An Odd Place to Meet (Alexei)

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Sienna glanced over her shoulder one last time before entering the shop, making sure she wasn't followed or that anyone she knew was watching her. After all, a fifteen-year-old entering a shop that specialised in poisonous candles wasn't something typical. Sure, Sienna wasn't typical, but most people didn't know that side of her.

The air inside the shop was cool and damp, and she hid a smile. If there'd been so much as a hint of smoke she would have left without a second thought. Picking up a tiny basket by the entrance, she nodded once to the shopkeeper and made her way further inside.

"No testing of samples" she murmured to herself, reading the sign hanging above every shelf before scanning over the displays, looking for something in particular, a light smile playing on her lips at the idea of some idiot actually lighting a candle to test it. There were many idiots out there; she was sure someone, somewhere, had attempted it at least once before. After all, that was why the sign had been introduced, right?

What it was, she wasn't yet sure. All she knew was that her parents had dropped her a text asking her to pick up some samples for them to study from the shop. They would have, except that they were known by face and people were beginning to suspect that they were only buying it to mimic their properties. Since she was in the area and had to do her shopping for school before returning home for her summer school lessons, it was easier for her to make a quick detour than for them to send someone from America to do it.

Her gaze fell onto a selection of ones that promised to send the person into a deep sleep and picked up the pink one, giving it a tentative sniff. It only worked when lighted, and one always needed to ensure that it promised to smell nice enough for the recipient to light. Rose. She put it back down and reached for the blue one. This had a light ocean fragrance and she smiled slightly, placing it in the basket.

Moving down to one that claimed it would cause violent vomiting, she began her process again, looking for nice scents.

Guest

Alexei glanced around at all the candles in the shop, his eyes taking in the many poisonous and toxic wax sticks that just had so much potential. He walked through the shop with a basket in his hand that was already filled with a handful of the sticks, all different colours with some coming in packs of two or three. He enjoyed the different selection the shop seemed to have and this shop was quickly becoming his favourite; in Italy, he would've been watched but in England, in Knocturn Alley particularly, they weren't too fussy.

His brother was in Borgin and Burkes, searching for some rare potion books that he wanted so Alexei had been quick to step into this shop to widen his collection of poisons, even if they were in candle form.

"I wonder..." Alexei murmured as he moved down the aisles, looking for a particular candle that would induce hallucinations in a victim; he wanted to do some experimenting with that type of candle to see how far the hallucinations would get. He finally found said candles by the ones that would induce violent vomiting and started looking for ones that wouldn't alarm anyone with their actual scents. It wouldn't do for his victims to actually realise what was happening.

Picking up a few different coloured ones, Alexei went ahead smelling them to see which one would work best; the brown and white one he instantly put back, chocolate and vanilla were not good scents for anyone. He debated on the blue and green ones, with blue being the fresh scent of the ocean while the green one was the scent of grass. He debated for a couple of minutes before placing both in his basket, he could always gift the other one to someone else.

Guest

Finally deciding on a forest scent, she placed that in her basket and was just starting to move down to the next section when someone stepped up beside her. Intrigued, Sienna pretended that she was still choosing a candle from her section, watching him closely to see what he was doing. He didn't seem all too familiar, but he was good looking, not that she really cared about that. She had enough people falling at her feet whether or not she wanted them to. It was both a perk and a downside of her inherited abilities.

She brought her mind back to the male beside her. He appeared to be older but not by much, and already Sienna was curious as to why someone around her age would have a need for such candles. Sure, he could be wondering the same about her, but she wasn't bothered about that; she knew why she was there, and it frankly wasn't that interesting. After all, running errands for the 'rents was always a bore, even if it involved poisonous candles.

Watching as he put back a particular scent, she hid a smile. So he didn't like chocolate and vanilla. That was one of those weird smells you either loved or hated -- except for her. She didn't mind it, but wouldn't willingly seek it out. Still, it was information (although how it was helpful, she didn't know) and she dutifully stored it away. One never knew what would be useful in the future, she was always told, and while she highly doubted him not liking chocolate and vanilla scented candles would ever come in handy, she obeyed her training as always.

However, she noted moments later, he liked ocean and grass scents.

The entire time she'd been observing him from the corner of her eye, she'd been picking up and examining her own candles, pretending to be looking for a particular scent. It was now that she placed the one she'd been holding into her basket -- she could always put it back later, or leave it at the register -- and decided that she really did need to get to know the male beside her.

So, casually, she said, "Those don't work very well. I wouldn't get one, let alone two -- but feel free if you don't believe me." It was true, too; her parents had tested that particular candle a few months ago and found it less than satisfactory. What she failed to mention, however, was that they found certain scents added to the success; which and why, though, they were still trying to figure out.

But those were family secrets, and she was not a snitch. "If you really want hallucinations, I can suggest an orderless tasteless potion that works much better," she added.

