Welcome to Until The End. We are a moderate Harry Potter role-playing site set in the Marauder's Era. Our plot is generally derived from details in the book, but as an AU site we do take liberties most anywhere we like. Those who died in the books can have a second chance at living, and those who lived are always at risk.
Tom Marvolo Riddle has long since disappeared and in his stead Lord Voldemort has risen, bringing a small army with him. The Ministry of Magic has thus far ignored the growing menace that is the Death Eaters and Albus Dumbledore has taken it upon himself to defend the wizarding community from an evil he knows is building. War is coming. Pick a side!
School's Out For Summer
The Hogwart's Express has pulled up to the station in King's Cross station and the summer holidays have officially begun. What mischeif will you get into in the warm summer sun?
*Coming Soon* - Summer Solstice Carnival
Travel by portkey to the biggest summer celebration in wizard society - The Summer Solstice Carnival! There will be food, games, prizes, fun and more!
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Aug 4, 2019 21:10:58 GMT -8
Monday at the office was a little awkward, considering Lyra had all but abandoned a very important client for what essentially mounted as a two-day shag fest. She made it through Monday though, and Tuesday. Wednesday she snuck away during her lunch hour to see him, and Thursday she went straight to the chateau after work. She spent the night with Julian on Friday but sneaked away come Saturday to have a moment to herself at her flat. Not before insisting he come to dinner with her to smooth things over with Elara and Nik. "I suppose it would be rude not to invite your friend," she said offhandedly. Talia was nice enough, for the little Lyra had actually seen of the woman - there was only so many hours in the day to be with Julian and they had so much catching up to do. She kissed him deeply before trotting off to her apartment for the majority of the day, having sent an owl to each of her friends insisting they have dinner together and a proper catch up.
Bella Siena was a gorgeous restaurant. Julian had taken her there many times before his great disappearing act, and she and Elara had come a handful of times since. It reminded Lyra of the happier moments in her relationship and she had decided it was the perfect setting for a proper reunion between friends. She had agreed to meet Lara there instead of getting ready together as they often did. She didn't want to chance that she might spoil her plan to reunite their little gang once more and she hadn't exactly been straightforward with either of her friends. Perhaps Lara had cooled down enough since last weekend, but she seriously doubted that Nik had. He liked to hold a grudge. Lyra knew of that first hand.
The table seemed particularly large as she sat there alone, a glass of wine in hand. A watch didn't go with her outfit, but she felt as though everyone was late. She'd been sitting there forever, hadn't she? No, probably not. She was letting her nerves get the best of her. In the absence of any proper company as of yet, Lyra's mind began to wander and she thought to the last time she'd tried to spring a reunion on Julian and his best mate. She'd destroyed that relationship as well, and her ploy had not gone as planned. Mason hadn't heard from Julian over the last year, the same as the rest of them, not that she had expected much but she still checked in. She cared for Mason and it was obvious he still cared for her. She couldn't cut him out of her life completely but it was understandably difficult for them to spend much time together. Lyra sent him an owl every once in a while and they spoke if they ever crossed paths by chance, but that was it. She wondered now if he even knew that Julian had returned. Lyra was deep in thought, and well into her glass of wine, by the time the first of her guests arrived.
Post by Elara Samain Sayre on Aug 4, 2019 22:09:42 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"No one calls you honey when you're sitting on a throne."
They were going to be late. Elara despised being late, unless she planned on being fashionably late. She typically liked to arrive early and make the scene her own - there was probably some psychological issues attached to her habit, but it was her preference all the same. If that wasn't enough to set her on edge, her date for the evening was very close to having a stiletto rammed somewhere extremely uncomfortable if he didn't stop pouting.
Lara wasn't an idiot and Lyra - while absolutely lovable - was predictable. It didn't take a mastermind to figure out Lyra's elaborate set up, she had already attempted the "surprise make up" dinner once before. It was only surprising that she would try it again after the utter failure the previous one had been. Mason was recovering well enough, but things weren't the same between them at all. Fortunately he seemed to have moved on, even if the friendship never recovered.
It had been a week since Lara stormed into Lyra's flat, beat up her boyfriend, and disappeared. In that time she had given her friend space while she dealt with her own frustration and downward spiral alone - the way she liked it.
