Open; back in black

[daleysebastian]

London was dreadful. Diagon Alley was worse. Hell, Sebastian wasn't sure he could even tolerate Hogsmeade yet; he'd have to work up to that one. He'd stick with Diagon Alley and see what happened from there

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[jemmadorny]

She'd been alerted to his arrival almost immediately when it happened. She had been following him now for weeks, tracking his every move. His name had passed through her paperwork, the accident surrounding his family's murders intrigued her from the start and Jemma couldn't break herself away from what she could find. She had been astonishingly busy following the War when she left Hogwarts, already involving herself in the investigations once she received her accreditation from the Ministry. She worked directly with the rehabilitation of the Ministry's reputation- leading the United Kingdom to once again have faith in their government.

She'd since built quite the reputation herself and ha been in high demand ever since.

Her team needed growing and she knew that Sebastian Daley was just the man to find.

"A little underdressed, no?" she asked, stopping just in front of him, removing her own sunglasses and placing them atop her sleek chestnut waves. "Or are you so into this bad boy look you'll welcome pneumonia?"

[jemmadorny]

"Like I said, you're free to decline," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "I took an interest in you due to your history, I admit I did my digging on you and it led me here to this decision-"

She took another sip from her wine, letting the liquid hit the back of her throat.

"But I don't make them lightly and I don't take them back," she said, nodding her head as if to prove that point. "So, the invitation is open if you'd like it."

Then, "Might I ask why you seem so eager to leave here?"

[daleysebastian]

"That," Sebastian started but stopped. He hadn't actually put much thought into it. He'd spent so much time running and hiding that going back just... hadn't seemed like an option anymore. Now that he'd been gone so long, being back seemed more foreign than any other country he'd spent any amount of time in.

"It's a long story. The last time I was here, though, wasn't an entirely pleasant experience." Which was putting it lightly. He didn't elaborate, not now. Besides, he was certain she already knew about the attack that had left him alone in the world. He just hoped she hadn't actually stumbled on the actual secret; that one was far more dangerous than anything else in his background.

[jemmadorny]

"Coming home isn't always what you expect it to be," she said, knowing that to be absolutely true.

She had lost her mother when she was fourteen, a victim of the impending war - a fluke, really- being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And her relationship with her father was barely that- they had their awkward Sunday dinners where they barely talked and that was enough for both of them.

She didn't think she'd ever really go home again.

She smiled at Bash, then, genuine and soft.

"I do hope you find what you're looking for-"

[daleysebastian]

From most people, this would seem like a game. One more way to attempt to get what they wanted from him when he didn't jump on their request. Jemma didn't seem that way, though. She seemed... honest? Genuine? It was bizarre.

"It's easy to do that when you're not really looking for anything except to right a wrong." That was really the only reason he'd come back. He wanted to make sure the Aurors and the Ministry didn't botch the job and let whomever was responsible for killing Oliver roam free for much longer.

Sebastian had no idea why he was about to do this, but he might as well. What else did he have to do with his time? He took another slow drink and watched Jemma for a moment.

"What exactly does your agency do? I need something specific if I'm going to make a determination."

[jemmadorny]

Righting wrongs were what Jemma Dorny Associates were all about. There were cases they took on, clients they represented that had been royally screwed over in one way or another and it was in her best interest to work in their best interest. She had seen so much filth while working to get the remaining Death Eaters behind Azkaban bars - it had seemed like a natural calling

[daleysebastian]

Sebastian might not have been around, but he had always kept up with current events back home. It seemed necessary, like he could prevent something if he just knew about it before hand and could read it in the subtext.

He hadn't felt the need to involve himself up to this point.

It seemed like Jemma didn't have that same problem. Also, it appeared that she was definitely good at what she did.

"Very well done, Jems. Color me impressed." His voice was dry and sarcastic, but there was a light to his eyes that betrayed his true intent. He was actually impressed. That must have been incredibly difficult to pull off without someone from the Prophet getting wind and blowing the whole thing out of proportion and the water.

