// M RATED // Going down in flames

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena Reid was well stumbling around his small apartment he had just come home after a search that had turned up nothing in the way of his producer or was it former producer now? Thanks to his ill advised run for public office that was sure to end badly whether he won or not now.
Dunena had no way of getting out of this at all if the things he had done got out his father would be distroyed and not to mention so would he. Not that Dunena himself cared but there were other people who counted on him to be a good man but Dunena could feel his life slipping away from him. If he did do as he was told George was sure to expose him and if he did do what he was told he may become the most powerful man in American magic and would make him no better that Frump the man he got in to this to stop in the first place.
Dunena had been trying so hard to stay strong but it was all going to hell, the least he could do was put his mind so far away that he would not care at all.
He took out his wand and pointed it a the only to trinkets he left in his apartment after his clean out when he got back from the hospital in Australia they turned back in to what they were, heroin his best friend his only way out his escape. He walked over to the old cabinet in the corner dropped to his knees and pulled out his box, the small brown box had all this equipment in it. They ( the hospital staff) had told him to throw it away and he had thrown all the other kits away but had keep this and few other things just in case the straight and narrow was just a little to narrow.
Dunena walked over to the now lovely bags of heroin laid out the candle, spoon and the clean needle and lit the candle a few moments later he tried off and took his first real hit in months helmet the world floated away the feeling was so good he was released. The needle dropped to the ground and he pulled of the strap on his arm and payed back in his chair.
This was Dunena Reid, this was all he was good for, this was his life and if they were going to control him it was best that his mind was not here to see it.
He decided what he now needed was a drink, unable to summon anything as he was wasted he went to the cupboard and pulled out a very good cabinet and ripped the cork out and drank half a bottle in 15 minutes.
"This is going to be a good night" Dunena said to the empty apartment as he contemplated his next hit. He could handle more that he had taken this time and wanted to just be oblivious by morning because Dunena Reid was going down in flames.

[Fifi LaRoux]

Dominic was punishing her, Fifi was sure of it for no longer had she arrived home in Paris then he had assigned for her to go to New York on what felt like a fools errand. No matter, her heart was lighter then it had been in many months the high of a good hunt brought to it's conclusion providing a calming effect on her overactive mind. This was the best time to be Fifi LaRoux, before the boredom of being settled set in and there was yet a hope of joy in flicking though the bundles of mail that had piled up in her apartment, giving La'Fonz a long walk in the summer streets and spending some quality time with herself and herself alone before the clouds of memory and second guessing had time to move in. Instead she had been sent straight to check on that fool Reid, apparently intelligence was that a mystery man had been sighted at his campaign headquarters and by the witnesses had more then a little sway on poor Monsieur Reid's little campaign. Fifi had never cared for politics but it was one of those times where when Dominic said jump she did not even dare to ask how far.

In the case of Reid it was no matter, ever since he had joined the race for the Ministers position he had been laughably easy to trace, it took less then half a day to track him to a new apartment, not a playwizard's retreat but something more.. humble. In all aspects Fifi LaRoux was disappointed, had Dunena Reid become so boring as to truly care for his image in such a way that he would shy from excess? Even the radio broadcasts had ceased which was a shame.. she did so very much enjoy his little rants about this and that.. how amusing it all had been. The feeling of being overdressed was strong as she talked her way though security and made her way though the darkened corridors to the apartment which may or may not have contained a Mr Dunena Reid. Breaking in was easy, she had done it many times before and would have on the night the apartment burned down where it not for Frump or whoever else had been responsible for the arson beating her to it on the night. Yes her mind was sharp as a cut diamond tonight, shining and strong as she closed the door, making her way deeper into the room to come across a sight that was as much repulsive as it was delicious. Dunena Reid had snapped, oh happy days! "Oh very good Monsieur Reid!" she couldn't help giving him a short sharp applause. "Why Ai had almost come to think you had become completely boring in ones ambition to beat Mr Frump at his own game.. alas I see Ai was very wrong but do not mind moi why Ai had always known that you where but a fraud playing another mans game.. is that not true Monsieur Reid?" Nicci was going to be so pleased to find out that whoever the upstart behind Dunena Reid's campaign was, the whole thing would be going to hell in a handbasket by the time the daily news caught wind that Reid was a drunk and a addict. Even Frump knew to keep the job meant keeping his veins clean.

