It was a rarity that a woman like her would be seen in Knockturn Alley, however she was not your normal lady. When she walked the Alley, there was an aire of confidence about her, she was not afraid nor would she shy away at the task at hand. After a long morning of searching for the freshest and somewhat rarer ingredients, Emily found herself near the end of her little adventure. Some of the items she required were not easy to come by in Diagon alley which caused her to search darker areas for them.

During her travels she came upon a building she never noticed before. Granted Emily didn't spend a lot of time in Diagon Alley, she still found herself shocked when she wasn't in the know about the establishment. Walking towards the front door, she was going to just pop her head in when the draw to the dangerous became too much.

Curiosity getting the better of her again, Emily decided to take a chance. Opening the door into the Black Chimera she made her way towards an open table. The people who had seen her enter looked with dropped jaws and she let them take in the fact that she had entered the establishment. Finding an open seat, Emily pulled out the chair and placed herself comfortably in the seat. Crossing her legs she pulled out her list that she was working on as she waited for service.

Going down the parchment she made notes in the margins about the items she found and what she had needed. That's when she realized she didn't have a menu at her table. Placing the bag she had brought in with her under her seat she looked about the room until she spotted what looked like a menu on a table near hers. Getting up she gathered up the menu and brought it back to the seat she had chosen. The list of drinks was lengthy but considering it was still early in the afternoon, bordering only on one, she figured hitting the hard liquor would make her seem the lush.

Settling on an Irish Coffee, Emily looked back at her list. Her long black hair came down around her shoulders as she concentrated on her itemized checks, though she tried to stay aware of her surroundings for obvious reasons.

Outfit

One month.  One more month without any slip ups and Cinaed would be free of that bloody Bridge House.  He'd be able to spend his evenings as he wished - which usually meant spending the nights lounging in the Black Chimaera, hanging out with friends or flirting with any fairer sex until odd hours of the morning.  The in at sundown and early mornings were proving to be a horrendous cramp on his style. 

Days were usually spent running the pub errands that couldn't be left to other.  It was a drag.  The fun parts of having a pub were easily delegated.  The bland stuff had to be reserved.  But, he just had to remind himself, one more month, it'd be done. 

With a stack of bills in hand, Cinaed tromped down the steps to the main pub room.  Being earlier in the day, there were only a few scattered drinkers around the room - mostly the unemployed ex-Azzie crew that had nowhere else to go.  Mannie was sitting at the most occupied table with a handful of playing cards between his chubby fingers, blatantly ignoring the few customers at their own tables.  However, Mannie, like the rest of the scraggly ex-Azzies, were paying very little attention to the current game - they were all staring, hungrily at the dark-haired woman sitting alone at a table.

Cinaed paused just inside the doors to the back of the pub, regarding the woman for a moment, a sly grin spreading across his face.  Quickly, his mind worked through the situation.  She was beautiful.  Strikingly so.  She had ventured this far down Knockturn Alley.  And, she'd done so alone.  That last bit of information was, in Cinaed's mind, the most crucial. 

Having noticed Cinaed, Manfred had hastened to his feet but with a shake of Cinaed's head, Manfred settled back into her seat.  No - Cinaed would firmly grasp this opportunity to serve this particular customer. 

Leaving the stack of bills at the end of the bar, Cinaed moved over towards the woman's table.  "It isn't often my humble little pub is blessed with visitors of such poise," he said, pulling out a chair and lowering himself into it.  He nodded his head towards the others in the room before looking back.  "As I'm sure you've noticed, our usual standards are quite low.  I'm honored.  What can I get for you?" 

Emily had never felt a closed in, penned in feeling like the man who was about to approach her. The closest thing to being penned in for her was Hogwarts, or Healer Training when she was stuck in her books. Even when she was locked into studying Emily would find a way to entertain herself, generally sneaking out with friends or finding her way to a broom closet with one of her former flames. Those were the days.

As her years grew, as did her experience. So broom closets were so back in Hogwarts, she had to get her fix off other things. Traveling where she might be seen as odd, or intriguing gave her a kick. The feel of danger gave her a rush she couldn't quite get from pulling boys into broom closets and avoiding detection from higher ups.

Maybe a trip or two into Knockturn Alley had been seen as dangerous or irresponsible by many of her colleagues, it didn't stop her from making them.

Though looking about once more at her seat, Emily wondered if coming into the pub had been a mistake. The men who gawked looked at her like a piece of meat, she wondered when the last time they saw a real woman was. When she says real she meant washed and well bred such as herself. There were a fair share of hags running about Knockturn scaring rats from the holes they resided in. Emily thanked Merlin that she had the attractive features trait known to be housed in the blood of the Cooper line.