She still kept tabs on Lyra, and was pleased to find out that Lyra had gone back to work and smoothed ruffled feathers. It was a step in the right direction, but really Elara missed Lyra's presence in her life. She didn't like the way things were left between them, and before she pushed Lyra away all together she needed to do something. Unfortunately she wasn't the best at reaching out, so when Lyra suggested they get dinner Elara agreed.
When Lyra suggested the where and who (Nik was invited as well), Lara knew it was a set up, but it was too innocent and too "Lyra" to decline. Lyra might have had ulterior motives, but it came from a place of happiness and wanting everyone to get along. Lara wasn't sure that would happen that night, she wasn't sure it would ever happen actually, but she knew she needed something. She was straying too close to the edge these days and as history had shown her - she needed tethers to this world. Perhaps she needed Julian as well.
She only had one current obstacle - Nik. He wasn't so easily moved. He had no intention of going through with Lyra's charade and put his foot down on the matter.
Lara had managed to cajole, charm, and even threaten Nik to the very entrance of the restaurant, but he was being beyond petulant sitting in the carriage across from her.
They spent another fifteen minutes in the carriage before Elara emerged. Alone. She only made it three steps before feeling Nik's arm circle hers. Smile fixed she headed inside with her fiance on her arm.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Aug 5, 2019 8:27:49 GMT -8
The restaurant was busy but there was no missing the familiar click-clack of those stilettos and long legs. Lyra turned her eyes up in time to see Lara and Nik approaching, and she smiled genuinely and wide. "Oh now don't I feel under dressed," she said with a smirk, setting her wineglass on the table and rising to meet her friends. "I'd demand to borrow that dress but I don't think anyone but you could pull it off." She gave Lara a kiss on the cheek and then turned toward the less pleasant looking of the pair. "Well, I'm sure you could," she said to Nik, "but that's a whole different thing." She gave Nik a cheeky grin, unsure if he would respond in kind or begin the lecturing straight away. She was well versed in his lectures but she never grew fond of them.
Post by Nicholas Evander Malfoy on Aug 5, 2019 14:10:14 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"Take me to Church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies."
It was that damned dress that brought Nik into the restaurant. When they left the castle Lara had been tastefully dressed in an "appropriate" black number that was no less stunning, if slightly less revealing.
He honestly wasn't sure how he had ended up in the very last place he wanted to be, but he was sure it was Lara's fault. He too was aware of Lyra's scheme and had ignored her invitation only to find out that Lara had accepted on his behalf. He wanted to be furious with her, he really did, but he could never stay angry for long where the devious brunette was concerned.
Angry or not, he had no intention of actually going into the restaurant until a dramatic wardrobe change in the carriage left his fiance half-naked. She stepped confidently out of the carriage while Nik was still processing the expanse of skin now visible on her person. It didn't take him long to catch up to her a noticeable tick in his jaw showing his displeasure. Although now that he had entered the restaurant he wasn't sure why he had fought so hard to begin with.
Lyra was there - stunning as always - but Julian was suspiciously absent. The night was young.
"Unfortunately, I don't have the legs for it." he said, delivering the joke in a deadpanned voice that only hinted at his irritation.
"You look lovely." he said remembering his better manners and greeting his friend.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Aug 5, 2019 20:36:52 GMT -8
The first thing out of his mouth was not a lecture and the second was a compliment. They were off to a good start. Lyra grinned and bumped him with her elbow. "That is sooo not what I meant." She straightened herself, adopting a less humorous expression. "You clean up well, too." This was, perhaps, the most dressed down Lyra had seen of Nik in a while, and she had a sneaking feeling it was because he was on to her and wasn't wanting to play into her games. Whatever the case may be, he was here and she was eager to get things sorted so they could all get back to normal.
Returning to her chair, she sat down and gestured for the waitress. "Come on, sit down. I haven't seen you in a week. I need catching up." Lyra lifted her glass and looked expectantly at Elara, knowing she would participate more willingly than Nik.
Post by Elara Samain Sayre on Aug 25, 2019 9:48:23 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"No one calls you honey when you're sitting on a throne."
Elara had to resist making a noise at Lyra's comment over Nik's casual clothing. The man was a walking Adonis; he had an amazing aesthetic that looked good in anything and even better in nothing. But jeans and a leather jacket did not a dinner outfit make - even if they were designer. If Nik had been anyone other than Nicholas Malfoy, they may have even turned him away at the door. Perhaps he had been hoping they might bar him from the restaurant and prevent him from dealing with whatever exhausting scheme Lyra was up to.
