get me out of my m i n d (anabelle)

[erikoliver]

Erik had been thinking a lot lately. It wasn't often he got time to himself, what with his family and his new little sister, watching over Nat every so often, playing music around London, the works. So, when received the opportunity to stop in at the Leaky Cauldron for a firewhiskey or two, he couldn't resist. It gave him time to sit at the bar, have a drink, and ponder life. Erik walked into the pub, seating himself at the bar. An older man came up and asked what he'd like. "Firewhiskey," he said, throwing his money on the countertop. The man scooped up the money, reaching behind the counter and handing Erik his drink.

Erik picked it up, taking a hearty swig, loving the heat trickling down his throat. Setting the bottle back on the counter, he ran a hand through his hair. He'd gone with a subtle look that day, wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt, his black Converse laced onto his feet. Taking another drink, he closed his eyes, as he often did when it deep thought. His mind trailed to his parents, who were beginning to struggle even more so than usual. Both his parents had realized what adopting a little girl would do, especially since his mother was recovering from her ovarian cancer. However, the two had insisted on adopting Leleti.

He smiled softly, thinking of his little sister, whom he had just seen only an hour before. She was a very pretty child, her skin a pretty ebony color. Her hair was long and full, for being only two years of age, and it was a glossy black. Erik loved her eyes the most out of her physical characteristics, since they were a deep shade of brown, almost black. However, like his dark eyes, they were surprisingly full of unspoken emotion. It was a beautiful thing. That, and the child showed an increasing interest in music. Erik had played the piano for her that day, and she'd gone wild. A bell rang, signifying the entrance of someone new. Erik didn't pay any attention, opening his eyes and taking another drink of his firewhiskey.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle wouldn't say the Leaky Cauldron would be her first choice when it came to finding a place to have a drink. The places she often went were sophisticated, though in a way the Leaky Cauldron was perfect, it was an escape from the life she hated so much. Although being a Dupree there was no where in the Wizarding world, including this place, where she could go and not get recognised. As she stepped through the doors, a few of the current patrons turned to observe her, and she didn't miss their whispering.

A drink before heading home was what she needed to unwind after a day suffering through wedding plans with her Mother. Yes the arranged marriage/wedding was still on, and it was soon, when she didn't know but it was before her 19th which was too soon for her. Anabelle was seriously debating leaving everything she'd ever known, she wondered if she could runaway...but then reality set in and she knew with her Father's connections she'd not get far.

Crossing the pub, she paid no mind to the whispering patrons instead she listened to the click of her heels before she came to a stop in front of the bar. Smiling at the bartender she placed some Galleons down, "A glass of your finest wine please." she said politely, shrugging off her cloak and neatly folding it on the chair beside her. Tucking her form fitted blue, knee length dress beneath her as she sat down, her posture straight, looking every inch the proud, sophisticated Dupree. Not paying any mind to the other man sat at the bar, instead she delicatley readjusted the thin strap of her dress, before reaching for her glass and taking a small sip.

[erikoliver]

Erik's ears picked up a silky, familiar voice to his left, and he felt his eyes go wide. Anabelle... the name was rancid on his tongue. Not only was she one of the most snooty, pompous, arrogant heiress' he knew, but she was also an ex-fling, and not one that he was too proud of. The two had hooked up briefly, knowing only each others' names, nothing more. So, it had come as a shock when he found out that Miss Anabelle was actually Anabelle Dupree. What the hell was she doing in a pub like this?

Erik became slightly self-conscious, and he pulled his left arm out of her sight. If she saw his tattoos, she'd know it was him, they were a dead-giveaway, like a trade mark. He took a heavy swig of his firewhiskey, knowing that, by nights end, he'd go home wasted out of his mind. Of course, that was only if Anabelle didn't leave before then. He made himself look smaller, tousled his hair, hoping she wouldn't look over and recognize him.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle hid a smirk. Out the corner of her eye she'd seen the man at the bar bristle, pulling his arm out the way and doing what he could to seem invisible to her. Sadly for him she'd noticed him, who he was the moment she'd taken a sip of her wine, she'd know those tattoo's anywhere. Erik an ex-fling of hers, it had been one night that was all. He like all the others though hadn't wanted to know upon finding out her name, who she really was, this was why she kept people at arms length, it was people like him who'd more than likely hurt her given the chance.

"Hiding away Erik?" she asked, taking another sip of her wine and not looking at him, instead she paid extreme attention to her perfectly manicured nails. After a few moments she finally looked at him, her eyes dancing with amusement, she suspected he'd make a run from this place, from her if he could.

