Uhh... I can explain? (Tag: Maddox, Imani)

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Knockturn alley was as it always was; a dark and foreboding place that most knew as a dangerous place to be. It *was* certainly dark, dangerous even, but for those who knew to handle that quirk it was a bevy of information. After the last war anti-dark sentiments have been increasing... Depsite this? Knockturn has proven resilient. There were certainly numerous raids after the fact, and apart from a few prolific cases, the majority of the alley had managed to maintain its business integrity. The shop owners likely laid low for a time, but in 2023? They have come back. It was one of the reasons Milo enjoyed frequenting these parts as of recent; there was many an bauble that had interesting curses and/or enchantments placed upon it, some particularly ancient. On this day? Milo found himself across from a random odds and ends stand in some off corner of the street. In general, he found himself along these streets to find an odd discovery; something the shopkeeper clearly didn't have any idea of.

It wasn't Milo's first rodeo upon these streets. He knew to be instantly wary, and he had the ability to cast silent diagnostic charms from beneath his robes to confirm his ideas. Only his experience dealing with dark magic prevented him from widening his eyes at the discovery as he pointed at the trinket. Oh it wasn’t anything terribly spectacular, what appeared to be a wooden hairpin with some mildly unpleasant curses for anyone who should try and steal it. Fascinatingly, Milo couldn’t fully recognize some of the enchantment within the piece, and it appeared to be made of *wood*… Wood just didn’t stand the test of time, even pieces enchanted for longevity of placed into stasis! He managed to keep his gaze level, browsing other pieces... It certainly helped that there was a young woman perusing the same stand, albeit asking about the contents of a particular potion and garnering the majority of the keeper's attention. For the most part, it was an 'honest' exchange, at least as honest as you could find in Knockturn, until the matter of price came about. When he heard what the man wanted, Milo nearly chocked. He half shouted despite himself knowing better than to involve himself in other people's business. 

"30 Galleons?! Are you mad? Charging HALF that would still be exorbitant!" 

Both pairs of eyes turned towards him at his exclamation, Milo unable to help the creep of a small blush in his own embarrassment. He was about to open his mouth to explain when he felt the barest of disturbance from his long coat, a minute shock traveling through his body. In truth, Milo would have felt nothing at all if not for the trip line enchanted into the hem of his pockets, it was an expert hand... Unfortunately it was also one that had just made a terrible mistake: said pocket contained his... Defense tools. The cursebreaker's hands blurred into motion all at once, one drawing his wand and pointing a silent stunner towards the shop keeper, and the other snapping towards the hand currently still in his pocket. Said limb belonged to a young boy, dingy and certainly no older than ten years old and currently sported a small prick on his finger, blood not yet even shed. The boy's eyes widened in shock and he began violently tugging his arm in an attempt to slip the iron grip now clamped around his wrist. Milo didn't even hesitate, casting a very mild cutting charm with the smallest of whispers for added control. He opened the wound further before twirling his wand in a stirring motion. Black ichor seeped from the wound, and within naught but a second the color changed to the crimson of blood, thankfully the toxin hadn't traveled far. Milo breathed a sigh of relief before casting a simple Episky and knitting it back together. 

"Don't you know better than to go pilfering through strange pockets in Knockturn, kid?"

The street urchin was, understandably, ghost white in terror and didn't so much as breathe in response. Milo grumbled tiredly before reaching into a different pocket and pressing five golden coins into the boys hand. He closed the boys fingers around the coins and spun him around, offering a small tap on his back to get his dismissal across. 

"Off you pop kid, be more careful next time."

With that business taken care of, all he had to do was modify the keeper's memories, give him a brief ennervate and he could call this almost disaster solved!... Why did he feel like he was forgetting something?... He turned his head, having completely forgotten about the young woman that had also perused the stand with him (Let alone anyone who might have been remotely on the street)... Milo, in his infinite wisdom, had the intelligence to look sheepish.

"Uhh... I can explain?"

[IMANI DENTION]

Imani had a habit of pressing things. She had practically made an art form of it. Whether it be pressing matters, buttons (physical or metaphorically), conversation... Heck! She even enjoyed pressing the wrinkles out of blouses. It was just something that she was good at whether folks wanted her to or not. Lucky for her, and perhaps unlucky for them, she rarely took no for an answer and this, combined with her ability to be so exuberant and charming that it practically hurt, and people were doomed from the start. Her adoptive father Maddox was her 'victim' for today every day.

