Absit Omen RPG

Career Change

Character Name: Cadance Bulstrode
Character Biography: http://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=14670.0
Previous Job/Position: Hogwarts Student
Position Applying For: Socialite

Why have you chosen to change careers?:
Cadance has graduated from Hogwarts

Elaborate on your expertise in this new field:
Cadance has been groomed for this position her entire life. She grew up with a silver spoon and non stop etiquette lessons. Her Mother was eager to make her into the perfect wife and the ideal Pureblood Woman.

Describe your new job and how you go about doing it:
When it comes down to it, all Cadance needs to do is spend her 'inheritance' and make good with the other Pureblood houses. She managed to take control of a trustfund her now deceased Grandfather had stashed away for her. With the help of her best friend and cousin she has been able to take possession of a few of her Grandfather's estates in America and plans to stay overseas until her child is born. Reintegrating back into High Society will be her biggest challenge.

Mid-afternoon
Wentworth Beach House
South Hampton
Suffolk County, New York

Cadance lay out on a deck chair, the umbrella above her blocking the summer sun. A fruit smoothie and a book lay discarded on the table beside her as she looked down at the parchment laying in her lap. She was thankful to have found a cute maternity bathing suit. Now that she was nearing 24 weeks along it was getting harder to cover up her pregnancy nicely. Not that it was needed out here.

She was finally free. Free from her family's strict rules and expectations. Free from a marriage contract she never wanted to be a part of and for the time being, she was free from the Magical World. As close as she was with her Grandfather, his death was probably the best thing that had ever happened to her. With Xavier appointed heir to the family fortune, getting him to arrange her freedom was a piece of cake. She had left Hogwarts and never looked back. She had taken the train to King's Cross then hopped on some muggle transit to take her directly to the London City Airport. From there nearly straight to New York. Her Grandfather had a few properties in the State that he used when traveling and she found it easy enough to commandeer one - a gorgeous Beach House in the Hamptons. 

Her family had been furious. At first she actually read the letters flocks of owls had sent her, refusing to respond to any of them but eventually she started sending the poor birds back. She wasn't even sure how her family had managed to send them overseas. The only person she had kept in contact with was Xavier, who was thankfully doing all the damage control for her. She had no idea what sort of lies he was feeding her mother but at this point she simply didn't care. She had her own trust that Arathorn had left her, a gorgeous place to live and enough false IDs to fit in with the Muggles and get the care she needed until the baby was born. She figured she could return after the birth. Surely by then the Whitman's would have Charlie promised off to some other prospective wife.

There was just one last loose end that needed clearing up: the baby's father. She had been tight lipped about it ever since she had discovered she was pregnant and once everyone in school found out it was just easy enough to let everyone think it was Charlie's. It made the most sense. She had been betrothed to him since she was Eleven and she had never outwardly shown any affection or attention to anyone else. It had been the most logical conclusion for her peers to have drawn and she wasn't about to correct them. However that did create a new problem, one she was trying to figure out how to fix. The baby's real father had no idea.

She adjusted her sunglasses and reached over to take a sip from her smoothie. She had realized that she had let it almost completely melt as she had contemplated her letter. She looked down at the parchment, so far all she had managed was to address it. She let out a sigh and a fluttering in her stomach that may or may not have been the baby moving began as she picked up her quill . . .

My Dearest Eli,

Cadance sighed and leaned back in her chair, staring up at the ceiling, "I could go anywhere." She said almost wistfully, as if there were no one else in the room. All she had ever dreamed about was getting free, travelling the world, doing whatever she wanted, all on her own terms. Even with a child in tow she didn't suspect her plans would be much different. Hadn't that famous boy spent nearly a year in a tent travelling around the countryside? And he had Death Eaters and Snatchers after him. Cadance had the added bonus of not being the most wanted person in the country. She'd be able to go from village to village with limitless freedom. Just the thought brought a sparkle to her eye.

"There's a summer house in Spain. The family owns it but no one uses it. There's also a home in Australia, one in California and another in Alberta, I believe. Probably countless more. Grandfather keeps them for when he does business abroad. Few simple wards and no one would even know I'm there."

She sipped her tea and held it in her lap, bringing her gaze back to the Councillor, "I should be due in November. I suppose I'd have to return for that, or at least locate another wizarding Hospital. I don't think I could manage all that on my own, no matter how independent I become." She tilted her head to the side, "Is apparition safe while pregnant?"