[erikoliver]

Erik bristled up as Anabelle's lips formed his name. He straightened up, itching his tattoos, examining his drink with great detail. "Not as much as you are, dear Anabelle," he replied smoothly. He looked up and met her amused gaze with his own spiteful one. His breath caught in his throat, he had always been intimidated by her extreme beauty. It was as if his mind was always two steps behind his eyes when it came to Anabelle. He'd see her and drink in her beauty, then in a split second remember what she was to him.

Anabelle was everything he despised. The Duprees were right up there with the Malfoys when it came to Pureblood supremacy, and were completely against who he was, in all his Mudblood glory. When he'd fallen for her charm and her looks that night and had that one-night stand, he never dreamed that he'd entered forbidden territory. When he learned of her name and status, he'd crept away to the best of his ability. Anabelle also hated herself and hid behind a mask. He'd learned that the moment they'd opened up to each other that night, and he believed himself to be the only Muggleborn, maybe even human being, in the world to know of her true self.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle rolled her eyes and turned away from him, lifting her glass to her lips, "We're all hiding something right." she commented before taking a sip of her wine. Being around Erik always put her on edge, he seemed to see right through this facade she had to put up and she hated it, if he could see it who else could?

The spite, the hatred in his eyes didn't affect her like it would some people. In all honesty, many people like Erik judged her purely on her families name, so she was used to these looks, they were simply of the norm. She didn't say anymore to Erik, not sure what to say, around him she was often rendered quiet, scared of giving anything more away.

[erikoliver]

Erik smirked, turning back to his own drink. He held up his bottle, in a mock toast. "Don't we all?" he replied flatly, throwing his head back and taking a rather large swig. At this rate, he would be completely smashed by the time he found his way home. Luckily, he'd had plenty of practice Apparating drunk, he'd only been splinched a few times. Either way, he had an Essence of Dittany at home, he'd be fine. Taking another drink, he folded his arms underneath him and lay his head down, shielding his face from Anabelle's cold heart.

It wasn't that he only judged her for her family, it was much more than that. Erik had met the Duprees before, and it was only then he'd realized that they were like all the other Purebloods. They had been in a pub as he played his music, and they'd stopped him after the show just to tell him that he was a filthy Mudblood and that he was going no where in life. Erik wondered if Anabelle knew that he'd almost popped Daddy-Dearest in the nose after he'd said that?

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle looked at Erik in time to see him rest his head on top of his arms. Taking this as an end of conversation, or leave me the hell alone gesture, she looked away from him once more. Lifting her glass she took another sip, her mind slowly drifting back to the place it often wandered. How could she get out of this marriage, the only sure way was death and right now, after meeting her future husband, it looked like a good option.

Sighing she took a longer sip of her wine, barely reacting when some drunk slid up beside her, way to close for comfort. She did nothing to hide her distain and even went as far as to lean away from him, "Slumming it with us lesser folks are we princess?" he spat at her. Anabelle didn't react though his words did hurt her, why couldn't she just be left alone. "Just dropping in to see how the other half lives yeah?" his grubby hand had dropped onto her thigh, and she quickly batted it away barely having time to say anything before the man was ushered out by the bartender. Pretending not to notice the stares once more, Anabelle crossed her legs again and turned back to the bar, taking a sip of her drink....

[erikoliver]

Erik looked up as the severely drunken man slurred at Anabelle, peeking just over his arms. His heart ached slightly in seeing her treated like that,but it was mostly just because it was a man treating a woman like a piece of meat, nothing more. Truthfully, Erik wanted to applaud the man for calling Anabelle out. Sitting up straighter and running a hand through his hair, Erik smirked, draining the last of his firewhiskey. "Man's got a point, hun," he said pointedly. "What's a rich girl like you doing with us 'lees-worthy' folk?" Erik pondered, putting air-quotes where necessary whilst ordering another bottle.

Erik wasn't trying to be an asshole, it just came off that way. He genuinely wasn't a cruel person, but he couldn't help himself around Anabelle and her kind. Taking a swing of his second bottle, he felt the satisfactory burning sensation in his throat. He'd never get tired of alcohol, though he wasn't an alcoholic. Even he couldn't deny that the drinks of sinners helped calm his mind and bury his daily troubles away.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle looked at Erik with a frown. Of course she knew he didn't like her, he made no secret of that fact but she hadn't pegged him as outright cruel. Instead of answering she looked away from him, determined to finish her drink, making it look like what had been said hadn't bothered her. She doubted even Erik could tell, she knew he couldn't, she'd had years of perfecting her attitude.

