15th September, 9:55 am. Prison cell.
Sep. 15th, 2012 11:37 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
therealpm*Peter sits at his desk and sulks. He's already paced back and forth across the room 60 times (he counted), and is now waiting for the hour before he'll do so again. It's become a bit of a ritual, something to break up the day and stretch his legs in the confined space of the cell.
He glares at the stack of BIS work still left to do. The stream of paper is seemingly neverending, and that's part of the problem. There is never any sense that he has completed something- achieved anything indeed except knocked down one more briefing to a digestible size, with a thousand still to go. He makes no decisions, alters no part of government policy, merely reads in, concatonates and writes out a one page summary in what is now perfect longhand. He is bored out of his skull.
Peter hasn't tested the wards since Paddy was last on guard- all the guards since have been magical and rather more inclined to enquire as to what he is doing than previously. He supposes John has warned them to be extra vigilant and the lack of even an illusion of privacy grates. He hasn't managed to de-spell the phone either, and the knowledge that it has taken over a week to fail to do something he would normally be able to complete in under 10 minutes is yet one more frustration on top of the pile. It is growing incresingly difficult for him to maintain his temper, to keep to the social niceties and not just snap at the next comment, change into the wolf and howl at the door. But for now he bides his time with pacing and thinking up excessively creative means of revenge.*
He glares at the stack of BIS work still left to do. The stream of paper is seemingly neverending, and that's part of the problem. There is never any sense that he has completed something- achieved anything indeed except knocked down one more briefing to a digestible size, with a thousand still to go. He makes no decisions, alters no part of government policy, merely reads in, concatonates and writes out a one page summary in what is now perfect longhand. He is bored out of his skull.
Peter hasn't tested the wards since Paddy was last on guard- all the guards since have been magical and rather more inclined to enquire as to what he is doing than previously. He supposes John has warned them to be extra vigilant and the lack of even an illusion of privacy grates. He hasn't managed to de-spell the phone either, and the knowledge that it has taken over a week to fail to do something he would normally be able to complete in under 10 minutes is yet one more frustration on top of the pile. It is growing incresingly difficult for him to maintain his temper, to keep to the social niceties and not just snap at the next comment, change into the wolf and howl at the door. But for now he bides his time with pacing and thinking up excessively creative means of revenge.*
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2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:25 pm (UTC)Good afternoon, Peter!
*His greeting receives no response.*
I said, good afternoon, Peter.
*Still no response. John gets up to check that Peter hasn't managed to sneak out while Lindsay was in charge.*
Peter, I do hope you're still there...
*He spots Peter at his desk, bent over his work and very pointedly not paying John any attention. John sighs and goes back to his paperwork, determined to try and start a conversation. Every one of his attempts is met by silence, yet he always leaves a pause, should Peter suddenly deign John working of conversation.*
How are you today Peter?
I'm fine, thank you for asking - as are Sally and the children. Sally wanted to come down earlier to say good morning, but we had to dash.
How's the paperwork coming along? Not too tedious, I hope? Then again, you did so enjoy your time at that department, it must be a thrill to catch up on its goings on again.
We've not been up to that much - the children are back at school now, and Freddie's already decided that "Tory" is an appropriate insult to use of his fellow classmates and staff alike.
Actually, today we went out (all of us) on a charity walk for Ambitious About Autism through Highgate Wood. Lovely day for it. Very sunny and not at all chilly.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:33 pm (UTC)Enough! It has been twelve days since I was last allowed out of this cell. I do not wish to hear about your walk, about the pleasant weather or the agreeable views.
If you will not deign to allow me more than 24 square metres of floorspace, you could at least do me the kindness of not taunting me with tales of how far you are permitted to roam.
*He turns back to his work, trying to remember the thread of his thoughts before John's interruption.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:35 pm (UTC)...if you want to go for a stroll, all you have to do is ask, Peter.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:42 pm (UTC)The Librarian's court is half the size of this room and I have already explored the entirity of what the forecourt has to offer.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:54 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 02:57 pm (UTC)Fine.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:05 pm (UTC)...the device?
Jolly good.
*John takes out his wand and, from a distance, casts a few charms around the car park exits (normally, Peter would be able to break through these in an instant, but with the collar firmly in place, they have the potential to slow him down just long enough for John to knock Peter unconscious). He then lowers the wards around Peter's room for just long enough to allow Peter out of the cell. They snap back as soon as Peter has crossed the threshold.*
Come along, then, Peter.
*Very carefully, John ushers Peter to Speakers' Court, all the while making sure his wand is pointed right at Peter, should he try anything he shouldn't.*
*Eventually, they make it to the car park.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:13 pm (UTC)It is not as warm as it had been last time Peter was outside and his wanderings are impeded by the large humber of cars crammed into spaces. He resists the urge to find out who they belong to and sabotage accordingly- it would undoubtedly earn him a quick trip back to the cell.
Instead, he scans the windows, looking for signs of life. It is a Saturday, so most of the staff will be at home, but one cannot be too careful and Peter suspects John hasn't bothered to cast a 'notice-me-not' charm.
