been running a delivery service in London for some years now, before that I used to work with the Ministry. That was some years ago though," he replied with a shrug as he pulled his hand away slowly.
No offense to her, she didn't seem like a sports fan, and it had been another part of his life. It was the past for him now, aside from people here and there raising a toast to him for the points he had scored for good old England, he had faded from popularity some time ago.
Another thing that bothered him was her lack of directness in giving her name. Of course he was just a mere stranger, and not many people in these times were willing to give out their names so easily. Of course she didn't seem to be from the crust of people who worried about such silly things. That didn't bother him, he got along with both sides of the tracks since he had been young.
"I must say that I like your directness miss. Although if I am to be pleasured with your company, might I at least have a name or title to call you by perhaps?"
If she didn't give him something to call her, then this would make the situation a bit awkward for him. The only time he didn't get names was on the occasion of particular deliveries, but that was something that was acceptable for business, but socially a deterrent.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Oct 3, 2009 16:52:10 GMT -5
Well that had to be it, she thought. She'd heard of his delivery service around town. Bellatrix knew so little about Quidditch that she would never have guessed that she knew him from the sports team. This was enough of an explanation to settle her mind.
She took a drink of her cocktail just as Keith asked her name. When she had swallowed and set her glass on the table she replied, "Bellatrix."
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Post by Keith Landers on Oct 4, 2009 8:49:57 GMT -5
"Hmmm.... and exotic name for an exotic woman, I must say you have me at the advantage of interest," he said with a shrug before he downed a decent portion of his beer to calm his dray throat.
That name sounded familiar to him, but he wasn't quite sure where. It was an above ordinary name for sure. But above and from where? Of course he would not remember, it was little more than rumors and hearsay, and in reality only because her family was well to do. Besides that there had not been a peep to his ears about her. He highly doubted that a woman such as her self didn't at least have a few rumors about her. He supposed he should either ask her about herself or shave the grapevine and see what he pulled out of it.
Then again his list of contacts was fading lately, with the whole warlock problem as of late, his friends were either taking sides or disappearing. Of course it was something bound to happen to quite a few of them. Not all of them were exactly knights in shining armor and robin hoods. Most of them were down right scoundrels, but they only did it because thats what their lives had been reduced to.
The whole of the thought only seemed to take a moment to pass through his mind, and quickly he was smiling at her again.
"Well you know at least a little bit about me now. Perhaps I could learn a bit about you? Pleasant company over a drink is always welcome."
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Oct 15, 2009 23:24:25 GMT -5
She smirked and played with her glass, swirling the liquid around the edges to make a tiny whirlpool. Many men found her interesting. And a few women as well. But she wasn't looking to be interesting today. Today she was looking for a drink, conversation was simply an added treat. And conversation about herself was one of her favorite topics.
Unfortunately, not knowing this man, she needed to be careful when discussing the fascinating creature known as Bellatrix. "Indeed it is. But I'm afraid there's very little to learn about me that would hold one's attention."
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Post by Keith Landers on Oct 17, 2009 8:39:43 GMT -5
"My dear Bellatrix I neither believe that nor care to think of the ramifications of first impressions if that were the case. However, if you feel inclined to avoid such a subject as of the current time, I will hold nothing against. But I must say I fear a dull in the conversation were it about me or something as trivial as the weather. Now that you have my interest, I am afraid there is too much at stake in the conversation. Perhaps a few moments to just enjoy the company of another at the same table?"
Aside from the long winded speech like response, Keith was really just trying to get her to open up. She perked his interest, and now he wanted to know more. Really it was just one of those days were he felt like talking to someone. He had come to the tavern in hopes of advertising. Such did not seem to be the situation today, so he found a way to fill the time, and she just so happened to be rather exciting. Then again he wondered how much longer this situation would last.
Of all things, Keith was not a man to pry, he was only trying to make conversation. This was his last ditch attempt at such before he finished his drink and maybe returned to the bar counter. Bellatrix had his eyes and ears at the moment, but no woman had any control over him after the passing of his wife. Two years or even ten would never change the fact that he was in love with a woman that had passed on. When his interest was sparked in a woman, then he gave it an equal and open shot, but if he felt the need to let it go, he did. He had a son to think about, and what would his son think of the her, so on and so forth. In reality that wasn't his concern, his son understood what he was going through, to many books and stories he supposed.
Alden leaned back with a polite smile on his face as he finished his drink. He would give this a few more minutes, then he would see where it went.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on Oct 24, 2009 18:35:54 GMT -5
"I have no interest in speaking of the weather, Mr Landers." She laughed as she lifted her glass to drink. Were he a friend they would have many things to speak of. There would be no lull in the conversation, no awkwardness. But these days it was hard to trust anyone, even those you already know. The muggle lovers feared trusting one of Lord Voldemort's followers unknowingly. And His followers feared trusting those who could do harm to themselves and the cause. It was a time of fear.
But Bellatrix, from time to time, threw caution to the wind. Living like the majority did, in fear, was a terrible life. "You wish to get to know me? You must be terribly brave." She smiled at him and set her glass on the table.
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Post by Keith Landers on Nov 3, 2009 9:33:00 GMT -5
"I don't know if I would consider myself extra-ordinarily brave, but lets call me a cat with curiosity," he replied with a smile and a shrug.
Curiosity, what a terrible curse on humanity. Something so simple as inquiry that could drive a man to lunacy. Of course he wasn't to worried, unless the Dark Lord himself had taken into polymorphing, and new how to pick out a dress. Then this could end in an awkward situation. Other than that, she could be the Great Witch of the West in the land of Oz, and he would still feel comfortable.
Keith had befriended, met, and drank with all sorts of people. A great many of them, simply associating with, could have the Ministry on his tail. But he knew how to keep his lips shut and throw out convincing lies. Hell he had been a celebrity after all, you got used to doing it in front of people and being mighty good at that.
The only thing that he worried about from this woman was the simpleness of just finding herself bored and sending him on his way. No matter how dangerous the person, knowing how to treat and talk to someone could turn any situation into a bad, neutral, or swell scenario. It just so happened that such a thing was one of his talents.
"I might even have an extra life or two left."
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