"It isn't often my humble little pub is blessed with visitors of such poise,"

The voice was smooth, Emily found a smile curling on her lips as she looked up to a man with wild hair. Allowing herself a brief moment to chew on her lower lip she pretended to think for a moment, before looking down at the menu and back at the man who was taking her order. "Considering the time of day I fear it is too early to hit the harder drinks, I was thinking of an Irish Coffee to start." With that smile toying at the corners of her mouth she gave him a once over, he was a considerable upgrade to the other men giving her the eye from a nearby table. When he mentioned the standards she had to chuckle a little, "Hmm I stick out like a sore thumb do I?" One of her pale hands found her dark curled hair and twisted a curled lock as she continued to give him a smile.

What a fine, fine example of a witch.  Despite her attempts to be subtle about it, Cinaed caught the woman's subtle once over.  Fully aware he had her attention and she hadn't shown any criticism yet of what she saw, Cinaed slowly drew a hand over his head, running his fingers through his hair, pulling it back from his face and down his back.  "Well, I've always believed it's never too early to have fun."  Cinaed offered the woman a coy grin before pushing himself once more to his feet.  "But, with the evening so young, there is always plenty of time for more fun."  After preparing her drink, he returned to the table and sat himself down in a chair next to hers. 

He pulled out a package of cigarettes and held it out towards her.  "Well, it's safe to say women of your caliber aren't the standard here."  Though, it seemed, a few of them had graced his pub with their presence.  And, Cinaed had enjoyed watching each of them enter.  Of course, that wasn't exactly something he felt the need to divulge at the moment.  She didn't need to know that.  Cinaed nodded towards the card players.  "They aren't much to look at, but they're some of the best mates a man could ask for.  I could count on them for just about anything." 

"Name's Cinaed Tawse," Cinaed offered, extending a tattooed hand towards the woman.  Not bothering to make his own intentions subtle, Cinaed allowed his own eyes to wander over the woman, a content grin settling on his face as the woman toyed with a lock of hair.  "So, what brings a striking young woman like you down this far in Knockturn?  Business or pleasure?"  Or, the prospect of danger.  Usually, it was some combination of those motives that brought most well-bred women down to the foot of the alley.  "Just grew bored with the mundane monotony of Diagon?" 

Perhaps her eyes gazed too long, or she was intrigued too much by the darkness that obviously surrounded the man who worked here in Knockturn Alley. Anyone who was there long enough found themselves under suspicion of something, Emily was curious to say the least about this bloke. His wild hair made him interesting enough to want to know a little more. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but she was one feisty feline who thrived on the thrill of discovery be it good or bad.

Smiling as he took a seat across from her, Emily found her fingers in her long black hair rather then touching the freshly prepared beverage before her. "A very true statement, it is the start of a rather early evening..." Emily had hoped to find Charlotte and perhaps spend the night out, this little meeting could lead to some interesting conversations with her close friend over glasses of wine and gossip.

"Well, it's safe to say women of your caliber aren't the standard here."

Looking at the crowd that were giving her the eye earlier she gave them a playful wink and blew them a kiss. Clearly... "I should hardly think that someone of my status was a regular," granted she flaunted her superiority a bit much, it was a character flaw she dealt with. And if by dealt with it meant she flaunted it more then yes, Emily was dealing with her superiority complex.  "As long as they are good mates then I am not to judge of course," chewing on her lip again she brought the cooling drink to her lips.

Taking a long deep sip she smiled as the warmth coated her throat and slid down to her stomach. A chill ran up her spine, with the temperature change and she relaxed her shoulders. "A pleasure to mean you Cináed, my name is Emily Cooper" allowing her well manicured and maintained hand to meet his inked one she felt a rush of excitement. What was it about bad boys that could make a girl go batty internally? The world may never know but he had her attention. "A little of business, looking for things to finish potions I am brewing. You know as well as I do some items cannot be found in Diagon Alley," giving him a wink she took another sip of her drink. "Have you been working here long? I have to say it is a shame I didn't notice this establishment sooner..."

Oh - why did men subject themselves to this kind of torture?  Watching the woman pass her fingers through those black curls was enough to tantalize just about any man.  And, it was Cinaed who was sitting in the chair next to the her.  But, it wasn't unlike fishing, was it?  There was some thrill and excitement involved in casting out a line, waiting to see if one got any bites.  More often than not, the hook came back empty.  While the fishing was always fun, it was still all about the catch. 

