(no subject)

[alt_regulus]

I suppose it's to be expected that these tasks won't all go smoothly.

I gather you were less than impressed with my, ah, efficiency this week.

Should I be relieved, then, that this next doesn't ask speed? I confess (and why not? I can't hide any of it--the reluctance, inadequacy, loathing, horror--you see it all) I confess I'm not sure where to start or when I can hope to finish. But I am here. I've shifted my few things into this place. A place of my own, for however long.


I do aim to please, you know. I hope that much is clear.

Comments

Narcissa

[alt_regulus]

Did you receive my delivery? The elf said he didn't find you home, but left it where he was instructed.

Re: Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

Yes, Heddy showed me as soon as I got home. Really it's too extravagant! Where did you -- no, I'd better not ask.

I'll keep it chilled for your next visit. Don't worry, I shan't ask when that will be.

Is there anything I can send you to make your surroundings more pleasant? Unfortunately, I can do no more than any of you to rid the page of the stains.

Re: Narcissa

[alt_regulus]

I'm of the opinion that eiswein improves with age, but I'm aware not everyone agrees. I look forward to tasting it at our earliest opportunity.

And I wish I could say when that might be. Trust me that I'm working diligently to earn that furlough.

Well, if you had a doily or a decorative sofa cushion, it might lend charm. I confess this place has none of its own. Perhaps a sparkly light-catcher for my window or a tassled lampshade. What is your magazine recommending this season to brighten a dreary interior? Surely you've had a feature recently.

Perhaps I should take out a subscription.

Re: Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

A subscription? To Witch Weekly?

Not really your cup of tea, is it? Even if you're planning to entertain, dear, I can't imagine that would fetch you the sort of companionship you crave.

Doilies remind me too much of your mother. Let's avoid that, shall we?

I know if I offer to come and fit you out, I shall be rebuffed. But I have a proposal: send me the particulars of the room and I'll provide you a few suitable furnishings accents.

Re: Narcissa

[alt_regulus]

I confess, cousin, that I may have been teasing--ever so slightly. Apparently you were right when you said that my humour comes up short on the page.

Nonetheless, I'd be over the moon with anything you might send--keeping in mind, of course, that this is a very small bedsit. I don't have a stick to measure with, of course, but I'd say it's 10 ft x 15 ft at most. I should have paid more attention to the estate agent when I was given the tour.

If you're serious, I'll send Kreacher to fetch it. He always seems so desperately grateful for any instructions that are not Buckingham. I think he finds his hours of attendance there odi tedious.

Re: Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

As done mine, I see. For trust me, cousin, I'm laughing.

But I am certainly serious about making your flop more palatable. Send your elf after tea.

ORDER ONLY

[alt_mcgonagall]

I am attempting to determine the exact details of these entries, dear Order. So far all I can divine is that Regulus has been given special assignments by the Lord Protector - assignments rather out of the ordinary way - though not what they are. Nothing definite. And nothing good, I imagine.

Re: ORDER ONLY

[alt_frank]

those bastards do enough harm right out in the open.

if it's something His Royalness doesn't want anyone knowing about, it must be pretty bad.

Re: ORDER ONLY

[alt_sirius]

Did you see this (the writing's a little cramped): reluctance, inadequacy, loathing, horror

I think we can assume it's something irreparable.

It just makes me sick to think he still throws in his lot with them all!

Re: ORDER ONLY

[alt_kingsley]

I can't make head nor tail of 'em.

[alt_pansy]

If it makes you feel better, I get in trouble all the time without meaning to. Even if I'm really trying very hard.

Right now, I'll bet I'm getting into trouble because I'm not supposed to be a bother.

[alt_regulus]

Oh, no bother at all. It's a rather slow evening here. Just me and a few spiders. I suppose I'm not very good at cleaning spells.

Mother would never approve of this place, but then that makes me think it almost charming!

[alt_pansy]

I don't mind spiders really. They take care of flies, which are far more annoying.

[alt_regulus]

You're right about that.

When I was young, I used to catch flies and pull their wings off. And then feed them to this carnivorous plant Mother kept on the window ledge in her drawing room.

One day I fed it a doxy, which it choked on and died.

I remember quite keenly what happened next.

Maybe you can imagine.

[alt_pansy]

I can.

I wasn't even allowed in the drawing room when I was there. I wasn't allowed in most of the rooms, really.

You must have really good reflexes to catch flies like that. Were you a Seeker at school?

