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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 19, 2016 22:13:29 GMT -5
Dorian believed in dressing for the job, and he found the position of Auror to be one that deserved a certain level of respect. And as Dorian had technically been working, even if it sometimes had been in an unofficial capacity, while they were at the hotel, Dorian dressed the part. It didn't help that he had nothing close to a social life, but even then he'd be hard pressed to find much in his closet to wear that varied far from his usual attire.
He smiled at her realization, then sat up in his chair. "And what have you been busying yourself with this week?" She had had her time to get gossip on him, now he was returning the favor.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 19, 2016 22:39:57 GMT -5
There was a part of her that wanted to ask who he was and what he had done to her partner. Indulging her on a question or two was one thing, but to also inquire about her week was almost suspicious. Either he was up to something, or this woman had truly done a number on him. She wondered who it was and what that spelled for Dorian and Christine's future.
She restrained her teasing comment. If he was sincere she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
Unfortunately she had no good gossip for him. She had been researching the case the past week, and in her spare time alternated between avoiding her brother and threatening him. Between her two brothers she had no real life of her own.
"Oh you know, parties, dance clubs, that sort." she smiled.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 19, 2016 23:30:16 GMT -5
Dorian was quite certain, though it pained him to think it, that there was no future between he and Christine. He had been too self-righteous in his moral code to bend the rules for love and now that he'd finally made peace with the idea that she was both a student and an adult capable of making her own decisions, she had decided that Alek was the better man.
Dorian struggled with his feelings about Alek. He was hot-headed, to put it mildly, and seemed to have some very serious issues with authority, but Christine obviously saw some good in him and he was, after all, Lex's brother. If the two women he cared for most in this world saw something redeeming about Alek, then Dorian supposed he ought to give the man a chance. Of course, ever seeing him with Christine would be enough to squash such noble intentions.
"I will never know where you find the energy or the patience to deal with such events," he commented. Dorian had only visited nightclubs while working on cases and he found them far too loud with far too many people. He preferred an evening at home.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 19, 2016 23:43:06 GMT -5
"I can sleep when I'm dead." she answered. She spent her entire life in a prison, she wouldn't squander what freedom she had finally found. Nor would she let her brother keep her imprisoned either.
She didn't have much to say about Alek's relationship with Christine. It honestly somewhat horrified her.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 1:04:25 GMT -5
"Yes, I believe that was your motto at the Avalon when I was permitted very little sleep because of all the ruckus you ladies were making." Lex and Christine had created their own night club and tried in vain to get Dorian to dance on the furniture with them before giving up on him and going about their party just the two of them. Dorian watched them happily for a while before he turned in for a less than full night's rest.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 20, 2016 1:15:58 GMT -5
Lex rolled her eyes, "We were making the best of a rather droll situation. We were stuck in that suite for nearly a month and beyond bored out of our skulls. " she grinned, "So if we couldn't go to the party, we decided to bring the party to us." she shrugged unrepentant.
"Sleep is overrated anyway."
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 1:26:26 GMT -5
"I'm glad to hear you say that," he pulled one of the files toward him as he spoke. "Because I think we're going to be having some sleepless nights in our near future. The number of victims are increasing at an alarming rate and it looks like we're the only ones that can be spared at the moment. We need to figure out who this group is and how they're choosing and contacting these kids."
He'd had plenty of socializing and even Lex would have to admit that he'd done a fair impression of a normal bloke. They needed to get to work and no amount of beer, phone numbers, or friends would distract Dorian from doing his job well.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 20, 2016 1:54:27 GMT -5
More than simply socializing, Lex realized it was the first time Dorian had brought up their time at the hotel. Usually when Lex brought it up, it brought up memories of Christine and that usually spoiled whatever mood or camaraderie they had established.
So she was a bit distracted when he casually shifted back to business.
"Oh, yes right. Well we are all tapped out of leads too. Even though we have more victims we aren't getting any new clues." she sighed with frustration.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 2:31:45 GMT -5
Dorian's jaw tensed as he studied the paperwork in front of him. "Perhaps its time for another stake out during the school's Hogsmeade weekend. Statistically, these people have the best chance of coercing a student when the students are away from the school."
They'd tried a stake out before but it was earlier in the case, before Dorian had taken to avoiding Lex. He couldn't bear to spend an entire weekend with her, at the time. But again, he was feeling much better lately and now the idea didn't seem unbearable.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 20, 2016 2:36:22 GMT -5
"It's worth a shot." Lex agreed. They had run out of leads and the case had seemingly hit a wall, and unlike other things in Lex's life, she couldn't just knock the wall down.
"Meanwhile I've got some files to sort." she said sliding off the chair she had been sitting on as she made for the door.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 17:00:36 GMT -5
"Alright," he said as he moved to a cabinet behind his desk and pulled a file containing the Hogwarts calendar and schedules. He returned to his seat his head already fully into his next task. Just as Lex made it to the door he spoke.