Cinaed tapped a cigarette out of the package and lit it with a match, leaving the package out and open for the woman.  "Have any exciting plans for the evening?"  He asked, curiously.  He took a long drag off the cigarette and exhaled back over his shoulder. 

Cinaed cast a smug smirk towards his mates at the other table.  "You are right.  In fact, I'd even venture to say you're rather unique."  If flattering her would improve his chances, Cinaed was more than willing to oblige as much as she wanted.  But, he'd continue to play his cards carefully.  "Well, yes.  They are good mates and I can't blame them for staring. "  Not to mention, they were probably jealous that she was allowing Cinaed to sit at her table.  "So, I'm curious.  What do you do in a normal day?" 

Cinaed's hand closed gently around the woman's hand and his fingers held hers gently for a few moments longer than necessary.  "The pleasure's mine, Emily," he offered in return.  He, finally, let her hand fall with a coy smirk.  Cinaed nodded; he was quite aware that there was plenty of important ingredients that were difficult to find beyond the end of Knockturn.  "Crinchley's usually can get anything even if she doesn't have it on display.  Don't take a "no" from her." 

It was that time of decision.  To confess or not to confess.  But, rather quickly, Cinaed came to the same conclusion as usual.  If his ex-con status would be a turn off, it was better to learn that earlier rather than later before he wasted too much of his time.  "I bought this place about two and a half years ago.  About a year after my release.   Been open ever sense." 

If the fishing metaphor was a strong one, she might have thought him quite the angler just by his sheer presence. There were not many men that Emily found herself drawn to with a first meeting. Charisma was something that Cin was no stranger to it appeared, and like a moth to a flame she found herself captivated. If there was something that could make the heart of a girl race it was being near a bad boy, and she knew it. Hell most of the world was aware of their pull.

  "Have any exciting plans for the evening?"

Politely refusing the cigarette she took another sip of her coffee, "Sadly not yet, however the night is young. I tend not to make plans ahead of time, there is always something more interesting that could grab my attention. How about yourself? Opposed to playing it by ear, you don't seem like the scheduled type to me."

Perhaps she was assuming too much, however judging by the company he kept and the tattoos he was not working some stuffy nine to five. Oh how she wished she could enjoy her job more, however living among the rest of the slime was getting unbearable. "So you work here, I find myself drawn more and more to the alley."  Was it the alley or the danger, Emily couldn't be a hundred percent on that and math was not something she cared to dip into at the moment.

"So, I'm curious.  What do you do in a normal day?"

"On a normal day? I work for St. Mungo's as a healer. Seems my talent for poisons and potions brought me there, not that I care much for the career as of late. A bit boring, and all work with no play makes me a rather dull girl indeed," Emily placed down the half empty cup and looked at him with growing curiosity. The long hair was something she liked, a wild look suited him. It was safe to say her father would not be pleased with her choice of company for the afternoon.

"Crinchley's usually can get anything even if she doesn't have it on display.  Don't take a "no" from her." 

"I will take that into account, though I must confess I rarely take 'no' for an answer anyway." There was a hidden meaning there that she was not going to shed light on at the very moment. When he confessed his own past she felt a smirk cross her lips, oh yes her father would be very disappointed in her. Perfect. Barely batting an eyelash at the unfolding information Emily chewed her lower lip,  "After your release, you don't say. It looks like you do well for yourself, I have thought for a long time what it might be like to own my very own potion shop around these parts. Do you think the patronage would be there?" With what she had been thinking about Diagon Alley was a little too squeaky clean for her liking.

Cinaed nodded, a slight smirk playing at his mouth.  "Quite young," he agreed, taking another drag off the cigarette between his fingers.  So, this exquisite young woman had no plans.  Might as well take the opportunity to feel out his chances a little bit further.  "I'm surprised your boyfriend hasn't capitalized your free time.  Were I in his shoes," he added, casually, nonchalantly.  "I'd be sure to be showing you fantastic time." 

He looked towards Emily, attempting to lock gazes with her.  He chuckled at her assumptions and shook his head.  "You've got me pegged, my dear.  Unfortunately, the Ministry does try to crimp my style but that scheduling is unavoidable." 

Again, he cast a glance around the pub's interior, nodding his head.  "I work here.  Live here.  I've grown quite fond of the Alley over the last few years," he admitted.  It was dark, less than clean and some of the residents were quite questionable.  "There's a sense of loyalty - camaraderie down here that's hard to find elsewhere."  For Cinaed, Knockturn Alley had become a place where folks like him - and Mannie - could be accepted without question or having to defend themselves.  Chris - that bloke could move anywhere without question. 