Cadance took her time answering the question. What did she know of his family? Would they be supportive? She had never really needed to know much about other family workings outside her own and those of the many Whitman's. She had been taught Wizarding genealogy at a young age however and could recite all of the active Pureblood Families within Great Britain and some others across the UK. She knew many by name and few by face. She had spent many social events being toted around, showed off alongside her eligible cousins. Once she was betrothed there wasn't much room for her to be more than decoration at such events, though.

Finally she gave a sort of non committal shrug, "I don't know much about his family to be honest. I know they're pureblood and expansive." She rolled her eyes lightly, "Which family isn't these days." Her own family tree was a mess and that was just the Wentworth side. There wasn't much left to the Bulstrodes as so many had lost their Pureblood status a generation or two back, "I've met a few of his cousins and I think there was an uncle here a few years back but I know little of his parents." Cadance purposely avoiding using the family name. She wasn't ashamed of what she had done, in fact she had rather enjoyed it. She wasn't ashamed of the child she was now carrying either she just wasn't entirely ready to admit it yet. This was her burden, one she planned on dealing with on her own as much as possible. She was prepared for what it meant for her and her future. That was a bomb she didn't want to just drop on someone else.

She lowered her eyes, "I wasn't planning on telling him. I don't even know if I was planning on telling Charlie it's not his." She rubbed her lips together again, "I was sort of just planning to disappear. I have some money. There's an account at Gringotts that will become mine once I graduate. It could be enough to start a whole new life for myself and the baby."

Cadance supposed Mai wasn't the school Councillor for nothing. Then again she wasn't exactly being cryptic about her answers, just a little elusive. She could have flat out said that Charlie was the father, it would have been easy. It was also something that would have been expected of her. The two had been a 'couple' since they were eleven. Cadance was seen as flawless, perfect. No one would have suspected anything else of her even if ending up pregnant at barely Eighteen was unexpected. However she wasn't about to lie about it, not when she was fully intent on escaping her oppressive life. 

"No." She said softly looking back down at her tea, "He's not. We only had sex once but I was using protection at the time." She paused for a moment, "He doesn't know that." Her cousin had given her a Contraceptive Bracelet as a present for Christmas. At the time she had found it wildly inappropriate but come Valentine's it was surprisingly effective. Or at least it had been with Charlie. The charmed jewelry was super effective when you wore it, not so much when you forgot to put it on.

"It would be really easy, to just tell him he was the father, if I wanted that life but I don't. Besides, once the baby's born . . . well it will become rather obvious." If she did her math right, she wasn't due until mid November. That gave her plenty of time to finish school and at least start her new life.

Cadance sat back in the chair, rubbing her lips together as she thought. She was vaguely aware of the relief she felt. Maiko wasn't pressuring her to do things a certain say. At this point she was simply asking questions. Ones that Cadance had been asking herself but never really got the answers to. She was thankful for the chance she was getting to think it all through.

"Well he is only a teenage boy, I expect a full on melt down. Possibly denial, we only did it once. Then again," she lowered her eyes to her teacup, "he's one of the sweetest boys I've ever known. Impulsive, possibly reckless, seems to have very little forethought of his future but sweet. Kind, gentle. I suspect he'd actually be excited if I told him, without really thinking of the magnitude of change and responsibility that will come with it." For all intents and purposes the description did not fit her Fiance. She wondered if the Councillor would notice.

She sipped her tea, "I suppose I'll have to tell him eventually. There's still three months left before we graduate. By then if won't exactly be easy to hide this. Even if I use a few disillusionment charms. Not to mention every one from last night knows about it. I can't expect them to keep quiet forever."

Cadance smiled sweetly. She was thankful that her change in attire was still appreciated. She could have easily charmed her old wardrobe to accommodate her 'condition' but there was no guarantee the charms would last as long as she needed them to. It was easier to just slightly adjust. After all she only had a month and a bit left of school. She wouldn't be too obviously pregnant by then and by the time she was properly showing she'd only have a few weeks to endure before escaping.

She tilted her head in consideration of the younger girl. She didn't know her but knew for sure she wasn't a Slytherin. She rarely associated with anyone outside of her own house but it was also nice to talk with someone who had no idea who she was. There were less expectations that way. However she had no idea what the younger girl was talking about, "Him?"