He simply didn't account for Elara's determination. He should have known better.
She sat as Nik held her chair for her then proceeded to do the same for Lyra. It was times like these that she thought about their supposed future together. Nik was a walking contradiction, so austere and drab on the surface, so very passionate and vulnerable underneath. He carried it well, but Sam had known Nik too long and too intimately to not see the broken man hiding behind a wall of jagged arrogant and judgmental pieces.
In some ways they were perfect for each other. They were both too broken to be any good to anyone else, but at least they had trust - and trust was the most precious and scare commodity Elara had. For so many years her faith in Nik had been the only thing keeping her going. Some days the overwhelming agony of losing her father coupled with her mother's cruelty would send her over the edge. On those rare occasions Elara could feel herself slipping away, retreating behind a mask of indifference and submitting to the bitter cut throat witch she knew could survive - even if it meant being a monster. But Nik. He always kept her from sinking all the way. He protected her. His wealth, position, and blood status automatically made him a powerful authority. When Elara was young she was jealous of the power Nik would have while she would likely have to just marry a man for power. That was before she had been named heiress to the entire Sayre holdings.
Elara never fully believed her mother's cruel barbs regarding her father's feelings about her. Nadya's rantings often clashed with Sam's warmer memories of her father, but over the years and the longer the absence from her life, Elara began to question Aedan's love. Maybe she even doubted he would include her in his will - that he still considered her to be his daughter. But those doubts had been effectively eradicated when the will was read. It was another blow to Sam to find out that her father did indeed love her, but he was gone and she couldn't tell him she loved him too.
Even being the Sayre heiress however didn't give her the full power to do as she pleased. She was still her mother's puppet and the only person who could spare her Nadya's vitriol was Nik. Under Nik's protection, Sam had hope. But that was before Rafe. Now Sam had nothing. Rafe didn't deserve what happened to him. And she didn't deserve Nik after what she had put in motion. She didn't deserve him, but she was afraid of who she might become without him.
She was pulled away from her thoughts by Lyra's request to be "filled in" and had to clear her mind to recall the past few days. She made a face, "It's been uneventful really."
If she had known life at home would be as dull or perhaps even more dull than Hogwarts, she may have decided to have gone back for her seventh year. She still might, but she didn't need to. Elara took and passed her N.E.W.T.s early when her cousin tested for hers.
Even if she hadn't passed, her superficial future as a trophy wife didn't require an education, and her intended future - taking over her father's empire - wasn't exactly the material Hogwarts taught.
But Christine needed needed at least five high scores to even be eligible for the academy - something Seamus was adamant about Christine not joining. Naturally, Christine made a deal - if she could get at least five Os on her N.E.W.T.s she'd be allowed to apply for the academy. Elara seized the same opportunity and struck her own deal with Seamus - she would take the exams with her cousin: Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Herbology, if she passed all five subjects with an E or higher she could forgo her seventh year at Hogwarts and apprentice under him to learn the ins and outs of the Sayre developments.
To Seamus' chagrin and pride, both girls scored exceptionally well on the exams. He conceded to both demands, and while he had allowed Elara to attend meetings with him with relative ease, the real struggle was allowing Christine to apply for the Academy.
Elara frowned. Home life had indeed been dull, but her cousin's depression was a disturbing mystery. What had happened in Egypt? Christine wouldn't say, most of the time she just looked sad or ill.
But that wasn't the conversation Lyra wanted. Elara didn't know all of Lyra's scheme, but she could still play her part and steer the conversation toward something innocuous, "Oh, but the Autumnal Equinox is just around the corner, that should be entertaining."
That meant parties, a fall fashion line, socializing and networking for the blonde in the fashion world. Elara's world wasn't much different - social events, political gatherings, business deals - always one reason or another for a party.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Sept 5, 2019 20:48:53 GMT -8
Talk of fashion and soirees was not what Lyra had hoped to speak about, but then she really wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting. Lyra was blissfully unaware of any dramatics within the Sayre household – well, anything recent at least – so there would have been no possible way that she would have expected gossip regarding Christine’s summertime adventures. Though when the blonde finally did discover something juicy, she would be sure to get all the details straight from the horse’s mouth. Christine was lovely, a real joy to be around. The girls had spent a bit of time together as a threesome, Christine, Lyra, and Elara. Lyra would be perfectly happy to entertain Christine one on one, given the chance, but between their busy schedules and Lyra’s mental breakdown last year they just hadn’t gotten the opportunity to built up their friendship.
