[Mason] when you play with fire, you get burned

[Marcus Doom]

He hadn't been sure what to make of the news at first. Of course, he didn't doubt Jacoby was telling the truth for a second. Jacoby hadn't lied to him yet, he wasn't sure why he would start. Marcus had always been aware that there were... others, but his father spared him most of the details. The man had only given a handful of names, and this Mason hadn't been among them. Perhaps there had been a reason for Marcus Sr's attempts to hide Mason from his son. Marcus couldn't deny that he was curious as to what that reason might have been. That was a large part of the reason he had decided to track Mason down and contact him. Jacoby had heard of the other through Jonathan, and had wasted no time passing the word on. He'd been curious, after all.

Such curiosity wasn't the only reason Marcus wanted to find the boy, however. There was far more to it than that. Jacoby had been testing his patience rather well for a while, and Lloyd had already tested it long ago. He had no children and likely never would. He wondered if, maybe, Mason would make a better heir than either of his other brothers would. He had Doom blood, he was young, and Marcus could even get past him being a Hufflepuff if he seemed a fit. Maybe a bit of it was out of spite, too. To drive that familiar wedge between Jonathan and Mason without Mason being any the wiser of his intentions - the way he often did, because weren't people (including himself, he supposed?) just part of a larger game? Expendable, the lot of them.

It was with all those intentions in mind that he had sent out an owl that morning, requesting Mason meet him at the family corporation's building. He was polite as possible, and tried with some effort to appear friendly and welcoming through the words. Tacking the address on and a time, he had sent the owl on its way. The time was drawing near, and all that was left to do was wait. He'd likely make his decision before the day was done.

OOC: Hehe, couldn't resist the title.

[Mason Doom]

Mason had known of his brother named Marcus. Had heard such horrible things about the other. Which was why Mason had been putting off searching for the man. He wanted to talk to him but he was terrified. When he received the owl he was shock to see Marcus seek him out. Now Mason was standing in the mirror of Sheldon's bathroom, adjusting his white bow tie to his nice bottom up blue shirt. After all he was meeting a business man so he figured he should dress to impress.

Mason left then, giving Sheldon a good luck kiss before he took floo powder o a near but shop of the corporation. He walked in quickly to the front and ask to see Marcus Doom to the lady at the desk, explaining he had a meeting with the other. He was then taken to Marcus's office, were he took a deep breath before knocking.

[Marcus Doom]

Marcus checked his watch. He'd told Mason to be there in just a minute. Timing was everything to the man. A large part of his decision would be based on whether Mason showed up on time or not. As superficial as it would have seemed to anyone else, it was important to him. For those superficial things were the important things to him. He glanced toward the door, expecting there to be a knock any moment. Then, there was. He didn't even have to see Mason to know it was him. After all, he wasn't expecting anyone else that day. All his business associates had visited the day before, and all his employees would know not to bother him unless they were asked to.

He smiled to himself, wondering just what this Mason was like. He was determined to find out. And then he'd make his decision. He silently hoped he'd be easy to work. Easier than Jacoby, in any case. Jacoby was a bullheaded man. Too set in his ways to shift. Easy enough to manipulate, but not easy enough to deceive. "Come in," he instructed, eyes drifting to the door as he waited, "The door is open," He couldn't deny that he was slightly... excited. But not for the same reasons Mason probably was. No, for different reasons entirely. But Mason wouldn't know that, not if he could help it.

[Mason Doom]

Mason's nervous were getting the best of him. He hear the voice. That was him, he thought to himself. That was his brother. Slowly, Mason turned the door and walked in. He took in everything, from the colors of the walls to the man sitting in the chair behind the desk. Mason had never seen his father but he could pick out some features on the man that he saw were similar to his own. There was differently some genes the same between them.

Mason put on a small smile. "Marcus Doom." He said excitingly. "It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Mason Doom." He said outstreachig his hand to the other.

