#c: sethos flint

[alectocarrowx]

where: Rosetta's Restaurant who: @emmasvanity, @thorfinnrowlex, @ggathena, @sethosflint

It amazed Alecto how easily it was to influence those to do her bidding. She acquired a table for five, tucked off into the corner whilst another for two would be in eyes and ears of the larger one. One might have suggested she handled the matter in a different manner, but all she knew was chaos, and this was the most fitting way to achieve it.

Wine was re-poured into the five chalices, a few drops of something special in four prior to her guests arriving. This evening was about confessing the truth and perhaps these mortals may come to their senses before decisions were made damn the consequences.

Alecto rises from her chair, spotting the first two to arrive, Athena and Sethos, the utter shock on his face amused her.

"Athena, darling, so happy you made it." The brunette hugs the other, placing a kiss on both cheeks, her attention turning to Valeria's brother, who was too tall for his own good. "Sethos, pleasure. Why don't you both have a seat."

[ggathena]

who: @sethosflint where: Greengrass Manor, Glasgow, Scotland

Perhaps it wasn’t the smartest of decisions for her to take the handsome wizard home after the gala, especially considering it was her third inappropriate encounter of the night. However, Athena was driven by something stronger than her, something which she’d rather keep to herself. Perhaps it wasn’t the greatest idea she’d ever had but it did round up her night quite nicely, which was why she’d extended the invitation, hoping to see the Quidditch player again. No intention of removing her clothes, the brunette had asked Sethos over to her family’s manor for a bit of tossing quaffles around and having fun. “Well, there he is. I certainly do hope you brought your own broom as we discussed.” Athena welcomed him as she tied her hair up into a ponytail, a playful twitch of her lips. “Wouldn’t want you saying I beat you because I gave you a lousy broom.”

[thorfinnrowlex]

A hand waved for another drink to be ushered over, indulging in number three, trying to calm the rage building inside of him. This was a fucking disaster and there was nothing he could do to stop it. If he opened his mouth, truthful words would spill freely and he wouldn't be able to control them. He felt horrible for Emma, she didn't deserve to be trapped in this. Athena and him, this was a regular for him, and it was exhausting. No matter how hard they tried, something came between them; even putting themselves between each other.

Thorfinn glanced at Athena, the way she tore into Emma. "If you always wanted me Athena, then we should have never ended. You should have told me at the gala, that you loved me and we would have avoided this whole mess." His tone raised each word, but levelling out that most could not hear them. "It could have been us marrying this summer, but nope, we did our same shit show." It was classically them. "Leave Emma out of this, you want to go after me, then do it." He could handle it, he had been for years.

His attention turns to Emma, nodding his head, he was expecting it to end this way. "I am sorry, for what it's worth." And he was, the last thing he wanted to do was to hurt her.

The blonde finishes his drink, standing up. "Well Thea, if that is how you truly see me, then please do allow me to get on to my playing ways. I'm sure I can have a witch in my bed by the end of the night." There was truth in his words, because he could, and he was truly tempted to do so.

"Please do tell our host, I had a fucktastic night." He didn't leave the way Emma did, his head held high, he walked out of the restaurant.

Sethos took a moment to let it all soak in. There was this need for him to protect Athena, then looking over at Emma, he hated the position she was in. It hurt his head trying to figure out how he was feeling. Amber hues glanced over to Thorfinn, trying to read the male's facial expressions, but the look in his eyes, it looked murderous, curious who he wanted to aim it to.

He looked over to Emma, this need to know, despite not wanting to hurt Athena, it was evident that his heart still belonged to one, and no matter the time or distance placed between them, it wasn't the kind of love that faded, it was everlasting. "And are you, over me?" The words come spewing out of his mouth before he can stop them. That was all he wanted to know before this night ended, before she had no choice but to share her real thoughts.