She shook her head, "No. No lake by my own house but there is one near our Summer Home and of course around a couple of the Ranches my Grandfather owns." Cadance had never shied away from letting those around her know that she came from money. It was something she had picked up from her mother. She didn't equate it to the level of importance that a lot of her family did but there was also no sense in hiding it the way her cousin did. She had no control over the family she was born into, what was the sense in hiding it?

She took a seat as she was invited, "Being a lady takes a lot of work but it can be very fulfilling as well." Not that she actually believed that but she had kept up the charade for this long, why not hold to it for a few more weeks? Once she was graduated she could finally live the life she wanted instead of the one expected of her, "Men tend to respect a lady far more than a scamp." That part she at least believed in.

Cadance turned her attention back to the lake, "So who is it we're waiting for?"

"Nice form." The soft voice came from the opposite side of one of the large trees down by the lake. Cadance stepped out into view. She had been using the lazy Sunday afternoon to stroll through the grounds. Her usual high fashion couture had been traded in for something just as classy but far more comfortable. A breezy empire waist, shoulderless peasant top and a gypsy skirt. Her golden curls hung loosely around her bare shoulders held back back a silvery scarf tied as a head band. The easy breezy spring attire drew attention from the small belly she had been growing.

While rumors were starting to be whispered through the castle halls, brought on by the senior's suddenly lack of corsets (a fashion she had taken to since her very first year) Cadence had yet to officially confirm her pregnancy. However it was only a matter of time before she could no longer hide it.

She bent delicately, her high heeled dragonhide boots making doing so quite the feat, and picked up a stone. She held it between her thumb and forefinger before tossing it to the lake. The stone skipped five times before falling beneath the surface, "my grandfather taught me how to skip stones in the lake behind one of his Ranches. It was the only non ladylike activity he allowed me to indulge in." She smiled sweetly to the younger girl.

Cadance covered her mouth with the piece of cloth she had retrieved. It wouldn't be becoming of her to let anyone see the smirk that had curled her lips at Joshua's outburst. The Gryffindor clearly wasn't impressed with the way the Ministry officials were handling themselves. She was honestly a little surprised that he had gone off on them. She knew his father worked within the Ministry as a Senior Auror but she didn't think he would have been so outwardly critical. Either way it was right entertaining.

She straightened and held up the fabric, "Harcroft is correct, Xavier disapparated. He splinched himself though, wherever he went." There wasn't a whole lot of blood and the piece of cloth was small. Nothing she didn't think her cousin would just walk away from. He was stubborn like that. He hated getting healed, rather let nature take it's course.

She looked to the Gryffindor for a moment though. His assessment while valid wasn't at all the reason her cousin had jumped ship but she didn't think it prudent of her to spell it out for anyone else. If Xavier wanted them to know, he could tell them himself.

Cadance gasped a little too dramatically when Xavier roughly pulled away from her. She stared after him with a furrowed brow. She knew he was struggling and that the Dementors were likely having an effect but she had never seen him like this. He looked panicked and sweaty. She was ready to follow him, send her silvery Winged Horse after him but she was soon joined by Charlie. She reassured her Fiance that she was alright. She felt sad and a little trapped but those were just the regular effects of the Dementors. She hadn't lived the horrors her classmates had, there was no reason to worry about her.

She did as instructed, giving distance and falling back as the Ministry Employees asked. She was hoping this little field trip would be ending shortly. Her stomach wasn't feeling quite right after having vomited and she was hoping to visit the nurse before dinner to see if there was an elixir or something she could take. She'd like to be able to keep at least one meal down a day. She had no idea how women did it, how could a baby grow when you were throwing up everything you ate?

With her arm in Charlie's she edged the group of students and turned just in time to see her cousin disapparate. She rushed over to where he had been just moments before and picked up the piece of fabric that was left behind. It looked like it had come from his shirt and it was lightly damp with blood. Cadance cursed softly, "You idiot." She had no idea where he had run off to. She hoped it was somewhere safe and that the splinching wasn't too severe. 

Cadance caught out of the corner of her eye, the Oglesbee girl run off. She did a mental count of all her cousins and first cousins removed. It was required of her to know her family's lineage and who was born to whom. Despite how large their family was she was certain the Oglesbees were not on their tree. Her brow furrowed in concern and confusion for a moment before she realized her Grandfather wasn't the only person who died in the incident. She hoped the girl would be alright. She might have to inquire at a later date. After she dealt with more pressing matters.