"C'mon, Pops. We don't got all day." There was that pesky fun button pressing again. The obliviator teased, grinning as she gestured outward daring him to follow. Her gift of gab plus a backwards walk with a bright smile brought them to Knockturn Alley a place her father, rightfully so, didn't really think that they should be - but where else were they going to find what she was after? Diagon? Some muggle mall? The internet? Unlikely on all counts. Nope. Knockturn is where they needed to be dark and foreboding as it was in such a manner that Imani's personality was currently the brightest thing in the joint.

"You really need to get out more, dude. But, like, without me sometimes. You know, by yourself... but with somebody else. Again, not me. You know, like a quick chat, or a hang, or a date. Did I say date? Nope. Not me. Somebody else. Pesky billywigs." She announced, not caring who heard, waving at the air to sway away an imaginary insect before turning to face properly straight forward and walking toward a stand. "Oh! That's what I'm talking about." Imani declared, smiling as she proceeded to rub her hands together eagerly before reaching out to pick up the container. "Just what I was looking for." She said quietly, turning the glass to view the contents swirling it lightly and watching how a tiny tornado formed in the black glittery liquid before fading away. Veritaserum. I've found it. None of the baby stuff either. This was legit - and strong by the looks of it. Her smile grew though she actually tried to mask her eagerness so her dad wouldn't notice.

"How much?" She boldly asked the storekeeper not allowing her dad to interject when he realized what she was holding. The price had her eyes widening and it seemed to have a more dramatic effect on the man beside her. Instantly her attention shifted to him, her chin wrinkling as she scrunched up her face not even bothering to hide her judgment. "You blow a gasket?" She asked without filter - probably a trait that her father both loved and hated (especially in times like these when she insisted on gabbing with strangers no matter who they were). Speaking of, she looked up at Maddox. "I think he's done lost it." Her voice was quieter but Milo could definitely hear every word. Imani lacked the ability to whisper it seemed.

Turning back to look at Milo she noticed the warmth in his cheeks, features softening somewhat. "That suits you, ya know." Was she flirting? Yup. She had no shame and she certainly didn't hide it in front of her dad. Her dark hand traced over her emerald trench coat and came to the pink flower pinned at the chest. Unpinning it she then stepped forward boldly pinning it on Milo without even asking. Patting his chest, pleased with her handiwork she stepped back alongside her father giving Milo one last look up and down and nodding in affirmation. "There. You match." Looking back to the storeowner her expression turned more serious. It was business time.

"I will be paying seven galleons for this and not a cent more." 

"Ten." 

"Done." She quickly fished some coins from a purple satchel and then tucked the potion into her coat pocket. "Would have paid fifteen." She flashed a cheeky smirk unable to help herself which had the purveyor huffing. Ignoring the display she turned back to Milo. "Thanks, hun." It was upon further examination of his face that her smile faltered. "Wait a sec..." Looking up at Maddox her eyes widened stressing her point. "Dad, we know him-" But before she could finish her thought all hell broke loose. As quickly as it occurred it was over and the boy was sent his way and Milo would turn to find Imani's wand raised and pointed right at his face, her own face stern, serious, and unwavering.

"I think I would like my flower back." Yeah, not exactly the best catchphrase but she didn't want someone who was out here trying to kill kids sporting a gift that she gave them. "Now, I remember you." It was many years ago but the nervous mannerisms followed by explosions and sheepish looks were a dead giveaway. "Manic Milo." She briefly tore her gaze away from where her wand was to Maddox. "Dad, it's Milo." Looking back at Milo the edge of her wand lifted to poke his chin lifting his gaze. "I didn't recognize you with your ass not in a trashcan." The presence of her father at her side now had her bashful when she practically felt his disappointment. "Sorry. Rear. Rear." Working with parents was hard.

[MADDOX DENTON]

Some days Maddox wished he didn't fold so easily to his daughter. Or, rather, he thought he wished he didn't fold so easily, as if he would change anything. Imani got him out of the house farm more than he would ever be on his own, and any time spent with her was never boring, it never had been boring. Hell, some day in the future he wouldn't be surprised if she was the reason that he met his future husband.

