p i t y (cici/liam)

[broadway]

Raychel flocked into the Room of Requirement hastily, her shoulders shaking. The Room had taken the form of a comfortable, but business-esque room, and she placed herself carefully into a soft armchair. She hadn't been able to sit still recently, and was furious with herself. If she were not a vampire, she would have looked haggard and sleepy, with bags under her eyes and such. The whole ordeal with Draco was weighing heavily on her. Luckily, Isabelle had not bound her by the Unbreakable Vow yet, so she could reveal the hiding place of the elder Malfoy. She brought her attention back to the task at hand.

The O'Malley's had called for her on this night to discuss plans for Isabelle's take over. She was glad to be working for the right side again. All of the Dark Magic and everything she was being forced to do in order to protect her loved ones and ultimately herself was tearing her to shreds. Too many had died at her hand, all good people, all with families who would never seem them again. She felt dreadful about this, but there wasn't much she could have done. Raychel was bound to the Dark Mistress by a nearly unbreakable bond now, and there wasn't much she could have done about that in the long run. A sound caused her to stand up, her long dark cloak billowing around her bare legs. She turned, nodding solemnly towards...

[itsaspaz]

Liam entered the room, all the stress going on in his life was showing clearly upon his face. He had a five o'clock shadow, dark circles beneath his eyes, and even his warm brown eyes conveyed his weariness. Liam ran a hand through his hair as he quietly closed the door behind himself. He concealed a yawn behind his hand and then went to speak with Raychel. "Cici was unable to accompany me this evening," said Liam. "Have you any news?"

[broadway]

Raychel smiled thoughtfully as Liam entered. She had always enjoyed his company, for he was a fantastic professor. She figured it was all in good business though, but she couldn't contain the joy searing through her to finally be playing for the right team, even if she had to go back to Isabelle soon enough. Raychel took note of Liam's haggard appearance and motioned for him to sit. "You look exhausted." she noted, taking a step away from the armchair she had previously occupied. She nodded solemnly. "I have the location of Draco's hiding place." she replied. "Borgin and Burke's"

[itsaspaz]

[blockquoe]

"We should have figured as much," said Liam, sinking into one of the comfortable armchairs. They had yet to share with anyone that Cici was pregnant with the Order perhaps it was for the better, you could never tell if anyone was listening. Even in meetings the phrase "the walls have ears" was quite accurate. "Is he well-guarded or is just the shop-keeper positioned there?" Liam asked, staring into the fire place.

[/blockquote]

[broadway]

Raychel remained on her feet, her features sharp and completely inhuman. There was no use hiding te true monster that she had become around Liam. "Just a shopkeeper. Isabelle would never believe I betrayed her. Even if she did, I would rather die by her hand. I'm halfway there already." she replied, her tone bitter. Her features softened as she realized what she had said. "I apologize. No need to trouble you with my petty problems."

[itsaspaz]

"They aren't petty," said Liam with a frown, contemplating when they would go to Borgin and Burke's to recapture Draco. The last thing they needed was him to be helping Isabelle. Though hardly a competent wizard, his aid, particularly his money, did not need to be on her side. "There is a lot on our plates, but I assure you, we will find a way to break the bond that Isabelle has over you." Liam said.

[broadway]

Raychel's features softened yet again, and she smiled gently. She merely nodded, taking a seat with a heavy sigh. She felt so old. Not very many seventeen-year-old's had their parents murdered, got Turned into a vampire by their murderer, then used as the key between survival in a war. And in less than a month no less. With a start she realized it was almost a month since that fateful day she had been Turned. Not that it was an exciting date to mark on a calender of course.

[itsaspaz]

"How often do Death Eaters stop by to check on him?" asked Liam, they needed to come up with a plan. Hardly much a schemer, he would have to go to his parents' house to discuss details further in depth with Cici. Or perhaps he would go instead to another leading force behind the Order, Demetri or Carrietta... But coming to think of it, Liam didn't want to bother her during her period of recovery.

[broadway]

"Isabelle and I are the only ones who know of his whereabouts. She checks in on him every Thursday around midnight. I check on him every night." Raychel replied softly. She could practically see Liam's brain chugging away, thinking of a plan. Raychel decided to ask a few questions of her own. "Is Carrietta recoverin?" she asked gently. She truly wanted to apologize to her, for it was her fault the professor was captured in the first place. "How is she?" she asked, her tone a bit softer.

[itsaspaz]

"The process is slow," said Liam, running a hand through his hair. Obviously his mind was elsewhere. Any night but Thursday would do, after the shop had closed for the night... "Her stomach still refuses to keep down substantial food, it is going to take more time, magic will not help her now." Liam said, frowning to himself.

[broadway]

Raychel nodded solemnly. She knew that much. If only she would have acted and saved her! She was furious with herself for letting Isabelle treat her as such. She was truly sorry that she had caused the woman such pain. She herself never touched the poor soul, but it was truly her fault she was in the condition she was in now. It was frustrating, yes, but there wasn't much she could do in that regard now. Liam seemed far off, and Raychel calmly waited for him to say something else, to say anything.

[itsaspaz]

Liam hunched forward, placing is elbows upon his knees, using his hands to support his head in thought. For God's sake, he was just a Herbology professor, not some sort of expert in this, nor was he an Auror. If he knew that this was what he would have been getting himself into... Liam did this for his wife, there wasn't a thing in the world he would not do for her. He was going to the dementors next month, that was what lovers did for one another. "Do you know if Isabelle is recruiting other species currently?" asked Liam, looking up from his own knees.

[broadway]

Raychel pulled her attention from a spot on the wall to look at her worn out Herbology professor. She pondered the question momentarily before nodding gently. "She's focusing more on those previously linked with Voldemort, with the Death Eaters. However, she has approached a giant clan in Africa. But her focus is mainly human at this point." she replied after a polite pause. "She is also using my position at St. Mungo's to gain other vampires and werewolves. But I've been keeping many from her." Her mind touched base on a girl, Jessica Reynolds, whom was still recovering in the hospital.

[itsaspaz]

Liam nodded, it didn't sound like he would have competition in going after the dementors, which would be a good thing. The Order had sent Isaac and Gabriella after existing vampires, but their tracking of werewolves had been halted, as the only one in their side was currently hidden away at his parents' farm. He stroked his stubbly chin in deep thought, this was getting more complicated than Liam would have liked to deal with.

[broadway]

Raychel evaluated Liam slowly. Something was obviously going on with him personally that she didn't know. He smelled of persperation, and something else she couldn't quite place. Was it straw perhaps? It smelled like a farm. She shook her head before she could get to lost in the smells. That would only prove untimely for Liam. She awaited further questions from him in polite silence.