His body turns to his date. "I never said I wasn't over her, but she was happy with someone, that it wasn't my place to ruin it." A pause. "I did enjoy our company together, you are beautiful, witty, determined, strong, qualities that I find attractive." He sighs. "I wanted to move on." That sounded lame, but honestly, all of this was giving him a headache and he was about done. "I think I'm about done here."

[thorfinnrowlex]

Well this was a shift show if Thorfinn was going to admit it. He should have known the evil witch would have been up to something this hideous, neither phased on what might be exposed at the table; though part of him was betting this was what she was wishing for. The waitress came with the extra drinks ordered and with all the truths being spilled, he shot back the drink, no flicker on his features with the strength of the alcohol content.

He listened to all the confessions being admitted, intrigued that there was a kiss between Sethos and Emma, a slight relief to the guilt he was facing for the night she shared with Athena. His feelings for the witch across from him were unfaltering, but the one beside him, he never did want to hurt her. He was genuine in his intention with Emma. The blonde could feel it, the undying need to spew the fucking truth from his mouth and there was no holding it back. Did he mention Alecto Carrow was the devil incarnate?

Attention first shifted to Emma, looking her in the eyes. "It was never a game with you. I wanted this. I desperately wanted to be able to move on with you." At least they all knew he would be speaking the truth. "Athena will always have my heart," bloody hell, "and will be my weakness. That night I was having a hard time with accepting what you and Rabastan were doing, that when I was locked away with Athena for the night, the thought that I almost lost her, I could not deny how I felt, but it was a goodbye." He glances over to the witch that owned him. "These games, I never knew where we stood and my parents wanted me to marry, and since we were no longer, I deserved to move on." A flicker to Seth. "As it seems you have too."

He laughed, fingers combing through his hair, Thorfinn wanted to be angry, he wanted to find Alecto and share his thoughts, but the was baffled by the predicament they were all faced with. This situation, only one that she could create.

@ggathena

Sethos heard rumours about what Alecto was capable of, but never in his wildest dreams did he believe he'd be part of her scheming ways. He landed back in his chair, not quite putting two together about why the devious witch would ask that question until he turned to Athena and saw the look on her face. Amber hues flickered to the empty glass he polished off to calm his nerves.

The wizard could agree that she was evil, brows pinching together at his dates confession. He knew of Emma with someone but never figured it would be her friend's ex-boyfriend, not that he was one to judge considering the truth Athena seemed to be lacking. The guilt bubbled inside of him, all the truth being revealed that he couldn't stop himself from spilling his own confession.

"It seems you both have a thing for each other's ex's." He kept his hand on Athena's, not wanting to hurt her. "I'm Emma's ex, from five years ago." He wasn't one to anger easily, keeping a calm demeanour. "And if I'm being honest," he had no control of, "we shared a kiss, drunk kiss, a few nights ago." A kiss he rather enjoyed.

@emmasvanity

[alectocarrowx]

It did not surprise the witch that the two other witches seemed to be confused about her topic to start this little gathering that her time was falling short upon. Silence lingers at Thorfinn's question, taking the opportunity to finish her refreshment before she stood looking at the four of them.

"I do hope you found the drink to your liking." A sweet, innocent, smile turns on her lips, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "It appears there are secrets amongst good friends. Feelings denied. I deemed this the best to speak freely, in an area where tempers cannot get the best of us." A beat. "I wish to let the truth be free." A hint that perhaps there was more to their drink than mere wine.

Alecto turns to Athena. "Are you over Thorfinn?" It was the start to the domino effect that would escalate this conversation until all truths were revealed. "And does Emma know of that night?" She did not mean to single out Athena first, but all of them here had their fair share of guilt. "Excuse me," with that, she made her leave, letting the four of them deal with the web they weaved, finding her table for two in the shadows where another awaited.