[Marcus Doom]

The door opened and Marcus' eyes were instantly on Mason. He searched for the signs that he was, indeed, a Doom. The same way he'd searched for them in Jacoby. He felt certain he'd found some. The hair, the eyes, something about the structure of his face. He had no doubt in his mind that Mason was a Doom. He was sure he caught a resemblance to their father. Though, he couldn't place it. After a moment, he stood, accepting Mason's hand when he offered it. That pleased him in a way. He seemed to understand manners at the very least. Which was important in the Doom's line of work. And well, if Marcus considered him for an heir, it would be important. Manners were something Jacoby lacked in.

"It's nice to finally meet you, too," he replied, putting on his best fake smile. To many, it would have been hard to read through it. He hoped that was the case for Mason. Though, if he was nervous about Mason seeing through him, it did not show. "I cannot say I have heard much about you, though. It was my brother who helped me find you," he admitted. No point lying about that. Besides, wouldn't it make him look better if it seemed he'd tried his hardest to track him down? He thought it would. "You can sit down if you want," he added, gesturing to the chair across from him. And then because he thought it would be what most people would say added, "Have you met any of the others yet?"

[Mason Doom]

Mason was happy that Marcus had accepted his hand shake. That was a good sign right? Mason nodded "thank you." He said before sitting in one of the chairs in front of Marcus's desk. Mason nodded when Marcus said his brother had helped him find Mason. He wondered which one that had been. He doubted it had been Jon. Jon would have told him. Besides Jon and Marcus, as far as Mason could tell didnt get along very well, "which brother was that?" Mason asked with a small chuckle "I'm finding out that there's lot of us."

At Marcus's question Mason nodded, "only one. He was the easiest to find when I started looking for my family back in Germany. Plus Jonathan is my head of house now so it wasnt to hard to get in contact with him. Other than that no. Though I know of a Jacoby who works for the mknsrty is a half brother, like me."

[Marcus Doom]

He thanked him before sitting in one of the chairs. Another good sign in Marcus' eyes. For first appearances were everything to him. He nodded in response, sitting down again himself across from Mason. Marcus gave another faux smile at Mason's question. He had suspected he'd have to answer it, but hadn't been quite sure whether a truth or a lie would suffice. After all, Marcus lied over the smallest things. Things that seemed so unimportant to others, himself included more often than not. "Lloyd might have mentioned hearing about you in passing," he lied, eyes not leaving Mason, "I think he heard it from Jacoby, who most likely heard it from Jon," He gave a forced chuckle at Mason's words. "There certainly are a lot of us. Perhaps more than either of us are even aware of."

Marcus nodded, listening to Mason's every word. "So, you've only met Jonathan then?" he asked. Jacoby hadn't mentioned who Mason had met, he often left out such details. Jacoby hadn't even mentioned whether he himself had met Mason or not. "I haven't seen him in a long time. How has he been?" he asked, finding that feigning interest was as easy as he'd always remembered it had been. He nodded at the mention of Jacoby, "He's an auror. I can help you meet him and Lloyd, too. If you wish."

[Mason Doom]

Mason nodded believing Marcus. "I've never met Lloyd. He works here though too, right?" He asked curiously. Mason couldn't help but chuckle with Marcus "I guess your right about that. Though I'm sure in the end of the chain due to my age." He said with a small smirk.

"Jon's well. Just doing the same old stuff." Mason said with a smile. "Like I said before he was the easiest to track down. Though its strange to be put in his house. After all i was expecting to be in Slytherin when I transferred due to my drumstrang background." He said with a shrug as he realized he was staring to go into a nervous ramble. "I would like that, if you had the time." Mason said with a nod.

[Marcus Doom]

Mason admitted to having not met Lloyd. It came as no surprise to Marcus. Lloyd wasn't exactly the most social of his brothers. He definitely couldn't see Lloyd going out of his way to meet Mason. "You should eventually," he said with genuine confidence. After all, Lloyd couldn't hide forever, could he? Not that Marcus knew for certain he was hiding, but that didn't stop him from making assumptions. "He does," Marcus answered, "His office is actually only a few doors down from mine. I don't think he's in today, though," He actually wasn't sure whether Lloyd was or wasn't at that moment, but once again, lies slipped right out of his mouth without him even giving them much thought. "I think you would be the youngest," he agreed, "Though, it's hard to say. Our father was quite... busy," he added with a light chuckle.

