[ Things have been changing and Hermione is getting worried; the start of things getting worse seems to have begun properly and she's scared that she might end up doing more harm than good, doing more damage than she might have done if she were doing anything else. She's a Sorceress of Caer Glaem, she's a witch and she is smart and powerful but even she has her limits and she thinks she might be about to meet them.
At least there's one thing she can focus on; the magic.
She's poured over Dorian's notes, learned the runes and the magic, she's spent time in Redgate and she's found out all the more thanks to Kaldur and the information he had given her. She's prepared to start things that, maybe, she should have done a long time ago but something tells her that it might not be a good idea to do it alone -- it's not a good idea to not have support, not with everything going on, and magic wise? The first person that comes to mind is Dorian Gray.
She asks a faerie to send him a message before she goes, the Tome she had been given as a boon sitting in front of her, nervous making her a little cautious. What she is asking is a lot, even for their tentative and rather wonderful friendship, and she's determined to be careful with it. ]
[Dorian arrives promptly. He would never be late for a missive from Hermione. Although things are quieter in these months, in the light of all that has come before, Dorian cannot fool himself into believing that the war will not become hot again, will not become worse. Violence is coming to them all.
All the more reason to stand by his friends.
When he steps into the workroom, his smile softens at the way she holds herself. It is clear he isn't the only one marred by dark thoughts of dark hours.] Miss Granger? [He matches his voice to his smile and approaches her.] I received your message. But tell me, how do you fare?
Mr Gray! [ The formality lingers, even with the fact that she and Dorian are actually friends, now, beginning to be quite good ones, and she offers him a bright smile. She feels a connection to him, considering - they've studied together, shared notes, and she knows she has something to ask him that might be a bit of a burden to him, even now.
A hug may not be the best thing but she steps forward, almost embracing him before she stops herself and offers her hand instead.
At least they have their friends in these times and she adjusts, hoping they can ignore the pressure of war around their shoulders. ] I'm very good, thank you. Things are a bit quiet, aren't they? Please, sit down, I made us some tea if you'd like some.
[When he takes her hand, he finishes the embrace she almost started. After these months, the gesture has become more familiar to him, and far less strange in coming from a woman. It is quite natural to complete it.]
[Pulling back, his smile takes lightness from her own happiness.] I admit, I'm more than a little grateful for the quiet. Tea would be wonderful.
[He is sure by now she knows how he likes his tea—with honey and lemon—and he sits across from her, content to wait for her purpose, if she has one, or merely socialize if she does not.]
[ She leans into his embrace easily enough, squeezing him gently and relaxing somewhat. Hermione has always taken comfort in the fact that she can be around her friends, embrace them, grab their hands or their arms and know they're nearby - it comforts her, and knowing that Dorian wouldn't mind makes her feel so much better.
She goes and sits opposite him, shifting a little as she pours his tea and passes the cup over, biting back her little smile. ]
Honestly? I have a bit of an ulterior motive, Mr Gray.
[ She puts her hands on the tome, pushing it forward a bit. ]
[His eyes flicker down at the movement, and then back up to her. A candid confession of ulterior motives from Hermione does not inspire distrust. Rather, he is curious, and leans closer to her, interested in what she has to present to him.]
Very little, in truth. I know they are not functioning now. I know their basis is magic. I . . . suspect they are used in manners not overtly disclosed to us. [Spying. He means they're used for spying by the Monarchs. But he isn't going to say it in the heart of Caer Glaem.] What of them?
You're right - I mean, the monarchs must know who we talk to. We're not supposed to talk to the other courts, I don't think, not really, and I get the feeling things are going to get worse when it comes to that very soon. This?
[ She pushes the book a little closer. ]
This is a book I was given as a boon. It lets me make almost anything into a network device just like the lockets we were given - as long as it has a flat, metal surface, and we can use it off the networks too.
[His eyes widen. It's impressive power. Very impressive power. He touches the book, careful. Anything with a flat metal surface—some mirrors, any sword and most shields, so much of what they have.]
[But he does have one paranoid concern, which he expresses in a creased brow as he looks up to her.] You say it was a boon. Can the monarchs trace the network through it, gain access to it, as it comes from a gift they gave themselves?
That's one of the problems I've been having lately. At the moment anything I make is a little bit... Unsafe? I've been doing some reading, though, and I've found some spells that'll secure the line. No one should be able to peek in, but more couldn't hurt.
[ She shakes her head. ]
But that's not what I'm worried about. The lockets have been acting a bit funny lately and I don't know what that means about what the monarchs are seeing - doing.
That's exactly what I'd like. I'm going to be a little busy with things at the White Citadel and I don't think I can do this alone. I thought maybe we could figure something out for the network, but also my potions? My friends have been telling me off for ages for not charging for them...
[ Her expression is careful, now, and she leans forward. ]
Only if you want to. I don't want this to be something that would be too much for you.
[Where she is careful, he is comfortable, easy. In truth, guardedness has never come naturally to him, and when he is happy for a thing, he goes forward on it without care. Thoughtless in his ease, he sets his hand over hers to reassure her.]
It would be my pleasure to help you, Miss Granger. I will do what you need of me.
[ The relief washes over her quickly and she brightens, leaning closer. ]
Really? Are you sure? I know it's a lot to ask, but it would be a business and we would make some money from it. That or trade for things we might need, if anything comes up...
[ She breathes out. Keep it calm, Granger, don't get over your head. ]
[ She's smiling, now, her hand turning so she's holding onto his weakly, gently. As a friend would. ]
I can teach you how to make them and neither of us will have to do it alone. We can keep records of who owns one, or bought one, and we can work out a way to advertise it, right?