Maddox grumbled out a sigh as he followed 'Mani into Knockturn Alley, already dreading it, "We've got plenty of time." Better to play it safe with the Alley anyway. He'd tended bar down here for years until, well, probably knew at least half the streets like the back of his hand and could already see a few faces he recognized. That didn't mean that he wanted his daughter here, though. It was just as shady of a place as it had been before the war, always finding a way to spring back. But, Imani had been insistent that they could only find whatever it was that she needed here. Of course he had come along, no one he cared about was going into this hell hole alone.

Already his eyes were sweeping over the crowds, he certainly wasn't an auror or anything but how much of a difference did that make? The only thing that gave him any comfort was the years that had passed and the anonymity of the crowd which also had the opposite effect. And yet he also had 'Mani here, lighting the way. Practically bouncing backwards at her pace and chatting along. "Mm, but what would I do without your company?" He was only half joking, it had been quite a long time since he'd been on an actual date. Even back then, the amount of dates that had been involved had been rather few. But gods, he really hadn't been getting out much past working since Imani had moved out.

"Maybe I do need to go on a date," Maddox hummed thoughtfully under his breath, half in an effort to keep Imani from getting any ideas about setting him up. Trailing after Imani to the stand, his eyes skimmed over the contents, only glancing back up at Imani's exclamation and spotting the Veritaserum, "Do I want to know what you need that for?" Probably not, but he hoped it was for work anything not to be a guinea pig. No, she seemed far too excited for it to be meant for anything that wouldn't have dread circling in the pit of Mads's stomach. Better not to know.

Maddox's eyes flew to the other man perusing the stall at his exclamation, eyes narrowing on him as his eyes traced the man's face. Familiar. Despite the man's … demeanor? Mads still found himself rolling his eyes skywards at Imani's comment, for all that he loved her it certainly didn't feel like the comment to make to a stranger in Knockturn Alley. "He just seems passionate about bartering," Maddox replied diplomatically, and maybe a bit quieter than his daughter.

On another note, there was a new fresh hell and it was watching his daughter attempt to flirt with a man his age. "Behave yourself, 'Mani," he commented, as if that would actually do anything. It took his daughter's comment about recognizing the man before a light went off, "I think we do-" Then the man was stunning the shopkeeper and grabbing some kid's hand, what the absolute fuck was going on? Maddox's hand was on his wand and pulling it out as he split the boy's finger open further. He had no idea what the fuck was going on but it sure as hell didn't seem like anything good.

"Manic Milo." Maddox vaguely recognized the nickname, also remembered through his panicked mind trying to get little Imani to stop using that name. He was too distracted to even try to correct Imani's language. She got a pass for now. "Milo, right." Now he remembered the man, watching him stumble around and out of the bar gods know how many times. And end up with his ass in a trash can. "What the absolute bloody fucking hell are you doing?" Yeah, this wasn't feeling all that much like a reunion and that had better he a damn good explanation.

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There was a wand pointed to his throat and another pointed at his person in general. Milo’s danger sense flared to life, his immediate urge to simply apparate away or curse the pair almost violently shoved into the smooth obsidian that made up his mental barriers. His features betrayed nothing of said conflict, perhaps the only indication being the utter absence of the earlier nervousness… The absence of any emotion at all, really. He spared a glance towards the shop keeper who he stunned and almost couldn’t help but wince. There was almost certainly a lump on his forehead starting to form as he bumped his head from his legs unexpectedly collapsing under him. Mentally he recounted everything that had gone pear shaped. 'Two wands pointed at me... Unconscious and potentially injured shopkeeper... Accidentally nearly killed a street urchin with a a deadly and highly regulated poison... Saved said urchin with another borderline Dark Spell...' All that taken into consideration? There was only one thought that could go through his mind.

‘Honestly that could have gone worse.’

A brief sparkle of humor softened the blank expression he carefully maintained, amused despite himself at his general misfortune that he could afford such a thought. He slowly put his hands up placatingly, showing that he definitely wasn’t a threat under any most circumstances… At least not intentionally. Eventually, and due in no small part to his Occlumency, his mind managed to catch up to the remainder of the conversation directed towards him and, frankly, if there weren’t a wand on his gizzard, he probably would have rolled his eyes. It didn't help his annoyance that, somehow, he couldn’t help the feeling that he wasn’t really disproving that cursed nickname in the slightest. A moment later, his eyes fully took in Maddox’s form, him having not changed significantly in the relatively many years since they had last seen each other. ‘Wait… If he’s here with what is a 20 something year old woman…

“Imani?”… His eyes glanced to the other again. “Maddox?!”