Fifi realised that this was the first time they had ever been alone, her strong and him vulnerable as can be with a needle freshly in the vein and a half empty bottle.. there was something alluring in all that and much as she did tease Dunena Reid was quite honestly a attractive man. Broken too, she always got off on that but heroin was so passe. Still if Dunena was going to burn what good would it be without a audience and Fifi was quite happy to sit and watch the entire train wreck go ahead. Nicci hadn't given her any instructions beyond finding what had happened after Dunena Reid's producer had left and so she was quite free to enjoy a bit of gloating, hadn't she given him good advice back in the day to keep his head down? Oh but Monsieur Reid was too smart for that, now what a wonderful mess he had made. Fifi was delighted, by next year he would be just another washed up has been but Frump would never have the popularity to hold himself over the French Ministry again.. and nor would Reid after tonight. Politics, Fifi hated it but boy did it create some fun games. Fifi only regretted that she hadn't brought any champagne to properly enjoy the moment.

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena was sure he had heard someone come in but then again he was smashed but then he heared her the crazy bint she was in his living room.
Dunena gave a sad tic laugh off all the people to be around when he Dunena Reid was self detracting " it would have to be You " Dunena mumbled as he turned to face the voice 
" hello my lady, welcome to my home,  I would invite you in but you've all ready in so... " Dunena  was sure that made cents didn't it.
Dunena was well would be Enraged at her smugness but he really had no engery to yell at her or any one it was his fault that his life was in the trash heap had started to run for MOM and now he was being blackmailed by his champaign manager, feared  that his family would be destroyed  and once his past was out Emma would leave him Dunena knew she would. 
Dunena pulled himself up and walked over to his stereo and pushed play on it. 
" ban ban Dan Dan" Dunena started air guitar as he danced around his apparent and crazy bint and walked over to a cabainet reached in to the back and pulled out a champagne bottle.
" come chelbrate then of all that, I am all that was and all that, i ever was going to be,  for I am a dead man well politically speck or at least I should be soon enough" Dunena opened the bottle and grabbed to champagne glasses and placed them on his coffee table pored them a drink each and fell back to carpet floor. 
" my life is a dream or was a dream I didn't need to to run for the office but I did it anyway why it must have been the straight and narrow, Merlin I missed just being the rich froulos son that had no worries" dunena was rambling about life his life and all that it was.   

[Fifi LaRoux]

"Why of course Monsieur Reid.. when you had scared off that little 'Producer Man' and I hear that lovely little reporter you had your eye on is already smitten.. well that's all old news but you have done well to keep the blond one from the papers... from the truth too no doubt.. tell me Monsieur Reid did you ever think you could fool her into thinking you where ordinary?" Fifi despite her get up was not too well bred but she had class enough to hold the urge to snort at such a ridiculous situation. Her heels clicked as she made her way across the room, her eyes taking in everything from the unconcealed drug paraphernalia to the cut of Dunena Reid's clothes. She was a professional, abet one who's passion often had her court disaster. "Ai do have to say I did prefer your old apartment this one is lacking that certain je ne se qua.. and I see your lama friends are no more.." it had certainly been a shock the first time she had broken into Dunena Reid's apartment to find a pair of Llama's walking around like they owned the place. Fifi had found such a insight into the personality of Dunena Reid to be refreshing, everybody had their own little perversions and if sleeping with camelidae was Dunena Reid's little black secret why so much the better.

Had she been in less stable a mood Fifi might have thought that Dunena Reid might well attempt to murder her for seeing him in such a state, but maybe it was the shared secret of addicts that where she expected fury there was just nothingness.. blandness..

or at least until Dunena went to touch some strange metal device and the most awful music filled the air. "Merde! What kind of an outrageous racket is this?!" Fifi shouted, struggling to be heard over the din of the sterio, she did not at all approve of American music, magical or otherwise she thought that it was all complete well..shit, which was quite apt considering her exclamation. Watching Dunena dance around she had to wonder how it had come that such a inappropriate man would be so close to the most powerful position in all of America and how little it seemed he cared. While Fifi had long held a dislike for Dunena from the moment she was first assigned to investigate him she couldn't help but feel her disdain turn to something close to a cold anger at seeing him so aloof to the responsibilities he had to the hearts and minds of so many. Fifi LaRoux was no stranger to powerful men, hell they where in a way her specialty. One thing she had found was they all took it seriously and here Dunena Reid was, dancing and being proud to have cheated his way into being a stones throw from the highest magical office in the land.