That would be marvellous. I—[He laughs a little as he realizes that he can't grab a pen with their hands together.] Hold on a moment. [Freeing the one hand, he snatches up pen and paper.] We'll need inventory lists, records of ownership is an excellent idea. I've been making connections in Parrais—artists. If you like it, we could commission one for the design of an advertisement. Perhaps you could use magic to duplicate it, that we may spread it about? And there are bards, who might be hired to sing a song that slips mention of our product into its verses. We'll need help with delivery, as well.
[He may be getting a bit carried away in his enthusiasm to help Hermione. BARDVERTISING.]
[ She knew she had asked the right person. His enthusiasm is matched by her own and she leans over. ]
All the ones that I've made so far have been gifts and I've kept note of whatever I've made. If people don't want lockets like we have then they can have something of their own enchanted - as long as it has a flat surface for the videos they can have anything. A friend of mine uses his dog tags.
[ She taps the set around her own neck, a mirror of his without the enchantment. ]
And we can commission them, of course! I can apparate around and put posters up once they're done and we can encourage people to pass on the word. Now that I'm not keeping it a secret I could tell my friends they can tell their friends too. Word of mouth can be quite dangerous.
[Dorian is slightly confused about why someone would put a communication on a tag for their dog, or why Hermione is wearing dog tags either. He brushes past it, however, as he is more interested in how they'll develop this.]
Oh, yes! Word of mouth will no doubt spread it far. [Curiously, he has to ask:] Will you give such devices to natives, should they ask it? Others outside the court?
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early may. caer glaem (research room).
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All the more reason to stand by his friends.
When he steps into the workroom, his smile softens at the way she holds herself. It is clear he isn't the only one marred by dark thoughts of dark hours.] Miss Granger? [He matches his voice to his smile and approaches her.] I received your message. But tell me, how do you fare?
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A hug may not be the best thing but she steps forward, almost embracing him before she stops herself and offers her hand instead.
At least they have their friends in these times and she adjusts, hoping they can ignore the pressure of war around their shoulders. ] I'm very good, thank you. Things are a bit quiet, aren't they? Please, sit down, I made us some tea if you'd like some.
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[Pulling back, his smile takes lightness from her own happiness.] I admit, I'm more than a little grateful for the quiet. Tea would be wonderful.
[He is sure by now she knows how he likes his tea—with honey and lemon—and he sits across from her, content to wait for her purpose, if she has one, or merely socialize if she does not.]
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She goes and sits opposite him, shifting a little as she pours his tea and passes the cup over, biting back her little smile. ]
Honestly? I have a bit of an ulterior motive, Mr Gray.
[ She puts her hands on the tome, pushing it forward a bit. ]
What do you know about the network - the lockets?
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Very little, in truth. I know they are not functioning now. I know their basis is magic. I . . . suspect they are used in manners not overtly disclosed to us. [Spying. He means they're used for spying by the Monarchs. But he isn't going to say it in the heart of Caer Glaem.] What of them?
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[ She pushes the book a little closer. ]
This is a book I was given as a boon. It lets me make almost anything into a network device just like the lockets we were given - as long as it has a flat, metal surface, and we can use it off the networks too.
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[But he does have one paranoid concern, which he expresses in a creased brow as he looks up to her.] You say it was a boon. Can the monarchs trace the network through it, gain access to it, as it comes from a gift they gave themselves?
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[ She shakes her head. ]
But that's not what I'm worried about. The lockets have been acting a bit funny lately and I don't know what that means about what the monarchs are seeing - doing.
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[ She offers him a weak, careful smile. ]
But I can't do it alone.
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You would like my help?
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[ Her expression is careful, now, and she leans forward. ]
Only if you want to. I don't want this to be something that would be too much for you.
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It would be my pleasure to help you, Miss Granger. I will do what you need of me.
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Really? Are you sure? I know it's a lot to ask, but it would be a business and we would make some money from it. That or trade for things we might need, if anything comes up...
[ She breathes out. Keep it calm, Granger, don't get over your head. ]
You're - thank you, Doria-- Mr Gray.
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[In the drug business.]
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[ She's smiling, now, her hand turning so she's holding onto his weakly, gently. As a friend would. ]
I can teach you how to make them and neither of us will have to do it alone. We can keep records of who owns one, or bought one, and we can work out a way to advertise it, right?
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[He may be getting a bit carried away in his enthusiasm to help Hermione. BARDVERTISING.]
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[ She knew she had asked the right person. His enthusiasm is matched by her own and she leans over. ]
All the ones that I've made so far have been gifts and I've kept note of whatever I've made. If people don't want lockets like we have then they can have something of their own enchanted - as long as it has a flat surface for the videos they can have anything. A friend of mine uses his dog tags.
[ She taps the set around her own neck, a mirror of his without the enchantment. ]
And we can commission them, of course! I can apparate around and put posters up once they're done and we can encourage people to pass on the word. Now that I'm not keeping it a secret I could tell my friends they can tell their friends too. Word of mouth can be quite dangerous.
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Oh, yes! Word of mouth will no doubt spread it far. [Curiously, he has to ask:] Will you give such devices to natives, should they ask it? Others outside the court?
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Of course. A few of my friends from the other court already have them and I don't see any reason why we should limit ourselves.
[ She offers him a small, pleased smile. ]
If they can get to us, where we are, to get one? They've earned it.
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It will be interesting to see who comes to acquire them. [He offers her a smile.] And I may need to be your first customer.
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[ And then she gives him a look. ]
You're doing me a favour, Dorian. How about instead we work together to make yours so I can show you the magic?
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[Like a puppy who sees another dog across the street, Dorian has no sense of a leash.]
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[ So cute. Beaming, she shifts around the table. ]
Do you want it to be now?
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