Dealer? Oh, now there's a loaded word, you might gain a more unsavoury reputation if you keep using that phrase. [Words are everything, after all.] But an actual profit off useful items that people will need is definitely a wise idea. Any idea on where you'd be selling out of? The house is hidden, obviously, which means your markets would have to be elsewhere.
[Good thing Rin's been named trade minister, huh?]
A little bit of luck takes you far here though. And-- I'm sorry, you can do what?
[He has priorities, okay?]
Ah. The new place has our living quarters in the basement itself - it's built into a cliffside - so I'm trying to figure out a good way to set things up without killing anyone. I'm fond of my housemates.
Not my word! Trust me, I would like to think there's a more... Kind way to describe what I've been doing. All I offer is something to help you sleep or to help you after a fight, nothing addictive. [ ... Yet.
Best not to look at that golden potion yet.
She leaps right ahead to the obvious curiosity - the beaded back. She's handed a few out and it never occurred to her that people might want to buy these, too. ]
My bag has a charm on it that makes it quite... Adept at carrying things. It's charmed so that, to everyone else, it just seems like a handbag, but to me? [ She steps over, picks it up, and reaches inside, going all the way down to her elbow, then her shoulder, before she pulls out a book and sets it to one side. ] It's got everything I need whenever I need it. Books, notes, scrolls, potions...
[ As for the rest - ]
Maybe looking into pipelines or ventilation shafts? As long as something can connect the basement to the outside somehow, even through a series of long, thin tunnels throughout, there'll be a means of airing the room.
Hm. [Waver stops to think, then counts the options off on his fingers.] Creator, seller, brewer, master brewer, barista, take your pick. Last one's silly, admittedly.
[But silly is always in order. His attention on the bag, Waver has to grin a little as Hermione's arm all but disappaers into it.] Now that I would find a lot of uses for. Especially as a saddle bag for my cleg. She hated me when we moved at the end of February.
[It was a miracle Lucetta tolerated him at all some days, given how often Waver relied on her for travel.]
I think shafts might be the easiest, if I can place the exits right. I don't want to add too many tunnels though, lest I compromise the structural integrity as is.
Hermione Granger, Sorceress of Caer Glaem and barista.
[ It does make her bite back a laugh, so the silliness worked, her head shaking as she tries to ignore how ridiculous the entire situation is. She can imagine herself standing calling out potions to people wearing a rather silly apron, really. ]
I could make you one, if you wanted. If you have a bag you wanted it done to I could do the charm in a few minutes and it shouldn't ever break, even if I leave.
[ Waver has been good to her when he didn't have to be, a comfort with all the guilt coiling inside of her. It's the least she could do. ]
I would help if I could, but I don't think that's entirely feasible.
It's got a nice ring to it! I mean Sorceress of Caer Glaem and Master Potions Brewer's got the right gravitas, but I think a little light heartedness wouldn't go awry.
[To be fair, that would be truly an amazing thing to have happen.]
Actually, I'd be thrilled if you could to that. Lucetta would too, I'm sure. [And, now that he thinks on it, so would a certain ten litres of intelligent mercury.]
You've already helped. It's just a matter of going over the ground and making it work.
I can't keep all of the gravitas to myself, of course. I have to share the load otherwise it's a little bit unfair.
[ She nods her head, stepping over to take a peek at the potions quickly as she speaks. ]
Then I'll do it next time you're free and you have whatever you need on hand. The charms are really quite amazing. I've carried about a dozen books alongside potions, portraits, clothes, shoes...
Honestly I've gotten the impression of a lot of seriousness from the Seelie, so I can only biasedly encourage that sharing. [Waver will never admit that a bit of fun chaos is good.
While Hermione checks on her potions, he lingers by the desk, not wanting to intrude on her work.]
I'd appreciate that. Would you accept payment in the form of more tea?
[There's always actual payment, but this is the better offer he thinks.]
Logic and problem solving! For me, that is...actually a lot of fun.
We have a walking, talking lion. We're not as serious as you might think. [ Hermione has met a mis-matched group of people on the Seelie side and only half of them are more serious than her, which is saying something.
Learning how to tease and poke fun has been a bit of a journey for her. ]
Of course I would. You can never have enough tea and I'd hate to run out.
[ His response lights her up and she grins. ]
Exactly. It's why I always loved doing my homework, especially Arithmancy and numerology.