She was a healer.  How conveniently useful - Cinaed could only imagine how beneficial it would be to have one trained in Healing nearby.  Especially if they could offer their services without all the annoying questions one usually faced at St. Mungos.  "Really?" he said, simply.  "Well, I can tell you, Crichley's wouldn't be fond of another potioneer in the alley.  But, - you know - a ... discreet ... Healer could carve out quite a niche down here." 

The beautiful Emily barely bat an eye when he revealed his ex-Azzie status.  A wonderful sign.  His chances were looking brighter and brighter by the moment.  Casually, almost absentmindedly, Cinaed reached an inked hand out and brushed his fingers against the back of the hand that cradled the cup of coffee.  "In fact, I could, personally, have use for an on-call and discreet potioneer and Healer." 

The conversation was going well if she did say so herself. Something about the curl in that smirk of his could turn her knees to gelatin if she wasn't careful. To sink into a man like this was dangerous, and though she enjoyed the idea of it, she still had to play cautious at first. Even if play at it is as much caution as she was willing to afford. In life she found living cautiously caused her to miss all the best the world had to offer.

 "I'm surprised your boyfriend hasn't capitalized your free time.  Were I in his shoes,"

Grinning a little she shook her head causing the curls to toss about her shoulders, "Pity it seems I am single and have no boyfriend to show me a good time or anything else for that matter. I suppose pinning me down is too hard for the unworthy man," finishing the last of her coffee the cup now laid out before them. Her hand however was being touched and she didn't pull away. The mysterious man had her full attention, and to shrink away now would only make her a liar.

"What the ministry doesn't know won't hurt it..." with that being said, Emily knew there was plenty of things the Ministry was not sure of or unaware of and if given the chance could come back to bite them in the ass. The system constantly allowed muggleborns and the impure equal if not more rights then those who have clean wizarding lines, and she was sick of it. So instead of thinking they were an all powerful Wizard and Witch Force, she detested them for the most part.

Looking around again, Emily could sense the feeling of belonging extended but not fully actualized on herself. "I could definitely find myself in need of such a group of friends sometime." There were plenty of potions that she didn't get to make due to the lack of resources about, something told her that with some of the clientele that strolled through those doors there were more opportunity for personal growth

"Well, I can tell you, Crichley's wouldn't be fond of another potioneer in the alley.  But, - you know - a ... discreet ... Healer could carve out quite a niche down here."

There was a light bulb forming in her pretty little head. There would be a transitional period she was sure, trust would form or a lack of trust on both ends, but to heal people off the clock had a flavorful hint of trouble to it. When he told her he could use a personal healer, her ears perked up and the grin she had on her face grew wider, "I am very good at what I do. If I were to be on call it would be against my solemn oath to not come to you when called of course," Emily allowed her hand to brush back against his a little more feeling the eyes of the other patrons on them.

So.  This beautiful woman had no boyfriend.  Or, at the current moment, she chose to ignore the presence of a boyfriend.  Either way was just fine with Cinaed - of course, the presence of a boyfriend in her life would have done little to deter him.  He wasn't against treading on another man's turf.  Too many years in Azkaban had left him with the firm understanding of how quickly the pleasures of life could be stolen away.  He'd learned as a teenager, if you didn't grasp what you wanted today, you may not have a tomorrow to try again.

She let the empty cup go but her hand didn't move away from his touch.  Oh - Cinaed didn't doubt this wonderful example of a witch wouldn't be pinned down by the unworthy.  It would be such a waste.  "Perhaps when you find a worthy man," He offered in a casual tone, though he turned his hand slightly to slide his fingers across the inside of her now free palm.  It really wasn't until he heard a familiar gruff voice from the cluster of card-playing men mutter a good grief that it occurred to Cinaed perhaps, given the previous night, he shouldn't be quite so quick to pick up chase. 

But, the prey was proving quite irresistible. 

"Oh, well, perhaps," Cinaed chuckled.  Perhaps, that's where his commentary should have remained.  He didn't know much about this woman nor her loyalties.  Though, Cinaed had always assumed there was something to be interpreted simply from a woman walking into an establishment such as his.  Any woman that chose to come here was unlikely to be the Ministry's employee of the month.  So, he took the risk.  "Though, I have to admit.  I do hope that what the Ministry doesn't know might, in fact, hurt it."  He left it at that, waiting to feel out her response to a casual comment that only, slightly, hinted at treason.