She blinked away some tears grabbing her napkin to dab at her face. She knew her makeup wouldn't be affected by the moisture but she could still muss it up if she rubbed too hard. She felt her brother place a hand on her shoulder in comfort. Even Kyson looked a little brought down now that she had scolded him. Somewhere down the table she could see Charlie rise and try to make his way over to her. She didn't have much time to say what she wanted to.

She reached across the table to take Xavier's hand. The poor teen was still paled and looking as though he had been hit with a body bind curse. She wasn't sure how he'd really be feeling about their grandfather's death but she knew the sudden weight of the entire family fortune and business would be weighing on him hard. However even that was going to have to wait. There was still something even more pressing.

With her cousin's attention now she purposely placed her hand on her belly. The news hadn't broken wide yet but Xavier knew about her current condition, "Xav, you're in charge now. Do you think, would you be able to," She couldn't find the words she needed to convey her concern without letting her entire family - not to mention her peers - know what she was getting at, "do you think you'd be in charge of Grandpa's other contracts?"

[Warning: Language]

Saturday May 14th
Early Morning Meal
Great Hall

The chatter and clatter of the morning meal filled the Great Hall as the students gathered for breakfast. The enchanted ceiling above them reflected the blue sky outside speckled with grey clouds. Another day of rain. The way it fell from above, mimicking the light showers outside the castle was captivating. Despite the weather, this close to the end of term they'd be hard pressed to keep the younger years focused on their studies. No doubt they'd be clamouring to be done with their homework just to get out of the castle on a Saturday afternoon. Even some of the older students were likely to put their exam prep aside. They had less than a month left in the school year, it was enough to make any of the students restless.

A call echoed across the hall as a flock of owls entered to deliver the daily post. Cadance was more concerned with her current craving for bacon. When she entered her second trimester, the morning sickness had faded and the cravings had begun. Thankfully, for now, they were few and far between. She was about to grab her fourth piece of bacon when a ruffled looking Barn Owl dropped the Daily Prophet on her plate. She scolded the bird but tucked a knut into the small satchel tied to his leg all the same.

Once it had flown away she unfolded the paper and stared at the enchanting picture moving on the front page. It took her a few moments to register the headline properly - 'Owner of Celebrated Menageries Perishes in Beasts Sanctuary' The bold letters stood stark against the regal picture of galloping Pegasi.

She raised her ice blue eyes to the collected students in the hall. Briar over in Gryffindor pounded her fist on the long table. The twins in ravenclaw exchanged shocked looks and spoke to each other rapidly. One of the youngest of the dozen or so grandchildren (and Great Grandchildren) over in Hufflepuff was grappling with with a fellow student over the newspaper with a tear streaked face. Finally she glanced up at the Professor's table trying to gauge a reaction from their Herbology Professor who had married into the family.

Cadance turned back to the Slytherin table where the majority of the grandchildren were. She looked directly across the table to her best friend and cousin, "Xavier have you seen this?" She handed the paper to him.

The darker Slytherin looked it over, his brow furrowing, "Are ye feckin' kiddin' me?!"

The paper was swiftly snatched by their younger cousin to Xavier's right, "Bullocks, Grandpa's dead?!" Kyson stood up and looked to the Gryffindor table where his sister was currently trying to storm off while a few of her housemates tried to calm her down, "Well Briar's about to punch someone in the face." He sat down nonchalantly and turned back to his older cousins, "How does Grandpa die and we have to find out about it from the bloody 'Prophet?"

Cadance blinked back tears, a hand to her belly, ignoring Kyson's question, "Xav do you understand what this means?"

Cadance's initial instincts were to push back against what the councillor was saying. No, it wasn't her choice, it had never been her choice. Everything about her life was dictated by those around her. She had never had the freedom she craved and was still scared to death at the mere possibility of actually achieving it, despite how badly she wanted it. She took a deep breath to keep herself from saying so. She wanted to lash out, something she never got to do. Every emotion needed to be controlled but it was getting harder and harder. She wasn't sure if it was the effects of the pregnancy hormones or if she was finally hitting her breaking point. Either way attacking the one person who seemed to genuinely want to help her was probably a bad idea.