A walking talking lion plus a lion with wings. Perhaps you need new court mascots? Like how you sometimes see two lions outside of libraries. [That New York City trip for a mage conference had been pretty fun.]
Then I'll have the bags sent to you soon, stuffed full of tea, and send them back whenever you can? I think that's as good a deal I can think of as any.
[Oh, Hermione, this is why he likes you.]
Oh, numerology I've seen used before! How does one assign homework for it?
It would match my house mascots from home. In school we were in Gryffindor and our mascot was a large lion. Maybe that's why I'm a lioness. [ It reminds her of home and she's struck with some nostalgia for a moment before she shakes her head.
It's better to focus. ]
That sounds perfect. It'll only take a little bit to do the charms so you should have them back within the day.
[ And Hermione will have some tea to have down here in the darkness of her lab. ]
I don't have any with me, but we used to have number charts that we plotted and examined. They were absolutely fascinating.
Perhaps. Although the wings are new, and maybe that's a symbol of something too.
[What that symbol might be is for Hermione to figure out. Waver grins though, a thought coming over him.]
Oh, that'd be perfect. I can honestly hang out the whole day, and Lucetta won't want to buck me off for doing two round trips. I swear, I feel like I overwork her constantly.
[Lucetta, mind, would agree.]
Have you had any chance to do them here, or is it again a matter of too much to do, no time for any of it?
[ She pauses to consider that; with everything that's happened, her new place of power, the weight of the world... ]
Maybe. I'm not sure that's something I'd like to think about right now.
[ She shakes her head, glancing at the potions in front of her. She'll have to go and trade for ingredients soon, ask after the people that said they needed some, start talking to people properly about what they needed... ]
I'm sure she won't mind having a few hours break, too, then.
[ She breathes out, looking almost petulant now. ]
I haven't had any time at all. I'd love to sit down and look at all my books, but...
[Waver lets the lion matter go at that, understanding that it's really better not to poke at this point. There's so much to consider, and he suspects there are hidden meanings he's missing out on.]
She'd probably like you more than me for it. She'd probably like more of my household if a friend didn't decide to race her on a broom to see who could go faster.
[Rin had made that attempt in January, and it had been completely ridiculous.]
But war, and all the bullshit that goes with it. I feel like all I do is try and stay ahead of everything here.
[ Hermione just wrinkles her nose, looking particularly put out. It looked like broomsticks and flying weren't just something unique to her world and myths about witches. ]
I'll never understand the attraction of riding around on a bit of wood. It's absurd.
[ She hates flying and that's not likely to change. ]
But you're right. Just keeping yourself afloat is a little - ridiculous, lately.
Well, my friend needed something fast in a pinch at the time. She hasn't gotten any swifter means of travel yet, and so this was just making do.
[Really, Waver wishes Rin had a slightly safe mode of flight but then, flying horse. No room to talk.]
More than that. I think I've got a handle on things, and [he sighs.] A close associate gets pulled into a power play and I freak out because I don't trust the monarchs nor do I want my associate used to further the agenda of others.
[ She purses her lips, trying to bite back everything she's feeling. He's so calm in the wake of what had been Harry's fury. ]
I just wanted you to know that it's not what I intended. I never meant for anything like that to happen. I didn't trust them - [ the monarchs. ] - as much as I trusted my friends. The people I love.
[ She shakes her head, looking away again. ]
I thought I had done the right thing. I'm sorry - for what happened. It's my fault and I know that.
The one thing I have been wondering, I admit, is why you did trust them with this? I want to understand why you felt that was the right thing, beyond anything else.
I was told that the reason we were keeping the sigils wasn't because of the monarchs, it was because of Reynard. That if the monarchs found out it would be treason, that I would be in trouble. It's not as though I went up to them and waved it in front of their faces.
[ Her nose wrinkles and she lifts her hands, trying not to lift her hands and wipe at her eyes. She's fine, she tells herself. She's fine. ]
Solais came to me and asked me for it. She looked at my mirror and she told me there were spirits inside and that something might have happened to me. I was in a situation where I could have ended up in far more trouble than I ever imagined I would be.
[ Her hands clench around nothing. ]
I was promised, by her and my friends that talk to her, that it would be destroyed. It's my own fault for believing that.
From everything I've heard, the sigils can't be destroyed without it being a huge threat to stability here. Moreso than what exists already with the void.