His voice went up almost an octave as his surprise completely broke through his control. Partly due to said surprise, and partly due to sheer mortification. He released a long-held sigh he didn’t even know he was holding, the threat of the wands fading. Those two were people who wouldn’t kill, who weren’t utterly jaded or broken to life completely, damn good people in other words. His gaze eventually settled on Imani, and he couldn't help the flush that reappeared on his face from what her memory made of him. Yes, they were certainly good people... Unfortunately they were also good people who had gotten to know Milo when he was at his worst. Besides, obviously there were hidden dark artifacts at the bottom of those trashcans. That was his story and he was sticking to it! As such he had to reply to the implication with the most elegant of replies. 

"Oii!"

Of the insanity that had transpired in this moment, it was instead Maddox that made Milo's eyes practically bug out, his mouth drop, and his hair to practically stand on end. He can swear?! For a moment he was completely shell shocked, unable to formulate a coherent response as he simply took in the incredulity of the moment. In fairness, it's not as if his memory of the man was exactly clear, but his memory of him was purely mild mannered and generally soft spoken, though firm. It took longer than he'd have liked, but eventually Milo managed to compose himself and he just couldn't help another sigh, mentally berating himself for getting distracted... AGAIN. He didn't bother schooling his features this time, figuring that a raw response would be the better course. 

"The boy is a skilled pickpocket, he unknowingly pricked his finger on a dangerous artifact that would have left him dead within five minutes. If you wish for more information we must adjourn to a more secure location... The answers to your questions are the minimum I owe the both of you, at least." 

He would never admit that he had deliberately forgotten to mention the flower, it had warmed his heart... Warmth was relatively rare for the man. 

[IMANI DENTION]

"See, Pops? I was right. It is him!" Where she should have been quiet and discreet she was anything but, pointing animatedly at the nervous blast from the past. "Yeah! What are you-" Words that punctuated by her wand being repeatedly thrust into Milo's chest were briefly cut short when she glanced over her shoulder at her father in shock.

"Pops! You swore! I mean... Kinda!" She half shrugged before turning her full attention back on Milo sporting what was supposed to be an intimidating scowl but instead looked rather cute that is before she realized another thing. "No. You said bloody and fucking so you definitely cursed, like, definitely" She informed her dad before once again refocusing her attention where it belonged.

"And we're supposed to believe that Manic - er- Milo. Just Milo." Once again she looked at her dad exasperated. "What?! I fixed it. Milo. Just Milo." Turning back to the older man she tapped her wand on the top of his head as if trying to wake him up. It was like she was knocking on the front door of his home except it was, well, his skull. "And why are you carrying around said artifact? Huh?" She was one to interrogate, hadn't she just purchased a heavily regulated and most likely illegal substance herself?

"Well, we don't got all day." Huffing she reached out suddenly and took the flower she had given him back, handing it behind herself to her father. "No flower for you until you spill. Now, man!"

[MADDOX DENTON]

"Yes, you were right." Granted, she was right more often than he would want to admit these days (even though he admitted it regularly). Milo looked about the same as he had twenty years ago, back when Imani had been a new fixture in his life. Maybe a little more gray, but that was about it as far as appearance went. Except, maybe he looked somewhat more put together, considering the last time Maddox had seen him he had been drunk off his ass.

Maddox sighed at being called out, trying to put on his best impassive expression, even knowing that Imani would see through him easily. "I can curse sometimes." He grumbled, crossing his arms across his chest, wand still firmly in his hand. "Doesn't mean you can swear, though." Because parents were supposed to have slightly unreasonable rules like that, right? It was just part of being a parent, same as all of the worrying.

"Yes," Maddox agreed easily, "That seems rather like an … extreme artifact to just be carrying around in your pocket." Especially in a place like Knockturn Alley where pickpockets thrived, that was just asking to kill someone - accidentally or not. Pickpocketing really wasn't a crime that should be punished with death, no matter if it was a crime. Maddox was happy to let Imani lead Milo's interrogation.

Accepting the flower to hold from Imani, Maddox narrowed his eyes on Milo. "Fine, we can go to your secure location. Anything fishy though and Imani gets to hex you." Maddox felt confident enough in his ability to identify the most fishy areas of Knockturn Alley and keep Imani and himself safe if Milo tried to pull anything. "Let's get going, pal." The term was less than friendly, but Maddox would apologize when he was feeling less tense, and knew that he and his daughter were safe.