Expect you think that I should be haunted but it never really bothers me

[like-a-boss.livejournal.com]

*It’s amusing, certainly. The pettiness of His followers

Lord Voldemort is well aware that reverence is as conditional as loyalty. It is a commodity that has always reeked of the in-genuine, a nicety he enforces with punishment in much the same way dogs are kept off the couch – with the knowledge that it is merely a trained habit, rather than a tenet truly understood. He’s always seen through it, that cautious socialization, the half-muttered scheming, the hush of awe, that scrambled and silent yearning for validation – the hope that play-acted respect can make up for incompetence, as if the gold-medallist in the Olympics of grovelling could ever hope to rise in His favour. Much like their painfully human forms, faith is as fragile as it is easy to manipulate. It’s almost fascinating, the way the air bristles now with poorly disguised discourse, the way preparation for the attack has given way to gossip and nervous second-glances. The appointment of Severus Snape as a spy seems to have struck a cord.*

Comments

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*He doesn't even realize it's Evan at first, not until he flinches and starts fidgeting with his mask. Lucius raises an eyebrow, taking in the sight of him and incorrectly crediting himself for Evan's state. His mouth curls into an unpleasant smile as he notes the poor shaving job, the dull complexion, the total absence of snark. He can't help it; he murmurs quietly to him, rather pleased with himself.*

Had a spat with Mummy, did we, Evan?

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*The worry has so completely consumed him that it takes full five seconds before he even understands what Lucius is referring to. And then there's anger, just a bit of it, the little flame for the coy and petty man next to him, what he's done, what he's tossed in front of Esmerelda, and then, what she did to Amrita, and then, what has been done to her, and he's right back where he started, except angrier. He snaps back, almost too loud, his face flooding pink against his will.*

No.

*His voice gets quieter, he's practically muttering under his breath.*

But you'd love it if that were it, wouldn't you, you fucking prick.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*His other eyebrow rises and he tips his head back a bit, looking down his nose at Evan. Rather than irritated, he just looks more amused.*

Now, now. Temper. Both of you can't be savages.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*Typically, there'd be some quick, apt jab back at him--that's how he and Lucius put up with each other, with little needle-pricks at each other's egos. But if it were anything other than the Dark Mark burning on his arm, if there were any reason at all to leave the flat to care for his own needs, he'd be elbow-deep in intestine at the moment and feeling better for it. That's the part of him that answers.*

For all your talk I think you wouldn't know real savagery if it came to your house in the middle of the night.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*That wipes the smirk off Lucius's face. For all that he enjoys toying with Evan, the fact remains that there is something wrong with the boy. Narcissa doesn't seem to see it, and he'd never be so brash as to bring it up with Esmerelda, but he's always given Lucius a low, creeping feeling at the back of his neck. And, since Draco's birth, a strong instinct to keep him away from his son. Whispered needling turns to a hiss.*

Is that a threat?

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. I probably couldn't even get through the wards unless Cissa invited me in.

*He taps a finger on the mask in front of him thoughtfully, as if truly considering slaughtering the Malfoys for the first time. It's not the first time he's thought of it, of course, but before it's been merely an exercise, one he does with almost everyone, how-would-I-kill-them. Now it seems a real possibility.

The mention of his cousin brings up a strange thought, though. It would still sound like a threat if there weren't a thread of eager hope in his whisper.*

What would you do if Narcissa fell ill?

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*For a moment he does take it as a threat, but Lucius is a smart man, quick enough to catch the tone lifting the corner of Evan's voice. He knows it because he recognizes it, because he's sounded like that himself: Evan's in love. Or at least smitten. That can only mean the half-breed Patil girl. Disgusting. It's imprudent, but he can't stomach being round-about threatened by his wife's brat of a cousin, certainly not if he's bedding a werewolf, and his retort is more provocative than it really should be.*

Call a Healer, I suppose. Though I suppose in your case a veterinarian would be more appropriate.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*Stupid Evan, stupid, it's Lucius, he knows--he wouldn't help even at knife-point--

Almost on instinct, when he thinks of his knife, Evan reaches back for it and draws it silently out, bringing around under the table to sit in his lap. It's a bit of a comfort to have the small, sharp thing there in his hand again.*

Must we be enemies, Lucius.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

Are we? I hadn't noticed.

*The dismissal is intended to convey one thing: you are not important enough for that. It is, of course, a lie.*

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

We are family.

*He thumbs the blade in his lap idly.*

My family is your family. Your family is mine. However you feel about me--why ever you feel that way--we are tied by blood.

*His mouth twists.*

I suppose that's why it galls you so.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*What galls is that he can't even point out that Evan is Narcissa's cousin, not his, because he's perfectly aware that the Malfoys and the Rosiers were already kin before that.*

My, my, aren't we feeling poetic tonight.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

You mock me because you have nothing of substance to say. Do remember that whomever I chose to make my family with becomes yours as well.

*The words, after they hiss out from between his teeth, are just as shocking to Evan as they might be to anyone else. No, certainly not that, it's completely--well, it's good enough, as far as threats to Lucius go, and he tries not to think about it any further.*

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*Annoyance flares into barely-contained hostility and disgust at that, and it's all Lucius can do to keep himself in check. As it is he hardly moves, but his grey eyes have gone dangerously angry.*

That dog will never be a member of my family.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

* . . . in for a knut, in for a galleon.*

She would be, if I willed it.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

You seem to be forgetting, Evan, that blood and marriage certificates are not all that dictates the term 'family'.

*Or else the name 'Andromeda' would not be a strict non-concept in his and Narcissa's household.*

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*Lucius' annoyance, the fact that it seems to really get under his skin, eggs him on. He's barely even listening to himself.*

You can deny it all you like, but you're still in-laws with a mudblood. Amrita's heritage is longer even than yours, Lucius.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

I rather doubt that it is. Anyhow you don't seem to be grasping the concept: we decide who counts, and who effectively no longer exists. I don't think you understand what disownment actually entails.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*He rubs a hand over his eyes, and his voice is more tired than sarcastic.*

Yes, because you think so highly of me already. I should hate to lose the close bond we've developed over the years, Lucius.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*Feeling he's gaining the upper hand back, Lucius smiles a little.*

Oh, not me. You would just be one less person to keep away from Draco. But I do shudder to think of your poor mother.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*At the mention of Esmerelda, his anger flares again.*

You can't possibly expect me to believe that you honestly care a whit for my mother. You'd feed your own son to a dragon if you think it'd save your own hide.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*This doesn't rankle because it's patently untrue, allowing Lucius to just sniff and shrug it off.*

I'd do no such thing. And don't be foolish, I'm very fond of Esmerelda. You've no idea what the grown-ups go through when someone's disowned, I certainly wouldn't wish that upon her.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

*Evan considers it, and then shakes his head.*

I do not believe you've ever cared for another human being outside of yourself in your entire life.

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

*That would almost be funny, if it weren't just this side of insulting. He looks at Rosier properly for a long moment; it's imprudent to discuss these things too openly at this kind of meeting, but Lucius can't let that slide. Not when it implies neglect of his wife and son.*

...Then clearly you know me less well than you thought.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

Do you mean to say that if Narcissa were bitten, you wouldn't cast her aside without a second thought?

[purely-better.livejournal.com]

Don't be ridiculous, Narcissa wouldn't get bitten.