[alt_regulus]

It pains me that you don't know the answer to that question! Really? The history of my exploits is already buried in the dusts of time?

Quel dommage!

I was, indeed, Seeker for the proudest of Slytherin squads.

[alt_pansy]

Well, I haven't had the joy of polishing trophies just yet for Detention, so I haven't gotten up close to any of them yet.

I'd imagine your exploits would be quite nice once they were dusted off and given a proper polish.

I'm pants at Quidditch. I am easily distracted.

[alt_regulus]

Perhaps for your next detention you'll luck out.

Have you had detention often? I may have read about it here, but I'm easily distracted.

And there have been one or two sizeable distractions in the past year.

[alt_pansy]

Not so far this year!

And I mostly get in trouble with Mum and Lucius, really.

I'd rather get detention any day.

And it's good to know that the easily distracted can still be successful Seekers. It gives all the rest of us out there hope.

[alt_pansy]

I'd best be going, now.

I shouldn't be talking to you, and I really, really shouldn't talk to him, and if he's talking to you and I'm talking to you, that's almost as good as if we were talking to one another. At least to some people.

And it's past my bed-time.

[alt_regulus]

I was going to mention that.

That it must be past your bedtime. And about that other bloke. Don't mind him. I'll tell him to b*gger off and leave us alone.

I'd rather talk to you, really.

Ta for now, but do come back.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, so do I: I remember being the one who caught it for letting you near the thing.

[alt_regulus]

Oh. Was that you, then?

Thought it was me.

Maybe I've misremembered.

[alt_regulus]

Actually, now I think of it, maybe that's what I need to make this place seem lived in. A plant!

Pity no one's likely to come round and welcome me to the neighbourhood.

[alt_pansy]

Don't get a carnivorous plant, though! The spiders won't have anything to eat.

[alt_regulus]

A fair point.

Thank you. I might not have thought of it.

[alt_sirius]

We really are brothers, then. I had the same thought about my first flat. More of a bed-sit, really.

Perhaps I'll send you a housewarming gift.

[alt_regulus]

Did you think there was a chance we weren't? Mother will not be amused at your floating that idea about.

Should I expect it to explode?

So how are you, then?

[alt_sirius]

Oh, I'm sorry - silly me, what with Cousin Bella insisting that I'm dead and all, I forget who has disowned me and who still acknowledges my continued and inconvenient existence.

Plants don't usually explode, do they?

As for me, unlike my ersatz present, I am very much alive and ticking.

[alt_regulus]

Ah, that's very sad and all. I'm sure it's difficult to live life as you've chosen.

However. I can't go on commiserating, I'm afraid, as you're making my young friend uncomfortable. (As you'll see she says somewhere up above.)

Being seen with you is bad for her reputation, it seems. Likely it'll do mine no favours, either.

So don't take this the wrong way, brother, but

Do bugger off!

ORDER ONLY

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, nothing's changed.

Always did care too much about who he was seen with.

[alt_hydra]

Who can't you hide from, cousin Regulus?
I think whoever you are trying to please you must be doing your best.

From,
Hydra

[alt_regulus]

Thank you, small cousin Hydra.

I am trying very, very hard. Really more than I've ever tried at anything in the past.

But I think it's best we leave it at that.

How are you enjoying school? The older ones aren't giving you trouble, are they?

From,
Regulus

[alt_hydra]

Allright we can leave it at that if its best.
I enjoy it most of the time I think.
The food isn't as good as at home, but no one scolds me if I don't eat meat.
Classes are difficult but they were at home too.
The older students are very nice, and sometimes I wish I could be older like them.
It would be nice to live in a room with Sally Anne and Pansy and Daphne and Millicent too.

From,
Hydra

[alt_regulus]

Yes, well. The food. I think it's very difficult for the elves to cook so much for so many all at once. I agree. It never did taste like proper food, so I guess nothing's changed.

I will withhold comment on the topic of eating one's meat or not. We can number your mother amongst those I'd rather not annoy.

I remember wishing to be older by a year or two. Who knows how I might have turned out if I had been?

I think it must be past your bedtime, however. Isn't that true?

It was very nice talking with you, small cousin Hydra, and I hope to do again.

From,
Regulus

[alt_hydra]

I am in bed, if it makes you feel better.
But I couldn't sleep and I wanted to see if Daddy had written in his book.
He hadn't but you had.
I hope we can talk again.

From,
Hydra