therealpm: (Deep thoughts)
[personal profile] therealpm
*The first thing Peter does is to ring George, partly because he misses him, partly because he's overheard whispers of a reshuffle and if anyone's going to have inside info, it's going to be George.  He still hasn't managed to crack the charms on the phone, but he moves the equations from the manuscript to campbell's book for safe keeping, reasoning that people were somewhat less likely to pick up and flick through the latter.

He ignores breakfast when it is brought.  Magical binding or not, Peter has read that some werewolves are able to transform voluntarily and if that's the case, then it's a weapon he means to add to his currently meagre arsenal.  He stares at his hands, trying to draw up the feeling of transformation.  Are the hairs on the back of his hands a little longer?  Perhaps not.  He refocuses and tries again.

By lunch time, Peter's famished and in need of a nap.  He's just about managed to get fur to grow, but his human self reasserts itself after about 5 seconds.  He collapses into a chair and almost inhales the plate of food, ignoring Black Rod's disapproving glare.  After lunch, he curls up on the bed and dozes off.*

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 06:59 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*He opens one eye. It takes a certain amount of work by the tiny bit of his human side left to process what has been said, and even more prodding of his wolf side to get it to respond, but eventually he growls.*

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nextliberalpm.livejournal.com
*Jo raises an eyebrow.*

Well, that's going to be very helpful on BIS paperwork indeed.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
Mandelson, the young lady has taken time out of what I am sure is very busy schedule, on today of all days, to bring you your briefing papers.

You can explore your wild side later. Right now you need to change back so she can speak with you. If we leave the room for five minutes will you transform yourself and put some clothing on?

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*The wolf is sleepy and Peter finds it very difficult to convince it to move. After what seems an interminable wait, it shifts from the bed and pads up to the door. The two women seem to take that as a 'yes' and move away, leaving him alone in a darkening room.

The transformation back is tricky. Whereas before, it had been fluid, driven by anger at John and his confinement, now it is a case of methodically forcing each part of him to change in turn in a way that won't involve some vital organ being in two places at once or missing entirely. The difficulty is compounded by the relatively large part of him that just wants to curl up on a bed and go to sleep, rather than read a BIS brief.

It is very slow, very painful, and Peter can hear the two women returning before he's even had time to fully change his limbs back, let alone put any clothes on.

Snatching up a pair of trousers and a shirt, he dashes to the bathroom looking like a slightly predatory fawn- a strange mix of human and wolf. He manages to get the legs and arms straight after a few more minutes, but the eyes stay yellow, he's even hairier than usual (though he thinks the shirt should cover that) and he's too tired to make sure the teeth are quite short enough.

He checks his appearance in the mirror, smoothing down his hair, then steps out to greet the other two.*

Baroness D'Souza, Ms Swinson. Good evening.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nextliberalpm.livejournal.com
*To Frances, as Peter bolts for the bathroom.*

I could have done without seeing that particular naked bottom.

*She hurriedly recomposes her features as Peter returns.*

I have your BIS briefings and the confidentiality agreements, Peter. Would you like them now or shall I come back tomorrow? I don't have much time to go over them with you tonight but if you don't mind a working lunch tomorrow I could spare an hour then.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
Thank you, if you could give them to me now, I will read-

*He hesitates, D'Souza is not even bothering to hide her smirk*

...them by lunch tomorrow.

*Peter looks at Frances curiously, but she turns her gaze to the ceiling, saying nothing. He accepts the briefings, passed one by one through the bars and thanks Jo.*

If that will be all for this evening, Ms Swinson, I would like to speak with my colleague. In private.

*He waits for Jo to leave before asking flatly.*

What is it?

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
Nothing worth troubling yourself over. Your young employer there is quite witty, that's all.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*He raises an eyebrow, but doesn't pursue it.*

Then I am sure she will be pleasant company during lunch tomorrow.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
*Frances mentally applauds the wisdom of this choice.*

Thank you for changing back so promptly.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
You can blame John for my transforming in the first place.

*It wasn't entirely true, but D'Souza seemed inclined to indulge Peter whenever John fouled up.*

Have DEFRA announced when they will be visiting?

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 07:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
*This sounds entirely plausible to Frances. If she was a werewolf she'd probably have transformed herself when she saw Jo alone outside the cell door.*

I assume John is their contact, since it's his name on their paperwork. I haven't had any word.

A word to the wise; when DEFRA visit, they are going to make certain... demands.
Edited Date: 2012-09-04 08:03 pm (UTC)

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
...would you care to elaborate?

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
They will expect your powers to be contained, and I doubt they will deem this cell to be sufficient, especially given John's inadequate guard rota. And the fact we all know you can break through his wards.

John hasn't spoken to you about this either, has he.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
*Peter eyes her with disbelief*

I cannot even coujure the smallest spark. I am warded in by the power of the Mace. What further restrictions can there conceivably be?

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:18 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
You can still turn into a giant wolf, as you have just demonstrated. They will want to make sure that in the event you do escape, you cannot go on a rampage.

*She eyes him sympathetically.*

I wasn't intending to leave that binding on you indefinitely. I know it's not terribly comfortable.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:22 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
As I have just demonstrated, I would be more likley to curl up and go to sleep. I am far too old to be doing this sort of thing on any regular basis.

*He pinches the bridge of his nose*

If you could remove it... it would be appreciated.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
I know. But let's get through the DEFRA visit first. Once they sign off on John's stewardship of you our legal position will be considerably more robust.

Besides, I think we both know you're a flight risk.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] therealpm.livejournal.com
...very well.

If that is the extent of the restrictions they require, then I believe I have monopolised enough of your time and will return to reading the briefings before tomorrow.

Re: 6 PM

Date: 2012-09-04 08:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dasouzzle.livejournal.com
*Frances is a little surprised by the lack of argument. A month ago she would have said a cooperative Peter would be a vast improvement, but it's strangely uncomfortable to see him so subdued.*

Goodnight, Peter.

*She leaves, hoping to hunt down Bercow and ask him what the hell he's playing at leaving Peter completely unguarded.*
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