7 am, 3rd September. Parliamentary prison cell

[therealpm]

*Peter wakes up several times during the night.  The bright sodium glare of the streetlights regularly tricking his brain into thinking it's dawn.  Eventually, he gets up, grabs a spare blanket and hangs it on the highest window bar he can reach.  It doesn't block all the light, but enough to let him sleep until morning.

The morning is not a happy one, Peter's mental stock taking: 'Owner: one.  Practically incurable disease: one.  Means to contact George: zero.' does not lend itself to cheer.  Now that he's less furious, he can feel his magic roiling beneath D'Souza's binding, giving him a continuous need to figit or find some other outlet for the pent up force.  He paces the room.*

Comments

Re: 8 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I'll leave when Black Rod is able to take over the watch.

If the courtyard isn't enough space for you, I'm sure that Black Rod knows of a few very secure army training facilities to which he could take you. I'll ask him when he arrives.

Re: 8 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Difficult, as both you and Black Rod need to be in the chamber at the same time at the opening of Parliament, but I'm sure you'll cope.

Re: 8 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John splutters. Lack of both sleep and coffee have not aided his wits one bit. He hopes he can pull back by the time Education Questions come round later. Merlin knows he's going to need to be on top of things today - outside the Chamber as well as in, if the gift arrives today.*

I'll call one of my deputies to sort you out.

*He gets out his own phone and sends round a text*

Text from 078## ######

Who's turn is it to be on guard duty now? And, whoever is meant to be on watch now - where the devil are you?

-John

Re: 8 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter raises an eyebrow*

I suppose I should be flattered that, despite being magically bound and warded in by the power of the mace, you still feel the need to post a guard. I never knew you cared.

Re: 8 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John ignores Peter's comments. That bloody thing had better arrive today, he thinks. The Mace will be busy once again with the Commons sitting. Thankfully the Lords aren't back for another month, though he tells himself, or we'd really be in a fix trying to keep Peter warded in.*

*Eventually, Black Rod returns and takes away Peter's things. he makes no comment, decidedly unamused by whatever it is that the damned wizards had got themselves into this time.*

*John nods his thanks, checking his phone frequently.*

Re: 8 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter considers antagonising Black Rod, simply for a change of pace, but decides against it. The two had never been on the friendliest of terms, as perhaps might be expected given that Black Rod's responsibilities include the security of the Palace, something Peter threatens routinely whenever he's bored.

No, Peter decides, reminding Black Rod of the heap of grievances between them under present circumstances would be most unwise. Better that he stay quiet and allow John to be the target of any resentment.*

Re: 8 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John gets increasingly irritated as no one shows. He may very well have to leave Peter by himself, at this rate.*

*He's been fine before, though, even when the wolf was stronger, John thinks to himself. And the bind that Frances put on him - goodness, he does glow in it, doesn't he? - will hold for a good while longer. With the partially locked off phone, it's incredibly likely he'll cause no real danger...right? Hopefully Osborne or Campbell or someone will show soon, keep him distracted.

*John checks his watch again, hoping against hope that it shows a different time to the blinking numbers on his mobile phone screen.*

I can't stay. Don't do anything you shouldn't - according to my standards, Peter, not yours - and I'll try and come back soon. We still need to thrash out the details of your potion's course of treatment.

*Before John leaves, he summons a manuscript.*

Sally's latest draft of her novel. She's asked me to look through it but I don't have the time. Read it for me, would you, and make any annotations you think relevant.

*John passes through the pages and a red pen. There. That should keep him busy.*

I'll be back as soon as I can.

*With that, John leaves to go about his Speakerly duties.*

Re: 8 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter waits for John to leave, then rips out the few blank pages at the back of the manuscript. He can't use his magic, but some incantations have weight all of their own. With the right arithmancy, he might be able to divert power from the binding spell or wards to crack the charms John's placed on the phone. Brow furrowing, he notes down some equations and gets to work.*