Private message to Blaise

[alt_daphne]

So did you bin her gift into the fire or do the decent thing and open it? Or at least put it aside until you're feeling less raw about the whole thing.

But you didn't really think you'd end up with Padma in the long haul, did you? Her parents would never allow it, and whatever excitement you got out of quarreling together would have eventually gone sour.

And I hope you're still not holding Draco responsible. You know as well as I do how mortified he was by that entire display.

Anyway, as far as birthdays go, I'm sure you've had better. But you are of age now, so at least there's that.

Comments

[alt_blaise]

Cuff links. Attractive, but meaningless.

No, of course, I've never thought of her as more than a phase. And if it weren't for this competition...

Whatever. It may be better being certain she's not an ally than to wonder when she'd turn.

How are you, then? It can't have been pleasant for you, either.

As for Draco, I suppose we we've both been collateral damage. Being made a laughingstock was not what I needed at this point in it all. It damages my position and makes everything far riskier. I imagine Draco feels the same.

[alt_daphne]

Do cufflinks ever have meaning? They're meant to keep your cuffs closed. Though I suppose it depends on the design...

It does seem this contest has the challengers thinking a great deal about who's an ally and who's an enemy. I'm not sure why that is, when really, we're all loyal to the Protectorate together, yes? Though perhaps that untrusting mentality comes with the territory of being a council member, which itself seems somewhat fractured of late.

Yet there's plenty of evidence to suggest that Professors Raz and Dovs have complete trust in each other, isn't there? Or Proffessor Dovs and Barty Crouch, they're practically like father and son.

I don't believe Draco is concerned about his position, per se, but he is, as ever, entirely mindful of what this pursuit entails.

But I'm fine, of course. I do feel a bit badly for Padma, knowing now how extensive her jealousy of me is. She is rather used to coming out on top.

[alt_blaise]

I don't know. The more I look at it, the more I see that while there was a long time when things were stable on the Council, that's not true now. Even old allies are turning on one another. Take Mr-. Nevermind. The closer they were and the longer they were close, the more toxic things get when they turn.

Padma will manage. I'm glad you're alright.

[alt_daphne]

Perhaps that's precisely why our Lord is looking for new blood - to re-invigorate the council even further. If you make it, have you given much thought to who you'd most like by your side while you're there?

Oh, and was your recent challenge to break up with Padma? Because if so, I suppose you owe whoever gave her that potion a bit of thanks, for giving you such a handy reason to not look back.

[alt_blaise]

As an ally, you mean? Or a lifemate?

I don't think Yaxley minded Padma. Who knows what she'd have done if I'd kept on after the party, though. You might be right.

But, no, my most recent was to do something decisive to show that mother and I are worthy of Our Lord's favour. Since ours is not a Council family. (Naturally, I didn't point out that Mother had tried that once.)

I popped up Regent Street to the offices of the Protector's Fund (you know, aiding families of those fallen in the service of the realm) and made a rather grand donation in Mother's name. Best I could do on short notice: I didn't get the owl until Saturday morning.

[alt_daphne]

I mean allies, of course. Since when do you use words like "lifemate?"

Oh. Well, that one doesn't sound too difficult. Or you handled it quite easily, at least.

[alt_blaise]

Ha. No idea, really. Suppose it sounded right at the time.

And, yes, this challenge allowed me to use all the skills I've learned from Mother.