"I've never made a choice like that before." She was partly aware that she was making that choice right now, in wishing to keep the baby but it didn't feel like it. After all she could still be Charlie's wife and a mother. The presence of a child wasn't an automatic ticket to her freedom. In fact, if handled incorrectly it could just as easily become shackles that were even harder to break free from.

"I'm not really sure. I haven't spent much time thinking about it." She did a mental once over of her relatives, "My parents certainly wouldn't approve. It's tradition and family pride and all that. All my Aunt's were married this way, my uncle got lucky and was allowed to choose his wife, so long as she was a pureblood. My cousins, well they all have husbands lined up, except the Cavanaughs - Grandfather says Cavanaughs don't make good wives but excellent Aurors. My brother and my male cousins will get their own choices so long as they make the right ones." She grabbed for her tea again, taking a tentative sip and hoping not to be hit with more nausea, "I doubt I'll have much support from any of them. Berkeley would be my best bet but she's already responsible for so much. She works ridiculous hours as an Auror, takes care of both her younger siblings and her ailing father, I couldn't possibly impose on her." Her brow furrowed as she thought of the large extensive Wentworth family tree, so many other Pureblood families were connected to them though she'd likely have to reach out to second, or third cousins to try and find someone that wouldn't look down on her situation, ones who'd be willing to help.

"I don't have much friends to speak of." She averted her eyes, "And I think my actions last night may have jeopardized any chances I had of gaining favour." Everything about the previous night had been a mistake. She had never made so many in her life. She had broken her facade, shown a side of her no one was aware existed and even shown herself as unhinged and dangerous. What she wouldn't do for a Time Turner.

"All that being said I don't doubt my abilities to do this on my own." She straightened her back and lifted her chin, "The father . . . he'll want to help, I know he will but . . ." She chewed her lip, not sure what she wanted to say, "It may be better off if he doesn't know." She said to her tea cup rather than to Maiko.

"Nauseous, I feel nauseous." She gave Blake a sweet smile. She had found herself partnered up with the Younger Knight son for their Ancient Runes challenge and honestly wasn't about to argue. She had known him for most their lives, both coming from High Society Pure Blood families. Though she personally knew his older brother Callum better, she wasn't a complete stranger to the twins. The two, whether he was aware of it or not, were kindred spirits. Both playing their parts and living up to their families expectations, desperately awaiting the day they could escape it all.

She rubbed her belly a bit. She was only days away from being in her second trimester, which meant she was soon going to need more than a loose house vest to hide in but also meant she would soon be free of the curse of morning sickness. She was very much looking forward to being able to eat full meals again (so long as she kept herself active and didn't gain too much weight)

She giggled at his joke. Her ice blue eyes examined him. He had done so much growing over the last year it wasn't going to be long before he started breaking hearts left and right. He certainly wasn't the shy awkward little kid she had grown up with. He was almost a man. Cadance found herself staring a little too long, bloody hormones.

"If you find a spell, you let me know okay?" She smirked sweetly before looking ahead to the challenge, "Alright, which path shall we choose?" She was more than capable of helping her partner disarm the traps and get them through the challenge without injury - besides she had more than just her own safety to be concerned about - but it was only polite to let him take the lead.

Cadance tightened her grip on her cousin's arm. There was a shift in the air around them. Nothing more than a bad feeling but it seemed everyone in the group, Ministry personnel included, felt it. One by one Patroni began to surround the small group. Candace removed her own wand. She watched the fish swim through the air and the regal Lion prance around. Others appeared, others weren't more than a few wisps. Cadance thought of her happiest memory. A vague notion from her childhood when she still thought the world could be hers and she could be anything she wanted to be. She was soon joined by a silvery Aethonan that cantered around her before coming to stand by Xavier's side. She supposed her cousin needed the good vibes more than she did.

Cadance looked to the Professor, "Pardon me sir but given recent reports of Dementor activity and the attack on the Three Broomsticks," She glanced around at her fellow students, "Are we really supposed to feel anything other than dread or apprehension?" It was true the presence of the multiple Patroni helped ease the apprehension but only by so much. There was no mistaking how nervous the gathered Seventh Years were.

"Also, umm, are they getting closer?" Despite herself, her voice quivered and her hand subconsciously rested on her lower abdomen. Having just vomited it looked nothing more than her trying to settle an upset stomach in a tense situation.