alt_regulus: (Contrast)
Regulus Black ([personal profile] alt_regulus) wrote2009-10-04 06:51 pm
Entry tags:

(no subject)

So, what am I to do?

I would far rather be chasing here and there with no time to think of anything beyond your deadline, than sitting here with so little to do but think.

You laugh.

So what have I done? Well, let's see. Today.

Bought The Prophet, milk, tea, biscuits, two potatoes, bread, and a cauliflower. Oh, yes, and butter. 1 galleon. Change.

Returned with parcels. Made tea.

Took tea and Prophet, sat out on steps. Read. Front page: MLE arrest Devonshire grandmother of thirty-seven as smuggling mastermind (cousin mentioned and brother). Wynne-Masters family move into lovely, refurbished New London home; more pictures, page three. St Mungo's report rise in birthrate over past six months (see feature article, Family Fortunes section, within). Within: Commerce (triumphs and trials, various articles).

Rain commenced. Retreated inside. More tea.

Moved stool by window. Watched. Nothing of note.

Continued paper. Keeping the Peace (public house curfews reaffirmed; calm in the camps continues; murder, mayhem investigated in several localities); Family Fortunes ('One Family's Gratitude for Repopulation Rewards Programme'); Social Whirl (parties, weddings, engagements, births, obituaries); Hearth and Home (recipes; housekeeping tips); My Prophet (classified adverts, astrologer's advice). Back page: weather, puzzles, Buckingham Week (a busy schedule ahead for you, I see).

More tea, moved stool to table. Found quill and ink. Worked puzzles. Failed.
    12D (7 letters). Alchemist's aid.
    43A (14 letters). Transport in Transvaal.
    65D (17 letters). Tourists's trouble. (Could be a phrase?)
Lunch: finished leftover bacon barley soup. Watched out window: umbrellas rush by. One red, remainder black.

Out to stationers, where bought ink, parchment, wax, blotter. 2 galleons. Change. Apples from stall. 2 sickles. No change. Met no one promising.

Returned. Tracked in muck. Cleaned floor, shoes.

Room dim and no candles.

Out to local chandlers. Listened to advice. Listened to weather. Listened to gossip. Tutted interestedly at second cousin's second daughter mixed up in dodgy ritual. Returned to advice. Selected beeswax. Standard weight. Alchemist's dozen. 3 galleons. Change.

Returned. Lit candle and cast brightening charm.

Letters. Mother. Mother. Mother. Cousin. School chum. Lover. You laugh.

Twisted firestarters. Laid fire. Lit it.

Letters. Mother. Mother.

Burned.

Mother.

Summoned elf. Sent it with letter to Mother. Rain continued.

Tuned wireless. Sorted clippings. Watched out window until dark.

Made tea. Cauliflower cheese. Toast. Ate. Missed elf.

It's a much better cook than I am.

How am I to accomplish what you've asked? I should chat up the neighbours, I suppose. There's a young woman who pushes a pram up and down the street in the middle of the day (when it is not spitting down rain). When I spoke with her--on Tuesday--she asked if I had children. Then she asked if I worked at nights or was it a day off for me. The conversation was brief. What was I supposed to learn from her? Whatever it was, I did not. Or not yet. Perhaps she will tell me more another time, but I suspect she's not a promising lead. Still, maybe she knows something. Maybe she doesn't even know she knows.

Was I really meant for this line of work?

You're not laughing, are you?
alt_narcissa: (4)

Re: Narcissa

[personal profile] alt_narcissa 2009-10-05 12:44 am (UTC)(link)
Really, it sounds as if you are still just scraping by.

Surely you did better for yourself those years in Ireland?

It sounds as if you'll be at this a while at this rate. Lucius had said as much. So if you shan't be able to borrow an elf for the duration, at least let me send Fifi in once a week to prepare meals you can heat with a swish of the wand.
alt_narcissa: (13)

Re: Narcissa

[personal profile] alt_narcissa 2009-10-05 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure He has His reasons for wishing you to become more proficient in this line of work.

Aunt Walburga has no need to torture you further, I'm sure. I don't suggest we can spare our elves all the time, either, but I'm certain we can arrange something to everyone's satisfaction.

You're holding out on me, by the way. Don't think I didn't notice. I can understand if you've no wish to admit anything on parchment, but next visit, I expect to hear all about this lover you mention....
alt_lucius: (LectureMode)

[personal profile] alt_lucius 2009-10-05 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
Well, these reports are thorough, certainly, if they lack any other useful information.

And yes, it does look to be a busy week ahead. The Shroton and Ampfield camps have been selected for the next phase of Rookwood's project; Our Lord has elected personally to go and witness the first trials. And as it is a new quarter, there are also the petitions to hear and the monthly selection of exemplary camps to inspect.