"Lunch later? My treat," he smiled. He knew he'd been an ass, and a simple apology wouldn't suffice. Perhaps Lex would think it sufficient but Dorian truly wanted to clean the slate with her.
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Post by Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen on Dec 20, 2016 17:38:55 GMT -5
With that she perked right up. It was like Christmas and her birthday rolled into one. She accepted Dorian for the way he was, knowing that he truly was a good man, but also a private one. It was something both her brothers had in common, heaven help Christine for voluntarily having anything to do with either of them.
"I don't know what has you in this mood, but if I were you, I'd call her...I mean hold onto it." she grinned, then quickly skedaddled out the door to avoid the look he would have given her for her impertinence.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 19:53:58 GMT -5
Several days later and Dorian's good mood persisted, despite not having followed Lex's not-so-subtle hint about calling Maxine. He didn't need to jump into a new relationship to realize he was okay with how things had ended up between him and Christine. He wasn't happy about the way they had ended and he wished they could have done so on better terms, but he wasn't right for Christine and perhaps Alek could be.
The rest of the office noticed his shift in mood as well, but most had the sense to not point it out to Dorian as the trainee had done. So as he left the Ministry building and prepared for his evening walk home, he was in a rather good mood.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 20, 2016 20:22:30 GMT -5
She had given him a few days to mull it over, but she was honestly surprised when he didn't call her. If Alek had only seen fit to inform her that Dorian was recovering from a failed relationship, otherwise Max was in the dark and really wondering if she had somehow lost her touch.
She saw him leaving the Ministry and hesitated in making herself known, even though she had been waiting for him. Finally recalling that subtly wasn't her strong point, nor was patience she called out to him, " You know, I really thought you might call."
She stood in front of a car this time, a beautiful 1969 Chevy Camaro, legs crossed and a much more appropriate shirt and jeans.
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 20, 2016 21:12:32 GMT -5
As always, Dorian's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his work; the potential Dart Arts syndicate or the seemingly less likely individual Dark Wizard they were hunting, and the teenagers that were being lured away from their families and friends. What was the pattern in victims and how were they being contacted? Dorian was on autopilot as his feet carried him toward his apartment building, he didn't even notice the attractive car and the more attractive woman waiting for him.
Her voice caught his attention, however, and his pace slowed as he turned. A small smile worked its way onto his face as he realized it was Maxine who was calling him. He put his hands in his pockets as he approached her.
"My apologies for keeping you waiting," he answered. He hadn't any intentions of calling her, but if she was honestly expecting to hear from him he felt like a cad for leaving her hanging.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 20, 2016 23:40:27 GMT -5
"It's alright. I can take a hint." she frowned in thought, "Actually no one's ever had me take a hint before so I'm not sure I'm doing it very well." she laughed.
"Actually I'm pretty sure I'm horrible at it." she said coming to the realization that Dorian was perhaps the only guy who had ever really 'rejected' her. It didn't bother her so much as it intrigued her. She wasn't really a vain person, but she was accustomed to a certain amount of attention from the male sex.
She took a step toward him, "So at the risk of being turned down a third time, I thought I'd just throw my dignity down and ask if you'd like to go out with me."
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 21, 2016 0:13:41 GMT -5
Yes, he definitely was a cad. This poor woman thought they had a connection, which truth be told even Dorian couldn't deny, and she had put herself out there in giving him her phone number. And again in coming to see him. If it hadn't been for the chemistry between them at that filthy bar or Lex's very obvious nudge, Dorian might have found some polite way to turn her down without making her feel slighted.
But there was chemistry between them and she had brightened his whole week with just a few hours of her company. "I certainly wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I ever did anything to besmirch your dignity. You are quite lovely, Maxine. I would be honored to take you out."
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 21, 2016 0:35:19 GMT -5
She honestly wasn't expecting him to say yes, but then the part of her that always expected to get her way pushed forward, "Now." she said with a quick smile, "I mean if you're free."
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Post by Dorian Humbert on Dec 21, 2016 0:43:29 GMT -5
Dorian laughed in amazement, his eyes widening slightly. "My, you are forward. But you are also in luck, as I was just heading home and had no plans for the evening."
Dorian never had plans for the evening, except to drink and moan to himself over his foolishness and brutish behavior toward Christine. A night with Maxine would prove much more healthy, especially since she seemed to have forgone the death trap of a motorcycle for something more sensible.
"No bike today?" he said with sincere interest.
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Post by Maxine "Max" Deveraux on Dec 21, 2016 1:00:39 GMT -5
She gave a small shrug when he called her forward, it was another word for confident. Maxine knew what she wanted and she was accustomed to fighting for whatever that was.
When he asked about her motorcycle she grinned, "I was hoping you might be more comfortable with Roxanne." she said revealing Max's name for the car.
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