There was much to think about, but at the offer of a drink Fifi first eyed the bottle to check that it was a familiar expensive shape and pointed to the general area of which Dunena had made the music come from "First turn off that noise and then we will drink" she of course would have changed the music to something more suitable but she was loth to admit that such modern technology got the best of her, she had a perfectly good gramophone at home and that was good enough for all her needs on the rare occasion when she felt a passing fancy for music. Mostly it was the sound of her own thoughts and the city around her that Fifi found a fitting soundtrack to her days. Stepping over the drunken man Fifi took a glass, smelling it first out of habit to catch the finer notes of anything that might not be so enjoyable. It was foolish to trust a man but Dominic knew where she would be, one had to take what bits of enjoyment that where given in life. "Tu es completement débile Dunena Reid" the honorific dropped as she looked at him in disgust. Oh yes she might have been a pretty thing but it had been far too long since she had been able to dream without worries, her life had been a effort to better herself from the small streets of Paris where her family where respected yes, but hard working all the same. "You have head that is so large it blocks out the sun but still you wished to outdo Mr Frump, so much it pays to be someone and yet here you are larger then life it does seem" She took a sip, slowly tasting the champagne.. it was a barely suitable vintage but one could not always have the luxury to be picky. "You wished to play politics.. well Ai have known many far better and greater then you and all do say that it is a most lonely game.. one does not become Minister for Magic to have fun or impress.. one does so because they know in their heart that this fils de salope will do everything it takes to get to the top" Fifi didn't know if she was giving Dunena a pep-talk or a lecture to get out of the race, which of the two would Dominic most want? Fifi was unsure what the long game was.. would it frustrate him to undermine him in encouraging Dunena Reid to stay in the race? Or would it be that all along he would wish her to quietly take the troublesome candidate out all together?

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena heard the bint talk about Bjay and Emma.
" yes my lovely Emma, so so lovely I was never good enough" Dunena took a large drink of the champagne. " ah yes the apartment is missing bill and Ted ( the Llamas ) they always make a place feel like home and they have impeccable taste, alas this is all me I afraid" Dunena waved his hands at the rather bland decor.
The woman complained about the music as he danced so he turned it off.
"Better?" Dunena asked.
" I never wanted to beat Frump I meant to get others to do that but no one was fighting him. I just wanted to make the ministry a place of honor and integrity again, that why cleaned up, Frump was bringing down us all magic not a commodity to be sold, being a wizard or a witch for that matter, is a matter of pride, a great gift and he was responsible for making sure that that gift is not miss used but instead he was lining his pockets and sleeping his way a round" Dunena was speaking his mind from his heart but as always Dunena mind wondered of track and he fell in to prepared speech for a campaign rally and contained
"that not what we need we needed a leader but instead we got him and no one was fighting him just getting there share and I just wanted to stop it some how, it seamed like a good idea at the time but now George is going to just destroy everything make me no better than Frump so here I am drinking and using again waiting for the hammer to drop. Because win or lose someone's going down, my family or my dreams for a better world and the wizarding world is just a pawn in a game between Frump and George we are just pieces to be moved and destroyed at there will, it all about power who's got it and who wants it, they have it, we want it back" Dunena looked at The Woman not sure what had happen he was a little lost but never the less he contained on after she swar at him in French
"Hey having big ego comes with the pure blood thing, so I'm told and impressing people was not the plan I just wanted to inspire people to stand up to Frump and then it got out of hand really, I hate what's happened. " Dunena was so lost he simple took another long drink of the wine he had opened earlier.