"Glad to hear that he is," he lied. Of course, he wasn't, but he figured it wouldn't hurt to pretend. He was sure that Jonathan had already mentioned him to Mason. He'd probably filled Mason's head with all kinds of things. Granted, most of them were probably true, but that didn't mean Marcus wanted Mason to think they were. "Well, since he teaches at Hogwarts, I'm sure you met him almost as soon as you arrived, right?" he said, "Maybe the hat was wrong," he joked. Of course, he knew the hat never was. "So, you went to Durmstrang?" he asked, genuine curiosity in his voice this time. "I can always make time," he said, "Just let me know which one you would like to meet first."

OOC: Almoooossst got his muse back. This thread is definitely helping. xD

[Mason Doom]

"That's ok. I think meeting one person at a time would be better anyways." Mason said truthfully. He didnt want to become to overwhelmed with meeting everyone. Though he could hardly wait to meet Lloyd. He wanted to know everything about his family. The good and the bad. It just proved to him that he had a real family.

Mason laughed lightly "maybe. I've been told the hat has never sorted wrongly though. Maybe he saw something in me." He said with a shrug "I think my mom would have bee a hufferpuff if she had gone." Mason folded his hands in his lap as he became more conferrable with the settings of the office and of his brother. "Ya drumstrang in Germany. They specialize in the dark arts." Mason nodded "ill let you know when I'm ready." He said with a light chuckle.

[Marcus Doom]

"I would think so, too," he said, another fake smile plastered on his face as he spoke the words. Faking sincerity had grown increasingly easier each year of his life. He just hoped that he was doing better than ever at that moment. Then again, he always hoped he was doing better. "It seems that it would be... overwhelming to meet the entire family in one sitting. The last thing I want us to do is scare you away," he said with a chuckle.

"That's what I've heard, as well," he admitted, "Maybe Slytherin would have been its second choice for you," he looked up at the mention of Mason's mother, genuine curiosity seeping through once again, "She didn't go to Hogwarts, either?" Mason's hands were folded in his lap. Marcus hoped that was a sign of him getting comfortable. It seemed as though he was, in any case. Which was exactly what Marcus wanted. "So I've heard," he said about Durmstrang, "I almost sent Lloyd there, but had some trouble with registration," He offered Mason another smile, that same practiced one he often used, "You do that. Take all the time you need. I'm sure you don't know much about our family..." he said taking a brief pause before asking, "Is there anything you want to know?" He wondered if asking would help bring what Jonathan had already told him to light. It was hard to tell, though, as he was still trying to figure Mason out. Regardless, the other had made a decent enough first impression. Time would tell if it would remain that way.

[Mason Doom]

"That's good to hear." He said with another grin. "Especially coming from the head of the family." Mason had known that. Marcus was the "dad," of the family. The one who chose who belonged and who didnt. Which scared Mason because Marcus could throw him out at any moment, tell him to never show his face. He would be removed like his father had wanted.

"No." Mason said with a chuckle. "My mother was born and raised on Germany. She went to drumstrang as well. That's probably why I was left there." He said referring to the orphanage. "Drumstrang is a hard school to get into. I was lucky. My mom went there so they let me in without much thought to it."

Mason had his chance. "Actually there is...something. It's the reason why I started to seek out my family." He took a deep breath before leaning forward. "It's also why I wanted to talk to you." This was it. His one chance. "I was never graced with the chance to meet my mother or father. But I know that my father kept a box, with what was left of my moms things. It's not very big and I would image well hidden since he kept me a secret. I was hoping maybe you knew were it was or might be." He said taking a breath. "I just want something to have to remember her and my father by. Supposedly there's baby pictures of me in the box as well." Mason shifted his weight in his seat. "And I figured that that would be something you wouldn't want, since it wasnt your mother."