To say nothing of following up on your latest ... intelligence. Your most recent owls arrived on Friday and He was not much impressed with the progress.
alt_lucius: (Hmmmm....)

[personal profile] alt_lucius 2009-10-05 02:42 am (UTC)(link)
I sometimes think He likes each of us to face challenges for which we are not necessarily suited. Carrow and teaching, for example.

In your case, I have it on good authority that assistance or suggestions are decidedly outside parametres He would deem acceptable (more's the pity). For mine, I have been extraordinarily lucky, I am sure, that my meagre talents have proven consistently to be of use in close proximity to Our Lord. As you say, that brings with it its own litany of potential complaints. When I weigh them against the benefits, however, any grievance seems illegitimate by comparison.

To your progress, let us say He is tolerant, for the time being.
alt_sirius: (SayWhat?)

Order Only

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-05 12:57 pm (UTC)(link)
What's this smuggling ring article Regulus mentions? Anyone?

If it's real and not a trumped-up charge, their network may be going into disarray. Kingsley, Frank - any chance you can find the remainder of the group to offer aid?
alt_frank: (Default)

Re: Order Only

[personal profile] alt_frank 2009-10-05 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
that's around my mum's place. I'll see what she knows of the lay of the land. if it isn't swarming with MLE, might be worth seeing if we can't get to them first.
alt_kingsley: (Can of whoopass)

Re: Order Only

[personal profile] alt_kingsley 2009-10-06 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Caradoc has some contacts in that area, too, my friend. He's going to poke around--very carefully, I assure you--to see if he can find out anything more.
alt_sirius: (Thinking)

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-05 07:13 pm (UTC)(link)
43A - sleutel-vervoer, maybe? Without the hyphen, that is.

About the smuggling grandmother - her brother or yours? It's nothing to do with me, though I'm sure no one will believe either of us, least of all Bella. Pity the people shan't have access to whatever she was risking her life to provide, though.

Do you actually read horoscopes? Did not know that. All right. The one here for you says, 'Success is likely to be tied to your initiative, so don't just sit around.' (Mine says, 'Beware of making hasty bargains,' which is apropos yet ridiculously generic.)
alt_sirius: (close-up)

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-05 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I've picked up a phrase or two. Certainly not what I'd call fluent.

As for those ghastly murders, nope. I've not sunk to premeditated mutilations yet, thanksverymuch. In fact I've a sinking feeling I know who is behind those. Not that anyone would believe that, either. What d'you fancy would happen if I placed an anonymous tip with the MLE?

We managed reading in common, as well, then. But horoscopes? Really, I do find them entirely too convenient. Like tarot readings, they only serve to reinforce whatever you think you need to hear. Case in point, your neighbourhood watch project. What neigbourhood was that again?

Hasty? Me? Surely not. I prefer to think I know a good thing when I see it. Besides, the years have forced me to become a sight more patient. Thank Merlin.
alt_sirius: (Motorcycle)

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-06 04:04 am (UTC)(link)
Me? Obviously I'm sailing the Irish Sea, with my eyepatch and parrot. Didn't you say you'd read the Prophet?

And anyway, what's all this waffle about me not brushing hair or teeth? That can't be the reason you actually hung about with old Snivelly, is it? To make yourself look good by comparison?

Mordacious Morgana, Reg I dunno why I bother --

Oh, bollocks. Bugger off yourself, piker.
alt_sirius: (worried)

Order only

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-06 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
Bugger.
alt_narcissa: (6)

[personal profile] alt_narcissa 2009-10-06 02:49 pm (UTC)(link)
What are you doing?
alt_narcissa: (1)

[personal profile] alt_narcissa 2009-10-06 08:08 pm (UTC)(link)
My dear cousin, you yourself just pointed out that person's tendency to rashness. Do you think it's wise to emulate that very trait yourself?

What do you imagine you could possibly say? Don't waste your time, Reg.

alt_narcissa: (15)

[personal profile] alt_narcissa 2009-10-06 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't see why anyone's got to do anything, least of all you. He made his choice a long time ago, as did you.

And if you think I don't understand, you don't know me as well as you claim. I do understand the temptation, cousin dear, but believe me when I tell you the reward, in this case, is hardly worth the effort. Or the risk.

Nonetheless, I suppose brothers are different to sisters and you must salve your sense of pride. If that is your goal, then I understand it even less, but so be it.
alt_sirius: (dueling)

[personal profile] alt_sirius 2009-10-06 04:06 am (UTC)(link)
And you can just keep your hook out of Harry, if you know what's good for you.