But Lyra wasn’t thinking of Christine in that moment. She was hardly even thinking of Elara or Nik, both of whom were sitting across the table from her. She smiled at the mention of the upcoming equinox and nodded enthusiastically from behind her glass as she swallowed her most recent sip of wine. “Mhmm,” she vocalized in agreement. “I’m expecting all sorts of fabulous parties now that you’re free from Hogwarts.” Elara opting out of her final year of schooling gave the illusion of her having more free time to spend with her friends socializing, but Lyra knew that wouldn’t be the case. Lara was always quite busy with one thing or another, and with Julian back Lyra’s own free time would diminish greatly.
It always came back around to Julian. Blue eyes scanned the entrance of the restaurant quickly, though not at all discretely, in hopes that she would soon see Julian’s gorgeous smile greeting her. She was anxious to get all of her loved ones on speaking terms once again. They were the only real family Lyra had left after being disowned by her own parents and blockaded from contacting her sister more than a lone letter here and there. After all the terrible shite that happened around her these last several years, her friends and Julian had been the only truly stable support she had, and for them to be on ill ground with each other was simply heartbreaking.
Post by Julian Taranis Faust on Nov 30, 2019 22:51:58 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"Never again will I justify the scars because I loved the person holding the knife."
Julian paused at the side entrance taking one last drag of relief before flicking the bud into the street. It was time to face the music or the executioner as it were. He sighed. It wasn't that he didn't want to make things right between Nik and Sam - he did - but it wasn't as simple as Lyra's optimistic determination wanted it to be.
You couldn't put him, Nik, and Sam at the same table and expect one of them to break. This was their stage. They had all perfected the art of polite conversation and acceptable table manners while secretly plotting the death or demise of the enemy sitting across from you. All with a picture perfect smile. It was a game. They were masters.
But Julian would do it, much for the same reason he imagined Sam would do it, and then why Sam would inevitably drag Nik out as well. Lyra. They all loved that girl, and he was the bastard that broke her. They couldn't forgive that, and he couldn't blame them.
Rolling his shoulders once more and shaking the bad feeling away he reentered the restaurant from the side and returned to the table with a bottle in hand.
"I took the liberty of talking Pierre out of his vintage." he said, smile grand enough to dispel any false givings.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Feb 15, 2020 21:52:38 GMT -8
While Lyra was glancing toward the main entrance in a manner she hoped was subtle and not at all intending to lose track of the conversation being held at the table, she was completely unaware of the handsome man approaching from behind. She heard his voice first, a smile breaking instantly at his familiar timbre. Lyra turned, blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she looked to Julian and rising a little in her seat. She wanted to greet him properly, no, she actually wanted to greet him by leaping over the arm of her chair and knocking him to his perfect backside and snogging his face off, but a proper greeting in public would have to suffice. For now. She lifted herself from her chair, setting her wine glass on the table as she rose, and took a single step in his direction. “Fashionably late, I see. You know that’s my move.” She grinned at him and kissed him gently on the side of the mouth, having initially gone for his lips but at the last moment deciding a kiss on the cheek was more appropriate given their company and the group’s history together. Lyra felt nervous suddenly, as if there were more at stake than just a meal between friends, and there was. “And he brings gifts,” she said, feigning an impressed tone. “Come, sit.” She moved back into her seat, her hand resting gently on the arm of the empty chair next to her where Julian would sit. She looked to Elara and Nik. “We were just discussing some of our upcoming social obligations. You’ll have to ready your tux,” she said, turning her blue eyes back to the dashing smile of her long-lost lover. Julian in a tuxedo was a site to behold, of course, Julian in anything – or nothing – could take Lyra’s breath away but there was something about a tuxedo that made her swoon. Perhaps it was the memory of their sensual affair in the alcove off the Summerton ballroom that brought back all sorts of tingly feelings, or possibly it was simply the knowledge that if Julian was in a tux it meant he would most certainly sweep her off her feet on the dance floor. Whatever the case may be, Lyra was miraculously ten times more interested in their former topic of conversation.