[But, Waver listens to the rest, and runs it all over in his mind. It's an understandable perspective, and factoring in that there was some trust with Solias to do what she said she would, well. There it all goes then, the action is understandable.]
From everything you said...I do understand. I disagree, but I'm inclined to risk treason.
I haven't been told anything else. I was given this - this thing to look after with no information and nothing apart from secrets and things I was apparently not allowed to know about and then I make a mistake and --
[ There's no use getting angry. She knows what she did and she lifts her hands, wiping under her eyes quickly. What's done is done and that's the end of it. ]
I'm glad you understand. If I could undo it I would, you have to know that. I would never intentionally want to hurt so many people.
[Waver pauses before saying anything else - just long enough to take his scarf off, and offer it to Hermione if need be.]
The problem with these information impasses is that sometimes secrecy and ignorance as the only reason they work. Slight of hand is nothing short of invaluable, but it can lead us to where we stand now.
[Waver sighs heavily.]
At this point, intention from anyone isn't going to matter. It's how we pick up and move on that will define this decision. But with that said, I'm curious to know how your opinion of your monarchs has changed.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Good thing Rin's been named trade minister, huh?]
A little bit of luck takes you far here though. And-- I'm sorry, you can do what?
[He has priorities, okay?]
Ah. The new place has our living quarters in the basement itself - it's built into a cliffside - so I'm trying to figure out a good way to set things up without killing anyone. I'm fond of my housemates.
no subject
Best not to look at that golden potion yet.
She leaps right ahead to the obvious curiosity - the beaded back. She's handed a few out and it never occurred to her that people might want to buy these, too. ]
My bag has a charm on it that makes it quite... Adept at carrying things. It's charmed so that, to everyone else, it just seems like a handbag, but to me? [ She steps over, picks it up, and reaches inside, going all the way down to her elbow, then her shoulder, before she pulls out a book and sets it to one side. ] It's got everything I need whenever I need it. Books, notes, scrolls, potions...
[ As for the rest - ]
Maybe looking into pipelines or ventilation shafts? As long as something can connect the basement to the outside somehow, even through a series of long, thin tunnels throughout, there'll be a means of airing the room.
no subject
[But silly is always in order. His attention on the bag, Waver has to grin a little as Hermione's arm all but disappaers into it.] Now that I would find a lot of uses for. Especially as a saddle bag for my cleg. She hated me when we moved at the end of February.
[It was a miracle Lucetta tolerated him at all some days, given how often Waver relied on her for travel.]
I think shafts might be the easiest, if I can place the exits right. I don't want to add too many tunnels though, lest I compromise the structural integrity as is.
no subject
[ It does make her bite back a laugh, so the silliness worked, her head shaking as she tries to ignore how ridiculous the entire situation is. She can imagine herself standing calling out potions to people wearing a rather silly apron, really. ]
I could make you one, if you wanted. If you have a bag you wanted it done to I could do the charm in a few minutes and it shouldn't ever break, even if I leave.
[ Waver has been good to her when he didn't have to be, a comfort with all the guilt coiling inside of her. It's the least she could do. ]
I would help if I could, but I don't think that's entirely feasible.
no subject
[To be fair, that would be truly an amazing thing to have happen.]
Actually, I'd be thrilled if you could to that. Lucetta would too, I'm sure. [And, now that he thinks on it, so would a certain ten litres of intelligent mercury.]
You've already helped. It's just a matter of going over the ground and making it work.
no subject
[ She nods her head, stepping over to take a peek at the potions quickly as she speaks. ]
Then I'll do it next time you're free and you have whatever you need on hand. The charms are really quite amazing. I've carried about a dozen books alongside potions, portraits, clothes, shoes...
[ It's endless, really. ]
Doing the work is the fun part, at least?
no subject
While Hermione checks on her potions, he lingers by the desk, not wanting to intrude on her work.]
I'd appreciate that. Would you accept payment in the form of more tea?
[There's always actual payment, but this is the better offer he thinks.]
Logic and problem solving! For me, that is...actually a lot of fun.
no subject
Learning how to tease and poke fun has been a bit of a journey for her. ]
Of course I would. You can never have enough tea and I'd hate to run out.
[ His response lights her up and she grins. ]
Exactly. It's why I always loved doing my homework, especially Arithmancy and numerology.
no subject
Then I'll have the bags sent to you soon, stuffed full of tea, and send them back whenever you can? I think that's as good a deal I can think of as any.