Confusion was the best way to describe her feelings when she met Athena's eyes, eyebrows furrowing together. Why in Merlin's name was her best friend angry at her? Surely she didn't imagine the fury in Athena's eyes? She should be the one that's upset, this was ridiculous. Athena was sitting way too close to Seth and all she wanted to do was rip them away from each other, jealousy she knew she had no right to feel running through her veins. Athena was one of her best friends and all Emma wanted was for her to be happy but did it have to be with him? Anyone else she would have no problem with, but this? This she couldn't handle. Perhaps it made her immature, but sharing had never been something she was good at. In her mind, Sethos still belonged to her. He always would. Of course she noticed that he refused to look at her, which despite probably being a good thing, still it stung more than she would be willing to admit.

Eyeing the wine on the table she takes the glass, holding herself back from finishing it in one big gulp, taking several smaller sips instead. Wine would not be enough to get through tonight, she needed something stronger. As soon as their waiter appeared she would order a shot of firewhiskey. When she looked over at Athena again she noticed the other witch look over at Thorfinn, the way she was looking at him only throwing up more questions for Emma. She had definitely missed something, but what? In the midst of trying to figure all this out Alecto's words brought her out of her thoughts. "What was this about Quidditch?" Truthfully, her mind had been elsewhere so she hadn't paid proper attention.

"Interesting's certainly a word for it."

@thorfinnrowlex

[thorfinnrowlex]

The wine didn't take long to disappear, ordering himself a drink when Emma did, trying to let everything process. He didn't like the fact that Athena was here with his best friends brother, though he was warned by Valeria of the connection, but it was the last thing on his mind where he thought it would become something more. Not that he had a place to judge, considering he walked out that night because he was determined to give his all to Emma.

Dealing with Alecto had to be done delicately, that was something he had learned over the years, and though rage rang from his ears, he knew it could only get worse. There was a game here, but he wasn't' sure if all four of them together was the end goal, or more was to transpire. For once, he wished he was a step ahead of the game. That was what made him feel uneasy.

"Work is fine, Alecto." He paused. "Why are we here?" He was bold enough to ask, though cautious in his tone.

Sethos remained quiet, continuing to sip on the drink in his hands. He could feel the awkward tension linger between the four of them and though his eyes cast on the witch at the head of the table, he was learning something new about her. He had heard rumours before, whispers in the night, but she was much crueller than he'd give her credit for.

A hand reached for Athena's under the table, giving it a small squeeze, unable to bring his attention to Emma. It would break his heart too much to see her sitting there was someone that wasn't him. Which was odd, considering tonight he was going to ask Athena if she wanted to date, see where this could take them. His head was spinning and when Quidditch was brought up, it seemed to pull him back to reality.

"Busy, which I like." He wasn't going to be entirely rude, and he didn't want to upset her any further. "Next week's match should be interesting." The one where he played against his ex's team.

@emmasvanity

[alectocarrowx]

Alecto had no doubt that her plan would go accordingly, the chaos buzzing around her like a magnetic field. Carefully she watched each of them, how they reacted to the others, and did her greetings with Emma and Thorfinn, being the last one to sit down.

"I am grateful that you could all attend." She reaches for her wine, to take a sip, following the two boys, keeping the coy smirk from her lips. "I thought with the newly couples," she was reaching on Athena and Sethos, but had an inkling feeling it could go that way, "that we could have dinner. Rabastan would have attended, but alas, work." The last part was a little white lie, Alecto kept him out of her dealings, quite fond of their bonding time at night, wrapped in each others arms, and she'd share her day with him.

"You must all tell me how each of you are doing?" She kept the charade up, needing a little longer before she'd drop the bomb. "How is Quidditch?" Knowing that three of the played, her eyes falling on Thorfinn, already sensing his distaste for her, which pleased the brunette. "How is the Ministry? You must know all these secrets that you can't share. Pity, really."