Post by Nicholas Evander Malfoy on Apr 21, 2020 18:42:26 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"Take me to Church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies."
Nik's glacial demeanor was a tangible thing. The nearly social atmosphere that had briefly appeared between the three of them was gone as the man gave new definition to the words, if looks could kill, directed at the newest arrival.
Nik probably could have done a better job concealing his hostility, but he was similarly reminded in that moment that this was not his idea and he did not want to come. He was under no obligation to be pleasant. If they wanted him, they would have to deal with him, and he wasn't feeling particularly charitable in that moment to any of them.
Post by Elara Samain Sayre on Apr 22, 2020 18:37:41 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"No one calls you honey when you're sitting on a throne."
Elara had a surprising amount of strength considering how small her fingers were. When she pinched Nik's leg his jaw visibly clenched and his death glare wavered to the witch next to him.
They exchanged bland looks with only the barest of expressions, but enough communication occurred for Nik to busy himself and ignore their new guest while Elara raised an eyebrow at the handsome wizard carrying a very nice bottle.
"Well, if there's presents." she sassed with a trademark smirk. She didn't stand to greet him, but she did lift her chin so he could lean down and press a chaste kiss to her cheek in greeting.
It was a branch. For Lyra. For Elara's own tortured soul. She was simply too weary to hold a grudge and too guilty to judge anyone. She was only concerned for Lyra, and to that end, extremely protective.
She'd make Julian work for it, if for no other reason than it would prove he was sincere. No more games. How ironic was that?
Post by Talia Keshet Ahmad on Apr 25, 2020 20:54:43 GMT -8
Talia had considered rejecting the blonde's invitation to dinner for a number of reasons. She did not know any of Julian's English mates, nor did she really care to. She also did not fancy sitting through an entire dinner watching that dumb blonde throw herself at such an honorable, respectable man. Julian was overwhelmed by the harlot's enthusiasm, it teetered on an obsession for him, as far as Talia was able to discern. Therein lied the problem; the more alone time Julian and his former girlfriend were permitted, the further away he would push Talia and then where would she and Farah go? They were strangers in this country, with nowhere to live and no means to support themselves. Julian had been the only upstanding wizard she had met since Rayan's death and she depended on him more than she was willing to admit to him. It was to have been a simple enough plan; escape to the UK, seduce Julian, and raise her daughter comfortably with a man whom she could see herself one day growing to love. She and Julian had grown close on their long sea voyage. It had all been going to plan until the blonde's arrival, but Talia was up for a little challenge.
Dressed in something she knew would draw a man's eye no matter how "in love" he claimed to be with the witch who shattered his heart, Talia arrived later than she had expected to. Farah had been difficult to part with, and neither she nor her mother felt very easy about their separation but Julian had assured her she would be well cared for by his staff. Talia left the manor nearly 20 minutes later than she's expected to. By the time she arrived at the restaurant, it appeared everyone was waiting on her. She held her head high as the hostess showed her to the table full of strangers, competitors, and Julian. "Pardon my late arrival," she said sweetly, not caring whether or not the other couple at the table even knew to expect her. "Farrah had some trouble separating. I hope its alright, Jules, but I've let her nap in your bed. She always enjoyed cuddling with you on the ship and I thought your scent might help her sleep." Aside from her initial greeting to the entire table, Talia was now speaking only to Julian, having yet to acknowledge the moronic tart hanging on him.
Post by Julian Taranis Faust on Apr 25, 2020 22:37:23 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"Never again will I justify the scars because I loved the person holding the knife."
Julian stiffened the longer Nik stared at him. He was well acquainted with the Malfoy glare, but it had been a lifetime since that glare had been directed at him. It pained him to think that they had lost so much ground. It pained him to know that it was a question of "if" and not "how long", before they could get to how they used to be.
Julian broke Lyra's heart, but he also broke the trust of two damaged and extremely dangerous people. Lyra could forgive him with her heart, but his love didn't do jack shit for any of their trust.
And yet Elara seemed to be willing enough. Julian almost chuckled at the pair's exchange of glances and Sam's dominance over the situation. He understood immediately that it was for Lyra's benefit, but when he leaned in to kiss his friend's cheek he also noticed something off in her expression.
He heard her before he saw her, and stiffened just slightly. He was happy she took his advice about the staff and came out, but he was a fool to forget how hostile this evening was likely to be. He didn’t want to bring Talia into the fray - the woman had suffered enough at his hands.