"They are a scraggly but useful lot," Cinaed admitted as she gave the occupants of the room a brief assessment.  "It's early in the evening so it's still rather slow," his hand traced casually up her forearm but continued talking as if he was entirely unaware of the gesture.  "- but, come around eleven o'clock and one would find quite an assortment of useful suppliers and contacts.  If one was looking for things a bit harder to find."  Of course, given the highly illegal nature of most of the business conducted there, "Most aren't exactly quick to conduct business with strangers." 

Her answer to his proposition was better than he'd expected.  A healer would make an invaluable addition to their cause.  And, while having her at their beck and call exclusively and full time in Knockturn fluttered Cinaed's ego, there was a potential that having her remain connected to St. Mungo's to some degree, could prove useful in the future.  "It would be nice to have you nearby.  If the need for Healing arose, of course.  But, there's a value in having access to St. Mungo's as well."

Emily sat there unclaimed, and untested by the likes of a real man like the specimen before her. Generally she was forced to entertain boring blokes who were common dressed to the nines and were as stuffy as the suits that swallowed them up. This right here was far more exciting than any situation she had caught herself in. Maybe she was imagining the chemistry as it swirled around the two, or maybe she wasn't. Judging by the touch of his hand on her's she was spot on.

The mention of the ministry made her sneer. There was nothing good about the ministry and their oppressive laws. Pursing her lips she allowed those brilliant green eyes to narrow as she looked him dead into his own orbs, "Then let it hurt it. Who they protect over their own makes me sick," there had been several articles on the importance of muggles, muggleborns, and half-bloods lately. Their contributions to a society most of them know little to nothing about were praised openly because of the hardships they had to supposedly overcome. They didn't belong with the rest of those who had pureblood running through their veins, her eyes glinted at the coarseness of her own voice.

However she caught herself and allowed a softer expression to take over her features once more. The feeling of his fingers trailing up her arms, sent a pleasant chill up her spine. A smirk formed were that scowl had been, he was smooth she had to give him that. There were not many in her world like him, it was a treat to come down from her ivory tower and visit with the darker sort.

"- but, come around eleven o'clock and one would find quite an assortment of useful suppliers and contacts.  If one was looking for things a bit harder to find."

Looking over she gave a wink to his little group who had kept their eyes on the two. "Perhaps I will have to come here a little later than recommended for a woman of my background..." Emily allowed herself to lean forward and placed a hand on his knee, "You really should show me around this place, I am intrigued by all the dark places you have to hide in..." Dark deeds could be done in several places around the alley, she was curious how much of it Cin was willing to show her. "Oh I am very good at what I do. An experienced healer, at your service..." her eyes met his once more looking to convey her intent best she could.

For better or worse, the Black Chimaera seemed to be seeing a fair number of exquisite and powerful women grace its dark pub room.  Of which, this woman sitting next to him was a fine example of.  As a general rule, it was for the better - nothing helped a business' reputation (especially of the likes of his) more than the patronage of women like Emily.  Not to mention, there was a bounty of pleasurable enjoyment to be found.  And shared. 

His finger traced a long, slow path from her palm over the heel of her wrist and her her arm.  "Whose rights they protect while denying those of pureblood the right to a wand," Cinaed remarked, his finger trailing back down to her palm once more.  "How much do they hold us back, keep us fettered and chained for the supposed protection of muggles?  We should grasp our rightful place - of leadership."  Emily's eyes glittered with anger and fire; Cinaed nodded, approvingly. 

An experienced healer at his beck and call.  One who was particularly familiar with potions and poisons.  It was quite a fortunate turn of events - one which was bound to come in handy at some point.  A smirk played across Cinaed's features as the woman's hand settled on his knee and he nodded, catching Emily's drift without any challenges. 

"I'll give you the grand tour," Cinaed agreed, more than willingly.  His hand sought hers as it rested on his knee and he pushed himself to his feet, leading the way through the french doors in the back of the pub.  "Are you looking for accommodations?" he asked, lifting an eyebrow as he held one of the doors open for her. 

"Second floor is mostly bedrooms.  First floor is mostly common areas - kitchen, bath and a meeting room."  After showing her both the kitchen and bathroom - both rather standard and simple rooms.  The meeting room he showed her next was quite different - cleaner, more elaborate and stylish.  The furnishings were much more elegant than the main pub and a bright fire crackled warmly in the fireplace.