[Fifi LaRoux]

"That woman did not even know how to groom herself.." Fifi couldn't help a involuntary shudder at recollection of the photos Dominic had shown at her briefing, when it came to the llama's Fifi was being as polite as possible considering her and 'Ted' had not exactly seen eye to eye. Dunena Reid might well have been a dangerous idiot but at least there was some excitement in the spontaneity that came from hisactions, one moment talking and offering her champagne and the next dancing around like a fool to some horrible American noise. "Better would be for the creators of that to be struck down by cancerous boils so that they might never make such merde again". Fifi paused abruptly from her ranting but went on to admit that "suitable, would be a more apt description".Just what had she gotten herself into? One moment Fifi was calling Dunena Reid some of the nastiest things she could think of and yet here he was speaking to her as if she did care to listen. "Again? Never has your gracious ministry ever been a place of honor.. how dare you speak of pride when you greedy Americans did sit and do nothing when he-who-shall-not-be-named came to power. Frump is nothing, just some stupid fat pig-dog no worse or better then you deserve". Placing her
glass on the coffee table Fifi slipped her hand into one of the folds in her dress to emerge with a silver cigarette case and lighter, she never thought to ask if it was okay to smoke but lit up never the less as she thought over the prepared words trying to decide if she would rather watch Dunena Reid burn or give him the heel in the backside that he was so sorely in need of.

"Save the bullshit for your beloved listeners.. well not that you have any now that your little P.R-friendly pet is no longer there to hold your hand" she couldn't help the dig as she held her hand up to ward off the rubbish Dunena Reid was speaking. "You truly do think doing a few hits of that will be enough to get you out of this? Nobody cares that you are stoned or a idiot, where it that you came out as a Death Eater or had a Muggle bride it would be possible to be hated more then you are but Americans are like big dumb cows they just take what is fed to them and there is nothing you can do about that..." Fifi had some doubts if Dunena Reid was playing her in
being so thick as to think the Wizarding World was that simple. A small curl of her lip spoke of the thought that maybe this was the opportunity Nicci had been after all along as she finished her wine, placing the empty glass on the coffee table before slipping off her cloak. "Of course there is one perfectly obvious solution to all your problems that would avoid making a embarrassment of yourself in front of the entire Wizarding World. After all tolerant as you may be to that little blonds inability to chose a appropriate dress even the most dim of women would have second thoughts about falling in love with someone so deliciously broken like yourself". Fifi allowed a slip of a bare shoulder to test the waters so to speak. Fifi had always found herself attracted to centers of power, Dunena Reid was one that did interest her for the riddle of what was Dunena Reid the man, and what came from the ones around him. Was he truly a force to be reckoned with or just a sock blowing in the breeze of much greater forces?

"It's not the size of your ego that a woman needs to be impressed by" Fifi had after all never been one to sugar coat her thoughts, "So seeing a harmless Muggle and myself taken into custody by New York's finest was not your little plan.. I had hardly noticed"he was lucky she didn't just slap him silly for his ignorance. Yet had the international incident caused by the rally helped or hampered their plans? Fifi didn't know it was like a tapestry so fine that one could no longer discern the original threads of cause and effect. "You speak big as if your problems are so insurmountable, typical American you ignore the most elegant, simple solution"going for another drink Fifi's mind worked on the complex political issues while her body was content to slip off it's heels and play the age old game to tease for all it was worth. "This George you speak of is a problem yes, win and you know it will be him choosing the direction of your Ministry for the next four years.. if you live to see it out of course" A puff of smoke and she continued "..yet you do not think, if someone does have to go down why not make it someone else.. someone who certain foreign agencies suspect to be behind the very trouble that you do wish to apologise so much for.. Ai admit that there would be some personal satisfaction to see you pay for the blind accusations you did make about my person yet in the interest of fair justice in the spirit of international co-operation I'm sure you would have our full support" Fifi was playing with a loaded dice, Dunena Reid had already given them the first name of the individual responsible, Fifi was sure it would not take long for their people to track him down though the allied Ministries of England and France. Regardless of what Dunena did she had the information Nicci had been seeking, now the fun could really begin!