[Oh, Hermione, this is why he likes you.]
Oh, numerology I've seen used before! How does one assign homework for it?
no subject
It's better to focus. ]
That sounds perfect. It'll only take a little bit to do the charms so you should have them back within the day.
[ And Hermione will have some tea to have down here in the darkness of her lab. ]
I don't have any with me, but we used to have number charts that we plotted and examined. They were absolutely fascinating.
no subject
[What that symbol might be is for Hermione to figure out. Waver grins though, a thought coming over him.]
Oh, that'd be perfect. I can honestly hang out the whole day, and Lucetta won't want to buck me off for doing two round trips. I swear, I feel like I overwork her constantly.
[Lucetta, mind, would agree.]
Have you had any chance to do them here, or is it again a matter of too much to do, no time for any of it?
no subject
Maybe. I'm not sure that's something I'd like to think about right now.
[ She shakes her head, glancing at the potions in front of her. She'll have to go and trade for ingredients soon, ask after the people that said they needed some, start talking to people properly about what they needed... ]
I'm sure she won't mind having a few hours break, too, then.
[ She breathes out, looking almost petulant now. ]
I haven't had any time at all. I'd love to sit down and look at all my books, but...
no subject
She'd probably like you more than me for it. She'd probably like more of my household if a friend didn't decide to race her on a broom to see who could go faster.
[Rin had made that attempt in January, and it had been completely ridiculous.]
But war, and all the bullshit that goes with it. I feel like all I do is try and stay ahead of everything here.
no subject
I'll never understand the attraction of riding around on a bit of wood. It's absurd.
[ She hates flying and that's not likely to change. ]
But you're right. Just keeping yourself afloat is a little - ridiculous, lately.
no subject
[Really, Waver wishes Rin had a slightly safe mode of flight but then, flying horse. No room to talk.]
More than that. I think I've got a handle on things, and [he sighs.] A close associate gets pulled into a power play and I freak out because I don't trust the monarchs nor do I want my associate used to further the agenda of others.
no subject
Waver, I...
[ She shakes her head. Better out than in, right? ]
You know, don't you? About what happened - what I did?
no subject
[No point in lying about that.]
no subject
[ She shifts, uncomfortable and entirely on edge now. ]
But you know about - about the other part. About what happened because of what I did?
no subject
[Where Hermione is tense, Waver remains unflappable, his tone still pleasant and calm.]
I was never planning to bring it up unless you did, honestly.
no subject
I just wanted you to know that it's not what I intended. I never meant for anything like that to happen. I didn't trust them - [ the monarchs. ] - as much as I trusted my friends. The people I love.
[ She shakes her head, looking away again. ]
I thought I had done the right thing. I'm sorry - for what happened. It's my fault and I know that.
no subject
no subject
[ Her nose wrinkles and she lifts her hands, trying not to lift her hands and wipe at her eyes. She's fine, she tells herself. She's fine. ]
Solais came to me and asked me for it. She looked at my mirror and she told me there were spirits inside and that something might have happened to me. I was in a situation where I could have ended up in far more trouble than I ever imagined I would be.
[ Her hands clench around nothing. ]
I was promised, by her and my friends that talk to her, that it would be destroyed. It's my own fault for believing that.
no subject
[But, Waver listens to the rest, and runs it all over in his mind. It's an understandable perspective, and factoring in that there was some trust with Solias to do what she said she would, well. There it all goes then, the action is understandable.]
From everything you said...I do understand. I disagree, but I'm inclined to risk treason.
no subject
[ There's no use getting angry. She knows what she did and she lifts her hands, wiping under her eyes quickly. What's done is done and that's the end of it. ]
I'm glad you understand. If I could undo it I would, you have to know that. I would never intentionally want to hurt so many people.
no subject
The problem with these information impasses is that sometimes secrecy and ignorance as the only reason they work. Slight of hand is nothing short of invaluable, but it can lead us to where we stand now.
[Waver sighs heavily.]
At this point, intention from anyone isn't going to matter. It's how we pick up and move on that will define this decision. But with that said, I'm curious to know how your opinion of your monarchs has changed.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
hermione i'm going to cry from that magic of friendship comment.
the most powerful magic after love!!!
honestly i'm tempted to say let's end it here BECAUSE IT'S A REALLY GOOD SPOT.