All the same he turned, trying to figure out how to diffuse the situation. He half expected to see Farah bounding behind her mother, but he was not expecting the absolutely stunning woman in front of him.
It wasn't that he didn't know she was beautiful. Of course he had eyes. But he had never really seen Talia in high society clothing or fully "decked out" as it were and he was impressed by how beautiful she really was.
His eyes widened in pleasant surprise, "Wow…" he said slowly, before breaking into a grin. He leaned in to greet her and said quietly and confidently toward her, "You clean up nice." he teased, "Of course. I'm glad she was able to go down." he said referring to Farah.
He turned then, placing a hand in hers and as was polite, presenting her to his companions, "Everyone, this is Talia Ahmad." he introduced, "Talia, this is Elara Sayre and Nicholas Malfoy, both of whom you have not properly met."
His gaze then returned to Lyra and softened, as it always did. He had been grateful to her for accepting Talia and inviting her to their dinner and generally making the other woman feel comfortable. He admired that Lyra trusted him - though the idea of anything romantic between him and Talia was laughable - it was still incredibly sexy that Lyra was unaffected and confident. Then again, with the way Julian looked at her, she had every right to be confident.
Post by Lyra Ophelia Nott on Apr 25, 2020 23:03:38 GMT -8
Lyra was too busy staring dreamily at Julian, despite her best attempts at playing it cool, to notice anything off between Lara and Nik. They were always sending each other little non-verbal communiques; it was easy enough to miss if you weren’t trained to notice them. Lyra, though improving, was nowhere near as good as Julian at spotting such subtleties. She did notice, however, the strange way Julian stiffened at Talia’s voice, and whipped her head around to a sight she was not quite expecting. Of course Talia had been invited and Lyra was expecting her to look something different than how she had fresh off a long boat trip, but she wasn’t quite expecting to see the literal goddess that stood before them. She momentarily felt that resurgence of jealousy that she had felt the first time she’d met this foreign mystery woman, thinking Julian had replaced her, but the feeling lasted only a moment and she smiled. Julian introduced the table and Lyra leaned forward in her seat, meeting Julian’s gaze. “I thought it would be fun for Talia to join us for dinner. We’re certainly better company than the staff at the manor.” She gave Elara a quick glance, knowing her friend would try to keep the peace if she thought it was what Lyra wanted. “And since she’s come all the way from Egypt and doesn’t know anyone, I thought it might be fun.” Julian had told Lyra of his troubles in Jordan, though she was certain he kept some of the more gruesome details out of the retelling for her benefits, but geography had never been Lyra’s strong suit and she ignorantly thought Jordan was a city in Egypt. She couldn’t be faulted for her mistake, as the man who had promised to show her the world had left her nearly a year ago and she had understandably taken very few holidays since that time.
Post by Nicholas Evander Malfoy on Apr 29, 2020 14:11:41 GMT -8
[googlefont="La Belle Aurore"][googlefont="Old Standard TT"]
"Take me to Church I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies."
No one at the table was prepared for Talia's arrival - least of all Nik. While he was no stranger to jaw dropping beauty, he had not recognized the gorgeous creature that came towards them, and some primal drive was angered by Julian's familiar hold. Who the hell was this woman? What was she doing with Julian? And why was she doing it with him here and now of all places and time?
The spell was broken quickly and his confusion cleared as a longer assessment confirmed the words falling from Julian and Lyra's lips. This was the same woman he had passed over earlier. He found it rather comical now that he had overlooked her, considering the impossible attention she drew now, but the longer they stood the blacker Nik's mood became.
Later he would probably benefit from analyzing why her appearance affected him so much, and whether his anger was more directed at her arrival, Julian's seemingly possessive hold, or the way his own body reacted at the unexpected vision - not that he would actually practice that kind of self-awareness. Instead he turned his attention to Lyra to catch her expression and didn't miss the hesitation. At least she wasn't completely oblivious over Julian's supposed love to realize the threat that had walked up to the table.
Not that Nik thought of Talia as a threat, maybe to Lyra's goals, but not Nik's. He wasn't sure what his goals were concerning the blonde, but they didn't include the man who nearly got her killed - why did that make him the bad guy?
Nik stayed silent. Refusing to acknowledge either arrival - not quite trusting his words to be pleasant.