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena was really unhappy about her comments re Emma's dress cents but then she pushed on about the makers of the music Dunena Had been playing. then the conversation turned to the ministry.
"I wanted to put the honour back, and as for the dark wizard that was an internal political problem and it was not the place of the american ministry to impose our views on there people" Dunena spouted the line he had been given years ago when he work for MOM in the NYC Offices.on some level Dunena had agreed but then if the dark wizard had won then we would have to stop him invading the MOM in USA.
"Do you really think that this won't make the Public not elect me, I mean who wants a drug affected leader. I guess it all in the spin and george is a spin king" Dunena was suddenly aware that she was right he was not getting out of this a easily as he would like too.
"I know I will lose Emma if she were ever to find out about this" Dunena jested to the box which contained all the drug equipment. Her comment about him being 'deliciously broken' Dunena was not sure but she may have been flirting with him Dunena could not help but be draw to her now bear shoulder.
"It was not the plan I trusted the source of the Photos and ... I am sorry I just wanted to inspire change" Dunena was so sure his problem with George were beyond his control.
she was slipping of her shoes Dunena was some what distracted from what she was saying as he looked her up and down.
God she was a sexy woman
Dunena decided to get a better look and took a seat next to her on his sofa.
"yes direction, one the reason i need to get out of this" Dunena listen as she continued focusing on her elegant red lips as she spoke.
"I'm all for international corporation but Mr George McQueen has quite a lot of my history and not that I worried about my self but my father would well..." Dunena decided he would test the water back to make sure he was reading her advices correctly He lean for ward and placed a searing kiss on her beautiful red lips.

[Fifi LaRoux]

"Honor is not leaving your friends and allies to whither and die while you cling to the spot light with hollow promises" Fifi stood by her honor which was made far easier for the fact that she counted herself to have only a single friend worthy of her sacrifice. "You are popular yes, but honor? Ha!" she couldn't help but scoff, breeding and money Dunena Reid might have had but it was clear he thought everything else could be made up for by the former. Fifi didn't know if he was naive or stupid, either where just as much a punishable offense in her regard and certainly she wasn't about to lay aside the rod. Ignoring the sickening rot that came in the line of prepared speech Fifi for a moment longed for the assortment of devices hidden away in Dominic's office, if only a stout whip could take the stupidity from Dunena Reid's mouth as quickly as it could the skin of his back. The thought brought a moment of pleasure in contemplation, Dunena Reid was after all not a entirely unattractive man and where she a bit drunker she might well have considered taking his assortment of insults towards her name out of his hide..quite literally.

"You are a Wizard Monsieur Reid, do you not think there would not be someone willing to put their hand up to claim they had stupefied you?" Fifi had seen the trick played enough times before, Death Eaters going under oath begging that they had been put under a curse and forced to take pleasure in the murder and torture of innocent people. The thought of it all made Fifi sick and yet just as her mind was repulsed her body played it's own game, so long she had toyed with him and now right here he was with nobody to witness and nobody to blame but Dominic for putting her into this position in the first place. Her skills where bringing rich rewards.. the name of the mystery woman would no doubt be quite valuable to certain people and the fact that here was a perfect crutch to destroy Dunena Reid was worthy of it's own little celebration. Men where simple creatures, so simple that Fifi just shook her head at Dunena Reid as he tried to apologise for the photos "Only a fool trusts, and only a complete connard trusts blindly, to be an inspiration takes more then to buy your way.. one has to start at the bottom.." a fine view she was giving too as she bent to adjust her stockings.

The performance was everything, Fifi was confident enough in this lighting knowing that Dunena Reid was most certainly drunk and drug addled enough to not ask questions, positioning herself on the sofa she spoke politics while poised on the knifes edge able to go in either direction focused as she was on this George character she was surprised when Dunena Reid did not come forth with his usual string of slop-bucket politics but instead forced himself into her space, the unexpected turn as he kissed her brought all her self-preservation to the fore as she rudely shoved at him "Casse-toi! Save it for your precious Emma!" she was breathing heavily, aware and alive in the danger of the moment as her mind played catch up to the game of chicken she had somehow managed to lose. It wasn't often that anyone bested Fifi LaRoux and she certainly had not expected to be kissed by Dunena Reid unless she had decided upon it first! Matters where made more complicated by the fact that it hadn't been a wholly unpleasant kiss, Fifi sighed, her time abroad had been rather lacking in that department and she certainly wasn't going to crawl back to Nicci.... though it hadn't stopped her before. "Ai am not some common putain.. get up and go find your little Emma or stay and Ai promise that every insult you did give to moi Ai will make you work for your forgiveness" sliding her hand across her chest she reached into the hidden pocket of her gown to pull out what was at first her wand but quickly the dark wood transfigured itself into a stout whip suitable for a troublesome horse.. but just as useful no doubt for a man who needed to be brought back down to earth.