Taking a long sip of her drink she allowed her eyes to linger on the glass as her perfectly manicured finger gently skirted around the rim. The glass was now half empty, and she could soon leave. As it turned out everyone hated her apparently, though she'd sort of known that anyway, although it still bothered her. Shaking her head she let her thoughts drift to what she was supposed to be doing tomorrow, looking at damn wedding invitations.

[erikoliver]

Erik smirked a bit as she ignored him, turning her attention to her drink. "Thought so," he muttered to himself. He knew she wouldn't answer, that it'd hurt her into silence. Still, Erik felt a little guilty, he wasn't someone who normally was cruel to those who didn't ouwardly deserve it. After all, Erik didn't really hate Anabelle herself, he just hated what her wealth and status made her out to be. In a rare moment of kindness, he called the bartender over to him. Tipping his head towards Anabelle, he said, "The lady's next round's on me." The bartender looked him over quizzically, but obliged when Erik slid a few Galleons his way to pay for it. The bartender scooped up the money and poured Anabelle a second drink.

Erik took a drink of his firewhiskey, glancing over at Anabelle. He tried to look at things from her perspective, but found it in increasingly difficult. After all, they were about as opposite as two people could get. Erik was an outspoken, rather poor Muggleborn male, earning just enough to survive, while Anabelle was a Pureblood female who kept her true self locked away, having enough money to survive the rest of her life without ever lifting a finger. Still, Erik was striving to delve into her mind to gain a new perspective on things, making a split second decision to become the better person, even though it was going to be a painful process.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle was momentarily stunned by the fact Erik had bought her a drink. Looking at him she nodded her head slightly, "Thank you." she said softly, before looking away. Honestly she didn't know what he thought this meant, his actions confused her, wasn't this the guy who got great pleasure out of ripping her to shreds, hating her? He'd certainly gotten great pleasure out of watching that drunk talk to her the way he had.

Cringing, she placed her free hand on her leg, covering the spot he'd touched already feeling filthy. Brushing her hair back over her shoulder, she allowed her fingers to begin playing with the small pendant hanging around her neck, resting neatly against her chest as she fought away the thoughts of her upcoming nuptuals.

[erikoliver]

Erik nodded back, taking a drink and watching her. "Don't mention it," he replied gently, turning back to his own drink. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Anabelle self-conciously cover up her leg, and he hid a small smirk. Once an heiress, always an heiress, he presumed. "You look like you needed it," Erik added thoughtfully. Anabelle did indeed look distracted, though by what, he couldn't say. Erik took another drink before making another snap decision he'd probably regret. Standing, he made his way over and took the seat next to Anabelle, staying on her left side.

"Kindness is a virtue," Erik muttered, semi-explaining his intentions to Anabelle. "So, forgive me for pestering you, but... are you alright?" he asked, words tasting slightly rancid on his tongue as his brown eyes flicking over to study her face. Once more, he was over-whelmed with her beauty, but looked down at his drink before he could potentially let that information slip. Erik's fingers played with the mouth of his firewhiskey bottle gently, awaiting a snide remark or cold reply.

[anabelledupree]

Anabelle frowned when Erik came and sat beside her, without force as well. She didn't look at him, instead she focused on her drink then the ones behind the bar with extreme interest. Honestly she wasn't in the mood for any of their games tonight, snide remark here and there she could take, but no game playing she was done, at least for tonight. When he said kindness was a virtue she bit her tongue.

Anabelle knew she could have very easily made a cruel comment, or at least a snide one to that remark but she didn't, instead she nodded her head once. "Yes I am. Thank you for asking." she said when he asked if she was alright. Like she was going to tell him that she was anything but alright, that right now she was searching for a way out of her life, any way out.

[erikoliver]

Erik looked at Anabelle, then managed a small half-smile. "You're welcome," he replied softly, though the words tasted bitter. He couldn't believe he was being even a little kind to Anabelle. Still, she looked distracted, and Erik wasn't one to be cruel and not help, even if he happened to hate the person who was feeling down. Erik could tell she was lying, though he wasn't sure how he knew. Erik knew whatever was going on with Anabelle was none of his business. Still, he couldn't help but wonder... Maybe that just made him nosy.

Erik took another drink from his firewhiskey, turning around and resting his elbows on the counter, facing the pub. He wasn't a regular there, but he'd been around long enough to know a few of the familiars. Only a few people his age ever came into the pub, it was mainly older wizards. Witches were uncommon, as were Purebloods, so Anabelle was definitely an oddity. Paired with the fact that the majority of the wizarding world recognized her, and she was practically famous. People were trying not to gawk at the beauty, and Erik couldn't blame them.