[jemmadorny]

Jems. She didn't think anyone had ever called her that before- not since she was a very little girl. She smiled, trying not to betray the rare giddiness behind it. Perhaps she was finding a way to him, finding a way to get him to work with her. This wasn't about manipulation- she never wanted to trick anyone into working with her (never for her). They needed to be in it just like she was- because they wanted to be. They had to be.

"I've pulled a lot of favors for people in the past," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "Every once in a while, I like to call on them- when the situations arises."

[daleysebastian]

"Dealing in favors is usually better than gold," Sebastian agreed. He didn't smile, but there was a tiny quirk to the corner of his lips that might have been attempting to become one.

This whole interaction didn't seem like the usual song and dance where people asked for his time when he didn't want to give it and he tolerated them so they couldn't complain but turned them down. Jemma had a different approach, one he could actually respect.

Sebastian sighed. "Okay, so." He cleared his throat. "I'm possibly willing to work with you. On a case by case basis. None of this full-time, in the office, following a list of arbitrary rules and dress codes."

[jemmadorny]

A tried and true smile spread across her face. She was serious when she said her team was her family. She didn't just invite anyone to be apart of it. She needed people she could trust- people who could trust her in return. She would, in fact, go to the ends of the Earth for them. So, it was certainly a process.

She nodded her head, then, at his demands. The loner type did tend to take a while to warm up. She wasn't surprised by any of them.

"We can work out the details," she said, bringing her glass up, then, in a cheers. "Thank you, Bash- I'll be grateful for you help and your skill set-"

[daleysebastian]

"My skill set is varied." Sebastian lifted his own glass in a toast but didn't clink the glasses before he drank.

This may be a terrible idea, but it's not as if Sebastian didn't know how to cut and run. It was only a matter of time before she realized he'd vanish on certain nights and days. Jemma was intelligent, he could tell. She'd put the pieces together and that would be when he'd be off again.

Hopefully, it wouldn't be before he had time to utilize whatever resources came along with working as a part of her team.

"Was there something specific you wanted me for or was this your general you'd be useful in the future ambush?"

[jemmadorny]

"We work in very high profile situations, with very high profile individuals-" she said.

"These people are powerful and have a lot of resources to work against us. I can only put myself in so many situations at once without abusing the bloody hell out of a Time Turner-" she paused, laughing softly. "You're good. I've heard enough about you to know that you're good at what you do and I need that.

[daleysebastian]

"Ambush for the future," Sebastian snorted with a nod. "I do like your mission statement, though."

While Sebastian had taken the off job that wasn't exactly for the right reasons, he'd always tried to make sure innocent people weren't hurt in the process. If it became obvious they would be, he's always shut the whole thing down as soon as possible.

"It's a good thing power and prestige don't affect me much, then."

[jemmadorny]

Jemma lived in it- the world of power and prestige. She did a good job of affecting her life to mimic those she worked against. It was always easier to catch someone in a lie when they thought you were one of them. They loosened up, lost their footing.

She banked on that nearly every time.

And when it didn't pan out? Well, blackmail never failed her.

"Ditto on that," she said, tipping back the rest of her wine glass now, finishing the glass empty. She looked at his, "Another?"

[daleysebastian]

Sebastian considered it. Another drink wouldn't hurt anything, but it would also probably make this that much harder. He was such a melancholy drunk a good chunk of the time.

"I think I'll pass, but thanks." Sebastian gave her a small, tight smile.

He let her order, though.

"So, tell me, how'd I end up on your radar, anyway? I mean I'm good, but I'm not exactly making the papers."

[jemmadorny]

She was, in fact, going to have another glass of wine and she went ahead to order her refill before looking back at Sebastian. She caught his eye, though, noticing the look in his face as he neglected the offer. She said nothing but kept that moment locked away in her brain.

"That is precisely how you ended up on my radar," she said, tilting her head slightly in emphasis. "You're discreet and fair. An old client of yours and I worked together not too long ago and she sang your praises-"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"That's what got me interested in the first place but it was keeping an eye on you that made me want to meet you."