Guest

Alexei rarely listened to people's opinions on things, he'd rather try something himself than actually just getting by on what someone said so when the girl said they wouldn't work, he just stared at her from the corner of his eye and drawled out, his Italian accent coming through. "Thank you for the opinion but I'd rather try." He then stared at the basket in her hand and just arched a brow; he was tempted to ask what a girl, younger than him, was doing in this shop but he was going to keep his mouth shut; he'd be a hypocrite otherwise, considering the fact that he had been shopping here ever since last year when he first came to England.

The offer from the girl though made him pause and stare at her piercingly, his expressionless eyes raking over her form, ignoring everything about her before they settled on her face, a perfectly sculpted brow arching in question. "A potion?" He curled his lips into a smirk. "Do tell what this Potion is. I may be willing to try it." Though he was quite sure his brother had that Potion already in his stocks; it was a surprise how many potions their house contained but then again with his brother being a Potion's Master it was no surprise really.

As he waited for her reply, Alexei let his eyes roam over the shop, sharp eyes taking in the different people there, along with the shopkeeper who were looking at the two of them though he only sneered before turning back and raking his eyes over the shelves, hoping that some other candle would catch his eye; he had plans on saving all of these up and sending them for Christmas presents to his dear family in Italy and hopefully they would bring some good results.

Guest

She noted his accent -- it was hard not to -- and a smile touched her lips. "Like I said: feel free," she replied, without skipping a beat. "I can tell you now, though, that they take too long to kick in and if your target is even remotely suspicious of things, it's pretty obvious when it starts up. There's a gap of exactly six and a half seconds between the start and loosing awareness, more than enough time to extinguish the candle or get away."

Perhaps giving away that sort of information was a little cheap -- she could have sold that for quite a bit should she have wanted to -- but she wanted to see what he made of it. Sure, she didn't expect him to listen to her (that was a rookie mistake, and he didn't seem like he was new to the whole thing) but what someone did when freely given helpful information was useful. Besides, if she ever saw him again after he found what she said to be true... well, then that would be interesting.

His question showed he was, at the very least, listening -- but Sienna merely smiled and shook her head. "It's a complicated one," she told him, mentally going through the ingredient list. "And expensive to make, but well worth it. It takes three months to brew and produces only a vial worth, but one drop is enough for the trick, so it's value is still there."

Reaching into her handbag, she removed a small notebook and pen, and scribbled down some things before ripping out the page and holding it out to the male. "The ingredients and most of the steps. I'm afraid the exact value of each ingredient, however, is a trade secret." She smiled almost apologetically. "The potion itself, though, is for sale should you want to see exactly what it does. I must warn you that the price is rather steep."

Guest

"Hmm..." Alexei stared at the girl some more before he turned back to his candles, his brows furrowed; he would try them first and if they didn't work so well he wouldn't be buying them again. It's not like he had any money to lose considering the fact that he and Marcus had pretty much stolen more than half of their father's money and that money was gaining interest every month along with the money that came in from the many investments they had, not including Marcus' potion making business which was making enough money as well. "Considering the fact that the person I'm sending this to is slow," As his second step-brother was. "I doubt he'd notice." He drawled dryly with a smirk upon his lips.

Alexei wasn't an idiot, the fact that it was complicated certainly didn't make him any less eager to get his hands on it or to make it. "Money's no problem." He said with a hum as he flicked his eyes through the shelves around them, his hands automatically picking up some of the candles that he knew worked but wanted to experiment more.

"..." He looked at the ingredients list and a slow smirk appeared on his lips as he memorised the list before setting it on fire. "My brother's probably got it in his collection." He made a mental note to quiz his brother on this potion even though he'd rather do it on his own.

Guest

Laughing slightly, she shook her head, amused. "Well, who can say? Some people are remarkably good at pretending," she offered, not disbeliving him but rather taunting. It was interesting information nevertheless; the male before her was willing to spend money on a male that wasn't quite smart, if what was being told to her was true. That meant one of two things -- he had a mark, or it was a petty revenge ploy.

But he'd chosen the word 'sending' -- that meant it wasn't someone he had daily contact with, and if it were a mark, it was better to give it in person. But it wasn't someone he didn't know, either; who burnt candles sent by a stranger? So, someone he knew well but didn't want to visit, but not someone who would be suspicious of a candle sent. Family? Business partner? Ex-boyfriend? No, he didn't appear to be gay, although one couldn't always tell.

But she pushed all this aside for the timebeing. She'd figure it out eventually -- she usually always did -- and instead took on his next set of words. It had been said casually, without emphasis, and she knew a few things. Firstly, he didn't just mean he had money -- he meant he had money, for those who did never really stopped to think about cost. She understood that far too well herself. Next, it meant that he didn't care what he spent his money on; for all he knew, she could've been lying about it.

Furthermore, it meant he had no qualms showing off his wealth. Lastly, he was not afraid of failing. Sienna took careful note of all these things and said merely, "Good luck."

