I'll try not to destroy you, baby, even though we both know I can

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

*Overhead a wire mesh encloses a distinctly forest-like garden. Quaint mossy cobblestones guide visitors around the enclosure - an exhibit of magical flora the world over, flocks of Cucuio hovering overhead like overgrown fireflies. A pleasant autumn chill has begun to bite into the air, only dimly apparent beyond the conjured humidity. Indeed, the heat is enough for Victoria to remove her cloak - as she begins to sling it off, she shoots Regulus an expectant stare. His assistance entirely unneeded and yet the only gentlemanly thing to do.*

Comments

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

The opinion of the carefully discerning means more to me then that of the exceptionally tolerant.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

Do you find... me unreasonably tolerant of things?

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

I find you lacking in passion. Indolence is nearly as damnable as tolerance. More so when your only actions toward our cause merely serve to demonize it.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

*Regulus takes this polite-sounding criticism with a straight face but grows rather solemn. He has never been good with blunt descriptions of himself, and Victoria is hardly someone he feels comfortable enough around to not mind her opinions.*

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

What I read in the papers is what everyone reads, I'm afraid. And when tales of your escapades show up next to overly-sentimental letters written by mudblooded whores toting about their unfortunate, hybridized children where do you think public opinion will fall? Mr. Black if you were truly passionate you would work during the day, not the night.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

*He nods, hardly noticeably and meant more to diffuse any disagreements than to actually agree.*

That is a shame. I remember her, from Hogwarts, the woman who wrote that.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

*Victoria looks perturbed and alarmed - within the boundaries that a public place should call for.*

You've spoken with her?

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

Only twice, I believe. She was the Head Girl, they always assume they have the right to speak with anyone once they have those pins.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

Yes, well. Judging from her letter, I believe her assumptions go far further than that.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

I should say so. It's one thing for her to express those kinds of opinions in her own home but to publish them...

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

Sheer ignorance. It is such an ironic misfortune that the very people who should be the most educated on their short-comings are those who enter our world feeling the most...wanted. They feel chosen. Like they have every right to instruct us on our conduct.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

*This topic of conversation is an improvement to the thin ice he had felt himself walking on when they had been addressing the nature of himself. Though hardly jovial, Victoria now seems slightly less of an intimidation, her apparent logic making Regulus feel much more at home than when her judgements are aimed toward him.*

Ms. Evans seemed to think she was particularly entitled. She was invited to dinners with Professor Slughorn, you know. And married James Potter.


I think of it as rather like - forgive me, I don't want to fill your time with such uncomfortable conversation, but - . It's an unfortunate mistake in genetics that they are born without magic, just as mudbloods are mistakes. A squib is not an authority on the muggle world and it's customs simply because it was born with their level of abilities, and a wizard born from muggles isn't the same as the rest of us because of it's the reverse of that...

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

*For once, Victoria seems to approve, gracing Regulus with a smile.*

Precisely. It is absolutely outrageous. Why, they're practically refugees - dangerous ones at that.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

*Caught up in his thoughts and the rarity of feeling able to speak openly about something, Regulus misses the smile and carries on. It's probably best he misses it, and doesn't become shy for it.*

Our families have always been responsible, to benefit you and me and keep us from muggle afflictions, defects - I should hate to think that because of people like Lily Evans that our families should be at risk one day.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

I firmly believe sound, rational action can prevent such a fate. Our future children will not bear such a heavy burden of worry.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

*Regulus makes the most horrified of faces and briefly ponders which would be more awful: this, or diving into a bed of fanged geraniums and being slowly devoured.*

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

Is there a problem, Mr. Black?

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

No.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

You look quite disagreeable.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

I...

Just was remembering something. It's nothing, do go on.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

Anything so upsetting naturally must make excellent conversation.

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

No it's-

*He stumbles over his words, privately inventing some thought he could have been having that isn't as dooming as anything concerning children.*

-Nothing that belongs in conversation with a woman. It's business.

[austenianhorror.livejournal.com]

*Victoria's interest is piqued, this concerns her, after all.*

A financial matter?

[spindleform.livejournal.com]

No, certainly not. More - sensitive than that.