@ggathena

When Alecto first had extended the dinner invitation to her things had been different. Her official relationship with Thorfinn was still very new and despite the fact that they had been seeing each other for over a year now, it felt different when you were seeing multiple people casually to openly dating one man. Everything had gone so fast, meeting his parents, him meeting her parents. It began to feel like a lot of pressure to her. She had feelings for Thorfinn and loved being around him, he was the first man that made her feel anything remotely close to what she'd felt for Sethos. Emma knew that she needed to talk to him about it and about what happened at her friends birthday party. Cheating in anything went against her moral code, whether it be relationships or Quidditch and the fact that she'd kissed Sethos made her feel guilty. Especially because of the feelings it brought up inside of her. She had enjoyed that kiss way too much. She'd figured- or hoped, that kissing him would confirm that what they had was firmly in the past, that there was no tension or attraction to each other left but she'd been wrong. Oh, how wrong she'd been. Now what she would do about it, she wasn't certain. This was an unfamiliar situation for her, usually so sure of what she wanted.

Taking a deep breath she looked over at Thorfinn before entering the restaurant. "Alecto and Rabastan should be around here somewhere." She informed him, looking around the restaurant before her eyes landed on a familiar pair of brown ones, next to the icy blue of Athena's eyes. Emma stood still, as if frozen. It wasn't Alecto and Rabastan like she had assumed after their tea. It was Alecto, Athena and Seth. The smile on her face disappeared for a moment before she fixed her mask of charming politeness. This seemed like a sick joke. She didn't want a front row seat to her ex and her best friend cozying up to each other. Athena didn't even know about their history. Emma thought if she ignored it, she could avoid ever seeing them together. It felt like her heart was getting ripped out of her chest. Emma knew she couldn't walk away, she had to play along and walk over there. Faking a brighter smile as they walked up to the table, her hand squeezing Thorfinn's a little too much. "This is a fun surprise, Alecto." Her tone was sugary sweet but her eyes betrayed her ire as she looked over at her friend.

@thorfinnrowlex

[thorfinnrowlex]

Thorinn opened his mouth to protest going to this dinner the second he heard Alecto Carrow's name, a witch he preferred to stay a hundred yards away. She was evil incarnate and despite his cruel demeanour, he held no candle to that witch. Yet, for his girlfriends sake, and saving face in the pureblood society, he agreed to go with her.

"This should be interesting," he murmured to Emma, taking a moment to steal a kiss before the two of them came face to face with the devil herself, which was the kindest words to describe her the second he realised Athena was there, with no other than Sethos Flint, a fellow Death Eater and someone he had worked with. He felt the rage hit him, but then knowing how devious the witch could be, and her connections, he cooled it for the one on his arm.

He greeted Alecto back with a tight smile, before moving around to pull open the chair for Emma, only taking a seat beside her, instantly reaching for the wine in front of him, not finishing until the glass was empty. Thorfinn had no words to say, he already knew in the pit of his gut that his was going to turn into a nightmare.

Sethos didn't know what to make of this dinner, not when told who was going to be there. Alecto Carrow was a name one did not refuse their company, it didn't end well considering all her connections. The only saving grace was going with Athena, someone he had been spending a little more time with lately.

He has his distractions, which seemed out of character for him, that his time spent with the witch on his arm, brought a sense of happiness that trying something new, allowing himself to be happy, didn't seem like a bad idea. Everyone else was moving on and it was time he put himself first.

His eyes scanned the restaurant when they entered, noting that they were off a little from the normal crowd, which should have raised concern, but it didn't. "Pleasure," he didn't know what else to say, pulling out the chair for Athena to sit down before taking the one beside her, he couldn't help but notice a setting for two more people. It was Athena's words that pulled him back to her. "I have ideas," he whispered back before he heard the door open and curiosity hit him, turning to find his ex walking through, with her boyfriend.

Attention instantly falls on Alecto, watching her turn to greet the other two and he could feel the dread hitting him, reaching forward to take a sip of the wine presented.

next: @emmasvanity