A light smirk touched her features as she watched him burn it. Now there was someone who knew a secret when he saw one. A part of her was also glad that she hadn't given him the most important parts of the recipe and only the basic outline of it that anyone with a background in potions would be able to discover if they examined the finished product. If he could memorise it in those few moments, Sienna knew she'd have to be very, very careful what she showed him or said. But, still, it was nice to deal with a professional; she was getting tired of amateurs. Raising an eyebrow, she quirked her lips into a larger smirk and, speaking slowly, said, "I certainly hope he doesn't; it doesn't go on sale until next week."

Pausing, she picked up a pinch of ashes and sprinkled it onto the floor, staring at the dust that fell. "Family recipe. This was one of the few copies -- although partial -- but I don't suppose I have to caution you now, do I?"

Guest

"Believe me when I say, not him. He doesn't know how to pretend anything." Alexei snorted softly at the thought of his second brother pretending anything; he was so bad at keeping secrets and at pretending that it was no wonder he and his bitch of a mother had failed to kill Alexei when he had been just a baby and a pre-teen. Alexei always knew when his food had been poisoned purely because the idiot couldn't contain his excitement at hopefully seeing him dead. Even Marcus had shown his disgust at his younger brother not being able to keep emotions like that hidden. Being a part of the Mafia meant that they had to be able to keep their emotions in check, no matter how funny or how bad things got.

Alexei certainly had no problem showing off his wealth, after all, what was the point of having money if you hid it? It certainly made everything easier if you could just flash around your money but for Alexei, while he had no qualms about admitting to his wealth, he hated just flashing the money around, it was a waste, especially on things that you don't actually need.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he did." Alexei retorted to her before smirking himself. "And if he doesn't, it won't surprise me if he buys it and tries to break it down to find all the ingredients and then try to make his own." Not to mention he would probably be able to do it even with the scant instructions that Alexei had received; Marcus was a Master Potioneer and there was no potion that he couldn't do or break down and do it himself again.

"No-one will be able to get it." He said dryly with an amused smirk on his lips.

Guest

She smiled outwardly at his statement, although she took his words and mulled over them. If the male was confident about this fact, that furthered the notion that the person he intended to send it to was someone close -- or, at least, someone who had been close. Someone he knew well and yet hated, but not hated enough to kill.

(Or, she offered herself, someone he can't kill, for whatever reason. It might be too risky, too obvious, or too dumb a move. It could also mean that the person was protected for whatever reason. So someone powerful, or with ties to someone powerful. The options were endless. She'd have to dig more, although she was beginning to suspect she couldn't do this without raising supicion; the male before her seemed to be rather observant.)

"I'd wish you luck, but we both know that doesn't mean anything," she said in reply, lifting a shoulder.

His comment brought a smile to her, genuine and amused. The recipe had multiple secret ingredients and odd steps here and there that wouldn't be obvious; they'd made sure of that. But it didn't mean it was completely replicate-proof; it simply meant that it was almost impossble.

And, if by some miracle someone managed to do it, they'd be approached by one of two things -- a job offer or a hitman.

Sienna didn't quite know whether she wanted the male's brother to manage to break it down or not. But, ever loyal to her family, she uttered none of this, instead smiling. "He can try," she said simply. Her tone wasn't one of bragging or declaring she was better; it was a statement and nothing more. What the male took it to mean, however, would say a lot about who he was.

"Yes," she mused. "I don't think they would. Not unless they pried open that mind of yours."

Guest

Alexei just stared at the girl, an eyebrow arched and his head cocked to the side; he wouldn't divulge any more information and from what he knew, it would be hard for people to actually find any information on him so he hoped that the girl before him wouldn't actually try prying into his life. It wouldn't do her any good for one, his surname was fake in England and he wasn't going to divulge his real one to anyone, much less someone he just met.

Killing Adrian would be easy but getting away with it would be a little bit hard, not impossible but it would give Alexei problems down the road should he go and do it himself, which is why sending stuff to torture his second eldest half-brother was the better alternative to going to Italy himself to kill the bastard.

"Luck is for fools who needed," Alexei replied dryly, and he was no fool. He needed no luck. "But the thought is appreciated." Nonetheless, he wasn't going to be an ungrateful twat, even if the female hadn't actually wished him luck.

"Don't be surprised if he can remake it." He wouldn't be that's for sure; Marcus tended to break down any new Potions to see what made them tick before doing them himself only to try and make them more potent or to make the antidote to whatever it was. "My brother is a bit of a... fanatic when it comes to Potions." He didn't doubt there were more people like him but he did doubt that they would be able to spend days on end in a potions lab getting no sleep or food just to remake a Potion, break a Potion down or make it better.

"They can try." Alexei's lips pulled into a cruel smirk, a dark look in his green eyes. "They'll be in for some surprises." Alexei's mind was so fortified that people would have trouble genuinely getting in there, not to mention finding the right memories would take time, time in which Alexei would undoutebly know people were in his mind.

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» What is Love? (Alexei & Elenore)
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