voice-testing + tentative plans..?!

[preferable]

Before you start, wouldn't it be appropriate to review, first? Not to mention that you've not chosen a canon point, but you've not chosen a canon point. Either of those that you're considering is.. a bad choice, if you'll pardon my saying. In the one, I'm-- [ still in love with gellert. ] Well. And then, in the second, Ariana has just been-- [ slain. ] You see why I'm hesitant, yes?

I think I'd prefer for you to take me from after my death. Yes, I imagine you'd probably have to change my icons, but it's a small price to pay for age and clarity. And wisdom, I hope.

I really would rather not have to get to know the people who become so important to me later in my life all over again. I don't think it's quite fair to them, either.


.. Let's not talk about Gellert right now, yes? He's a complicated issue.

Comments

[sought_mastery]

Issue? Come, come Albus. I'll give you complicated but... an issue? That's hardly flattering.

[But the tilt of his head and the quirk of his lips tells another story. Oh he is amused at your dilemma. He is also a bit older than the boy you remember, dear Albus. Only a bit. 2 years can accommplish much when one is as driven as Gellert.]

[preferable]

You tend to make yourself into an issue, Gellert. My wording is, therefore, accurate, if not terribly flattering.

[ it hurts to see him, to talk to him. he knows how terribly wrong he was about him, but that doesn't mean his feelings have just gone away, either. ]

[sought_mastery]

[Oh my... he's going to have to win you over again, isn't he Albus? Ah well... he can play charming easily enough and if it means getting the closest thing he's ever had to an actual friend back he can play that part.]

Ah... I tend to, do I? [And there is the slightest measure of real hurt in it. They knew each other for a few months and now Albus is going to claim to know his tendencies? And, what's more, be so distrustful. With good reason, he supposes, but he thought he'd played this a little better, thought the redhead was a little more loyal.]

You know I didn't intend to make an issue of myself... [But there's a questioning lilt there and it's a surprising moment for Gellert to realize he actually does want Albus to know that. He cares what the other thinks of him. How very peculiar. Maybe it was for the best that he'd fled. Attachments were a thing he could not afford... not and win his war.]

[preferable]

Whether you intended to or not-- [ that awful fight, and the curse that had killed ariana.. he takes a shaky breath, rubbing the back of his hand over his brow. ] What do you really expect me to say? All is well?

[ because all is most certainly not well, and he's not certain right now that it ever will be again. he doesn't want to be at odds with gellert, not now or ever, but he also knows he can't stand with him. power does ugly things to albus, and he knows it has the potential to make him a monster. ]

[sought_mastery]

Of course not. [Yes. Did he expect it? No. But he wanted it. He wanted Albus to come with him, to stand beside him while they enacted their plans. Illogical though it was Gellert wanted the redhead with him. Maybe it was because Albus was the one person he couldn't control... Maybe it was because Albus was the one person that had ever made him feel something that was not tied inextricably to pain and fear. It was definitely a unique kind of man that could make a sociopath feel.]

If it were... you'd have come with me. [If it were... half of Europe would be under their thrall by now.]

I don't expect you to say anything. [A sigh and he shoves his fingers back through thick golden curls. Remorse in his tone, his expression, and it comes surprisingly easily. Not as much of an act as he needs it to be. Damn you Albus Dumbledore... you make him weak in ways he hates but he cannot stop himself from trying to bargain his way into your heart again.] But I thought... you might like to know what I've found.

If you really don't care I suppose that's fine but... just in case. [And with that he reaches into his waistcoat to produce a wand. Not his wand, Albus knows that well enough... but the wand.]

[morsmordre_met]

When in doubt, employ a variety of inadequate moving portraits and nonchalantly accuse polyjuice.

I expect the obvious strategy shouldn't find itself beyond the tenuous grasp of even Gryffindor ambition... no. No, beg your pardon and ever my bad. Should it? Mister... Dumbledore? Should it?

[nolessthanseven]

Gellert? Like, Gellert Grindelwald? Hey, I know him.

[abbott]

I'm sorry that you don't remember us, Professor. We certainly remember you.


What an odd position to be in, still.

[thegreatergood]

Albus....

Apparently my mun would be pleased to see you at any age.