[Marcus Doom]

Referring to Marcus as the head of the family pleased him in some ways. It certainly helped him toward his decision. Stroked his ego, in a way. Which wasn't that hard to do. Arrogance was a well known trait for the man. And there was some truth in Mason's line of thought, too. Marcus would have no problem turning Mason away, too, should he find reason to do so. And hell, he didn't even need reason to do so. He might decide to on a whim, without warning or logical reason. The way he had for so many of the people in his life. "I'm glad that it is," he replied, matching Mason's grin.

"If you don't mind my asking," he began, curiosity still getting the better of him for a brief moment. He liked knowing as much as he could, he couldn't deny that. The more information he had on another person, the better. Even if it did seem useless information in the long run, "and if it is too personal, you don't have to answer. But do you know how they met? Our father and your mother, I mean," He nodded in understanding. Durmstrang was definitely difficult to get into it. He'd had a chance, but his parents gave a firm no. Lloyd was much tougher to attempt, and ended up being a failure in the end, anyway. "I'm not sure I would have left had I attended," he admitted, "Though, I cannot blame you. After all, you did come here to find us. That seems to be a good enough reason to leave."

He tried not to think about his responses. He'd learned in the past that the longer he thought, the more likely it was someone would see through his facade, would call him out on his lie, his bluff. Mason hadn't yet. Perhaps he'd be a suitable heir. Hopefully, because Marcus was running out of options as far as he was concerned. Then, Mason spoke. "I'm listening," he replied, waiting for Mason to ask whatever it was that was on his mind. "Either of them?" he asked, feigning sympathy. To anyone who didn't know him well, it would have been easy to believe he did empathize with his brother. "I think I might know where it is, actually," he said, "My - our - father held onto such things from past affairs. They would still be well hidden in his office. I've come across many boxes while moving things around in there, perhaps it's one of them? You're free to look through them. You're right in thinking I wouldn't want it. I would say you have more of a right to it than I do."

OOC: Hehehehe Opportunity to go to the Doom home >> OH MASON WHAT ARE YOU GETTING YOURSELF INTO

[Mason Doom]

At Marcus's question, Mason shock his head. "I don't know the answer to that. I wish I did. I actually don't know much about my parents. I didnt know them for that long. Can't remember them to this day." He said sadly. "All I know is that my mother tricked our father into giving me the Doom last name. He hated that. She died a few says after I was born and I was given to him. But he gave me up, afraid that he would ruin his marriage if I was found. He left me on the doorsteps of the orphanage with a blanket, and my birth certificate." Mason explained.

"Well, drumstrang was no longer a welcoming home to me after last year." He said with a shrug. "The students and staff there hate anything other than normal perfection. Even the smallest imperfection can make them turn on you,"

Mason was shocked when Marcus said he knew were it would be hidden and had agreed that mason could look for it. "Really?" He asked in shock and disbelief. He was telling himself not to cry. He knew he would cry when he got home to Sheldon. "Thank you." He said finally. "Even if its not there, knowing that I tried to find it means more to me than anything." He said with a smile.

[Marcus Doom]

"I'm sorry," he said, feigning sincerity the way only someone who'd had years of practice faking such an emotion could. "I can't imagine what that's like. Well, you have family now. And I trust Jonathan has already been rather welcoming?" he said, that same fake smile on his face again. "That sounds like our father," he said. Which was actually the truth that time. That definitely sounded like something the man would do. He had never thought his father would be the kind to take a life, but he also supposed that accidents happened.

"Why did they turn on you?" he asked. He knew what Mason meant, about Durmstrang clinging to perfection. They were very picky about the kind of wizard they let in their doors, and putting it that way was putting it lightly. He watched Mason as he reacted to Marcus' words, trying to figure out what emotion he was currently experiencing. It was hard to tell. Marcus had grown exceptionally well at faking emotions, that did not mean he understood them. Far from it, actually. He tried his best, though, so he would know how anyone else would react. "Of course," he replied, "You do not have to thank me," he added, "If it is there, it's yours. You can search whenever you'd like. Just say the word."