therealpm

*Frances looks between the two men and calculates the chances of them being civil to each other for the duration of a meal in her presence and in her absence.*

Why not? I don't have any other pressing business.

From:

*John very nearly sighs in relief. If something were to happen, at least now he has backup.*

Marvellous! Then, shall we all be off, hmm?

*John opens the cell door for Peter and nods as he passes by him.*

From:

*Frances takes up a flanking position on Peter's other side. She keeps her fingers resting lightly on the wand in her pocket, but with both of them accompanying him there's no need for the bayonet-point march of earlier. They can walk three abreast, like companions rather than a prisoner moving under armed guard. No doubt Peter is acutely conscious of the reality of his situation, but it has to feel a little more pleasant for him.*

*They pass through the corridors without incident. There are a few raised eyebrows at the sight of Peter in her company- the friction between them during his days as a government minister is common knowledge in the Westminster village- but people don't ask Speakers their business. And flanked as he is by the two Speakers Peter has the pleasure of once again seeing everyone step respectfully aside for him, a privilege that has been hard to come by since the resounding defeat of his government. Or perhaps, Frances thinks, he's just seeing his colleagues stand clear of a werewolf. She hopes not. This is the sort of thing he would have enjoyed once.*

From:

*They assemble at a table in one of the more secluded corners of the tea room and dispatch John off to order food and drink. Again, they are subject to several querying stares. Peter doesn't bother glaring back, preferring to drum his fingers on the table and gaze at the windows.*

From:

*John keeps his bag with him at all times - if Peter discovers its contents now, there would be no way to avoid a scene.*

*John orders the food and drinks and takes the latter back to the table while the former is prepared. The two members of the upper chamber are not engaged in conversation and so John tries to fill the gap.*

*He sets the drinks on the table and hands them out*

Any thoughts on the possible reshuffle announcement tomor-

*John realises Peter has been without access to news outlets for days now. Perhaps a television, or a copy of the papers would be a good idea.*

How far did you manage to get with Sally's story, Peter?

From:

*Peter warms his hands around the cup of green tea.*

It was moderately impenetrable.

*He takes a sip of his tea and continues*

Have you heard anything further of the victims?

From:

Not yet. But their families will probably be keeping their condition confidential until they recover, or...

Well. I'm sure they'll show up on Dispatches or something in a few months time. "Werewolves: the Menace in our Midst! What DEFRA doesn't want you to know! Interviews with the victims!" and all that rubbish.

From:

*John quickly tries to steer the conversation in another direction.*

Vince has agreed to take on your case - I believe he's doing research into the cure at the moment and wants to compare notes with you. He knows you're far more experienced in this area and he could really do with you giving a once over to his findings.

As well as that he's been working on-

*Quite what Vince has been working on, Peter doesn't discover, as the waiter picks that moment to bring over their food. It doesn't take long to get the plates sorted and given to the right people, but to Peter it feels like an age.*

*John takes a bite of his food.*

Mmm, this is rather good. I really should come here more often you know. Alas, it does tend to be someone frowned upo...

*John spots Peter's expression and quickly tries to work out what it was he was going to tell the other man.*

Vince has also brewed the other potion - the temporary stop-gap until the trickier one is complete. When you're ready to try it, be sure to let me know.

From:

*He chews thoughtfully*

I would like to see the recipe, for both, before making that decision.

'So I can evaluate how likely it is that Vince will have messed it up.'

From:

That does sound like excellent news, though. Next time you transform you won't have to worry about- *Frances realises she's veering into 'potential murder victims' territory again and makes a hasty course correction*- tearing up all your bedding.

*She turns to John*

How soon before the next full moon does he need to begin taking it in order for the potion to have an effect?

From:

*John tries to remember*

If I manage to recall correctly, the longer the potion is taken before transformation the great impact it has on the individual. If Peter starts taking it - oh, say, as a totally hypothetical example - tonight and continues to take it once a day, every day, then by the next full moon, he should be in full control of himself while in his other form.

On the other hand, the longer he takes the potion, the slower the transformation is and the longer he is as a wolf.

*John turns back to Peter*

It's entirely your choice, of course, but from the research both Vince and I have done, the sooner you start this course of treatment, the better.

From:

...I will make a decision after I have reviewed the potions' recipes.

*He frowns, setting down his fork*

Though from what I recall, neither is particularly quick to brew. How is Vince managing with the BIS brief? I wouldn't have thought the Liberals would have much time to spare.

From:

*There are some times when maintaining a Speaker's neutrality is a real burden, and being perfectly set up to make a joke about the economy is one of them. Frances gamely suppresses the urge.*

The Commons were in recess until today, but it does seem like it would put a strain on him while Parliament is in session. Does he have a plan to distribute some of the burden? It will be difficult for him to explain why he needs to dump some of his ministerial workload, especially with the situation at the top of his party so... fraught.

From:

*John eats a little bit more of his food while he tries to find the right phrasing.*

Vince was rather reluctant to take on the case - as you know, BIS is a busy place. I thought that perhaps, Peter, if you would be willing, you could glance your expert eye over some of the paperwork to give Vince more time to make your potions.

From:

*For the first time since he arrived, Peter looks genuinely thrilled, albeit only for a brief moment until he schools his expression back to blank neutrality.*

That would be... acceptable. I will of course provide what assistance I can.

*He considers for a moment*

Copies of any major briefings he's been given since being appointed would be helpful. It's a very dynamic brief and undoubtedly much will have changed.

From:

*Frances catches the flicker of excitement across his face and smiles ruefully to herself. Power has always been the one thing guaranteed to brighten Peter's day.*

One in great need of assistance, too, or so the economic forecasts tell me. I'm sure Mr. Cable will be grateful for any insights you can provide.

From: