6th September, 6 am, Westminster Prison Cell

[therealpm]

*Peter stirs awkwardly awake.  His right arm feels dead from being held above his head all night and he winces as he staggers to his feet, prodding the palm to try and get the blood flow to return. 

Yesterday had not been pleasant- Dawn had shackled him out of reach of his desk and Peter had been bored after the first 5 minutes without his briefings.  The following twelve hours, broken only by Black Rod's smirking arrival with food, had not been much better.*

Comments

7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John arrives through the fireplace with breakfast and Peter's potion for the day. It's not set to be a busy day in the Chamber, but he does have a great deal to catch up on, so John hopes to get his morning meeting with Peter over and done with as soon as possible.*

*John calls through the door as soon as he arrives.*

Good morning, Pe...

*He trails off. Peter is shackled to the wall. Odd. That's not how John left him.*

What on earth are you doing over there like that, Peter?

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter scowls. He can just about flex his fingers now, but he still has pins and needles*

One of your deputies decided confining me to this miniscule room just wasn't hindrance enough.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*It can only be one deputy, when John thinks about it.*

Dawn? Really? Goodness.

*John catches sight of the collar sitting on the table. Suddenly, things begin to make a lot more sense.*

You wouldn't wear the collar, again, would you?

*John gives an aggravated sigh*

I knew this would happen, I just knew it. I assume from the way you haven't managed to free yourself that a bind has been placed on you too?

*He puts the food and potion on the table, and then rubs the bridge of his nose.*

Peter, please just- just put the collar back on. I can remove whatever spells have been put on you and let you down as long as you're in the collar. I'll even fetch you a painkilling potion if that'll help?

Just put the collar on and save us all a great deal of time and effort.

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Well of course not, the back of my neck is burnt, it would chafe.

I am, however, somewhat bored of being restricted to one square metre of floorspace.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John tries to think of a solution.*

I could put a dressing over it? That way the collar would have to come off - and a bind put back in place - on a regular basis?

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter tugs at the shackles chaining him to the wall*

Just... get this thing off.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

I will remove the shackles and the binding, if you wear the collar. That's the deal, Peter.

If you would rather remain bound and shackled, ignore me. If you would prefer it was the collar, then nod.

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter's mouth twists in distaste, but he gives the slightest of nods before turning his head to stare sulkily out of the window.*

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*Without another word, John swiftly picks up the collar and try of food and walks into Peter's cell. He places the food on the table and moves the chair next to Peter, then stands on it and puts the collar in place. If he twists it slightly so that it rests differently, it doesn't catch on the burnt skin. John can always fetch medical supplies later, if need be. A painkiller wouldn't interfere with the werewolf sedative too much, would it?*

*John then removes the shackles. Part of him is saying he should be laughing smugly and self-righteously at Peter like this - the Prince of Darkness magically bound and shackled to the wall of the Parliamentary prison cell - but John persuades himself that the reason he isn't delighting in Peter's torture is that he has far more important things to be doing right now. The sooner this is sorted, the sooner he can get back to answering those very, very pressing constituency letters.*

*Once Peter is free, John jumps down off the chair and places it back by the table. He removes the binding.*

*He is tempted to make a jovial comment about everything being sorted at last, but the look on Peter's face makes him pause. Instead, he walks out of the cell and locks the door behind him.*

Is there anything I can get you?

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter doesn't shift his gaze from the window*

A tie. I would prefer not to have this visible when meeting Ms Swinson later today.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

*John summons his least patterned tie from his wardrobe and hands it through the bars.*

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter wanders over, notes loudly that John's taste is as appalling as ever, but winds the tie around his neck and knots it nonetheless.*

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

There is nothing wrong with my taste in ties!

As a matter of fact, I did not purchase that tie - it was Freddie's gift to me for Fathers' Day, I'll have you know.

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

*Peter raises one eyebrow.*

A gift so treasured that you gave it to a werewolf.

Pass my regards on to Freddie, and the others. They must be starting school again around about now?

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Now you know it was a gift from Freddie, you're not going to destroy it. I couldn't make the same assumption were I to give you one of my other ties.

Yes, today, actually. I'm taking them in later.

*There is an awkward pause. If Peter were not a werewolf, this would be the point where John would invite Peter up the flat to wish the children a good first day back. Peter might even end up coming along on the school drive with them, to see them off at the door. John can just imagine how thrilled Freddie would be with that.*

*But Peter is a werewolf, and as such, John remains silent.*

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I have already destroyed many of your other ties, it was incredibly satisfying.

*Peter smiles slightly, nostalgic.*

Well, I wish them luck. I'm sure Freddie will be able to make it through his first term without trying to curse anyone this year.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do recall something of the sort.

That reminds me, I shall have to up the wards on the wardrobe.

*John chuckles at the thought*

Of course I'll pass your wishes on. We shall see how long he lasts - hopefully he'll make it through the year without attempting to teach a fellow classmate to fly, but I'm never too sure with him.

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

Teaching them how to fly... well I suppose he had to take after you in at least one regard.

*Peter looks wistful. Despite utterly loathing it at the time, the freedom of flying out in the open air seems glorious to him now.*

...are you planning any further lessons before summer is completely ended for the year?

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Freddie keeps insisting that we go, but I'm afraid I've had very little time to take him recently.

Hopefully we'll get a chance before the weather gets too bad, but I'm not confident about that.

Re: 7 a.m.

[therealpm.livejournal.com]

I see. Well.

*Peter pauses.*

You should perhaps get them ready for school. It would be unhelpful for them to be late on the first day back.

Re: 7 a.m.

[bamfbercow.livejournal.com]

Yes. Yes, I should.

*John makes to leave*

I'll pass on your well wishes to them.

Enjoy your breakfast.

*He leaves*