[Dunena Reid]

Dunena was enjoying the powerful kiss he was giving the French woman on his sofa but she shoved him back she told him to save it for Emma But Dunena knew that he was not good enough for Emma.
"I don't deserve her" Dunena mumbled so soft that he was sure she did not hear him. she then continued on about him going to find her but then she took out her wand and then she had a whip Dunena was not sure where that come from then she offered forgiveness.
Emma would leave him once she found out he had drug problems and such and well was just not a upstanding person he seamed to, be thinking of up standing he was definitely turned on. Dunena was in a strange way turned on by this woman and her whip standing over him and combined with the Hot kiss of only moments ago.
"Really Because i've been a very bad man and said some terrible things about you do you think you can forgive that with that" Dunena pointed at the whip. "and once i'm forgiven and i apologise will there be a reward" Dunena winked at Fifi as he said that knowing no matter what way this day started out like it was going to end on a very happy note with a lovely woman in his bed with all her toys.

[Fifi LaRoux]

"Clearly.." was all Fifi said as she just caught Dunena Reid's murmurings about his little fancy. If Fifi was anything it was possessive as she offered him a choice, one choice only to leave and keep what little of his dignity remained. Slapping the riding crop against her thigh lightly to test it's effect she was satisfied that the transfiguration was solid.. one did not want to waste one's effort on something that was only half substantial after all! Fifi thought back to Nicci, the fear and confusion the first time he had set to teach her that little trick of mixing pleasure with something more. It was just a pity that for all the work breeding had done to give Dunena Reid a well formed body none had managed to deal with that little problem of his mouth which continued to talk as if there was a discussion to be had. Fifi ignored the beginning of his words as crude as she poured herself some wine.. swiftly drinking it in one hit so that she didn't have to think about what was to come.

"This is not for forgiveness.." Fifi spoke at last as she put her glass aside and lowered the blinds of the penthouse in order to 'get to business' expertly she brought the whip down a solid 'twack' puncturing the words "..this is for my own pleasure and nothing more.. forgivness comes later my dear.. much.. much later and only then.." she looked him up and down, there was no way that she could loom over him for she had always been on the 'petite' scale yet never had it mattered when she was the one holding the whip. "Maybe Ai will reward you, maybe Ai shall carve moi name into you're rear so you're little blond and all the others will know just who Monsieur Reid truly belongs to." Fifi rather liked the idea, call it karmic justice for all the times he had called her 'The Woman' that none would ever be confused as to exactly who Dunena Reid would mean. Nicci liked so many of the truly powerful liked her to be in control and so it was a act that had become second nature to bully and dominate the willing flesh who had been so lucky to fall into her grasp. It was only for the fact that Fifi had not been told otherwise that Dunena Reid would survive the night of passion. Though as Fifi rose from the bed, the room like the rest of the apartment a mess of discarded clothes, bottles and other more unmentionable things that where better to remain under the cloak of darkness the pressure of the night before exploding in her mind as a million stars made their hangover felt, slowly she tiptoed her way though the wreckage, slipping her disillusioned cloak about her before sneaking out the door. Fifi was a woman of the night, she never did mornings and she never, ever, slept in. 'Never let them catch you with you're eyes closed' that was the first rule and Fifi stood by it even as she half-froze in the chilled air of winter, she couldn't get back to France fast enough. Sickened by the sudden pull of the port key she managed to lurch home locking herself in, Nicci could wait she wasn't making calls today. Not when all she wanted to do was purge herself of everything to do with Dunena Reid, to be clean and whole again even though she knew it was impossible. She was a broken thing and that was never going to change no matter how hard she tried. The thought brought with it a sinking feeling as she remembered the offer she had made to Marty.. she couldn't see him now, not like this and maybe not ever? Sick and disgusted at herself she ignored the panicking sounds of Alvin her house elf and locked herself in the water closet waiting for the pain in her head to go away even as she knew the pain in her heart never would. She should have marched Dunena Reid all the way to that blond haired girl and forced him to apologize. Instead she'd used him for her own pleasure and for what? Fifi sighed at the prospect of yet another failed mission... she was losing her touch.

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