His suspicions are confirmed when he sees first one, then two more small faces peering down from a window above. Peter waves and grins broadly as even Jemima waves back.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:18 pm (UTC)*John suddenly turns very pale.*
Peter, we have to leave. Now.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:20 pm (UTC)Why, whatever is the matter?
*He peers closer*
You're white as a sheet, John. Do you need to sit down?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:24 pm (UTC)Leave. Now.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:30 pm (UTC)I... I am their uncle...
*He makes an irritable hand gesture as John tries to reply*
No, no, I realise not biologically, but really...
*Any further reponse Peter was planning to make is cut off by squeals of 'Uncle Peter!' as the children run into the court.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:36 pm (UTC)If you so much as flinch as though you're about to change, I won't hesitate to-
*His threat is cut off as Freddie wins the race to Peter and runs into the werewolf's leg.*
*John's grip tightens on his wand and doesn't for an instant take his eyes off Peter.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:39 pm (UTC)Hello. I know, I haven't seen you for ages too.
Hello Oliver. Yes it was very good of you to wait for Jemima. Hello Jemima.
*He crouches down, still holding Freddie, so that he's closer to Oliver's height.*
I hear you all started school again? How was it?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:42 pm (UTC)*Even if everything goes well and his children don't end up either dead or as werewolf, Sally is going to murder John when she finds out about this...*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:45 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:49 pm (UTC)Perhaps now would be a good time to go back upstairs, hmm, children?
No, not with Uncle Peter - Uncle Peter and I have some very important things to discuss elsewhere.
...No, Oliver, we can't discuss them at home.
Because it isn't possible!
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:54 pm (UTC)*Peter nudges a now somewhat sleepy Freddie towards the door.*
I'm sure I'll see you again at... some point.
*He raises an eyebrow at Oliver's obdurate expression.*
Fewer questions, more getting your younger brother into bed before he falls asleep on the tarmac, young man.
*He waves goodbye as they wander back though the door and upstairs.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 03:57 pm (UTC)Back to your room, Peter. Now.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:01 pm (UTC)Very well.
*Peter walks as calmly, steadily and as unthreateningly as possible back to his cell. Once back within the wards, he thanks John politely for the chance to get some fresh air.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:04 pm (UTC)*He then summons a large pot of tea along with a full plate of biscuits to calm his nerves.*
*Out of habit more than anything, he asks Peter if he would like a cup.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:08 pm (UTC)...yes?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:11 pm (UTC)*He then goes back to his own plate and eats slightly less than half the chocolate biscuits he has left in a single go.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:15 pm (UTC)He waits for John to say something, at the rate John's going through the biscuits it shouldn't be long now.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:17 pm (UTC)How're the BIS briefs, Peter? Just as you remember them?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:21 pm (UTC)Not quite. It is a very dynamic area.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:25 pm (UTC)Good. Good...
*John desperately tries to think of another conversation topic but all that comes to mind is revolves around how very easily something could have gone wrong in the car park. As such, John decides that remaining silent would probably be the best course of action.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:28 pm (UTC)*He pauses, wondering how best to frame the events of today to ensure he is allowed out again.*
...it is somewhat monotonous. Today's excursion was a welcome respite.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:33 pm (UTC)Moreover, if you're getting cabin fever, do not simply wait for one of your guards to pick up on it - we cannot read minds! - but instead inform us of your predicament and we shall see what we can do to alleviate the problem.
DEFRA may not hold werewolves in the highest regard, but they will intervene in a case of neglect if they have to.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 04:49 pm (UTC)*He scowls and considers pointing out that his guards hardly intervened when Fiona Millar tied him to a door, so he doubts any pleas to be let outside will be met with anything other than derision, but that would mean admitting to John that he'd allowed himself to be tied to a door, and Peter isn't in the mood for that humiliation either.*
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 05:38 pm (UTC)If you wish to have someone else take you on and be your legal guardian in the hopes that you'll get to go out for walks wherever and whenever you like, then I will fetch the forms in an instant and have you transferred on Monday. However, I hardly think it would do you any good in the long term.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 05:48 pm (UTC)As for working out how this came to pass- if you will allow me the freedom of my laboratory I can find out. Otherwise your guess is as good as mine.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 05:54 pm (UTC)Peter, I cannot let you into your lab unsupervised. At all. That is out of the question.
What may be possible is for you to go there with someone who actually understands what it is you are doing - namely, Vince. However, he is ever so slightly busy at the moment being in coalition and running one of the biggest departments in the country. Unless I administer a truth potion to you and have a guard or two watching you, there is no possible way you are going to get into your lab, Peter.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:00 pm (UTC)You know as well as I do that truth potions are highly risky and give unreliable results. There's a reason that even this government doesn't consider them suitable for interrogative use.
...would you be satisfied with two guards and a binding? As you say, Vince is busy. The only way it will be possible to determine the cause and potentially prevent future outbreaks would be for me to do the research.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:07 pm (UTC)I'll seek advice from Frances on this matter. I can't promise anything.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:11 pm (UTC)*He hesitates, wondering how far to press his luck*
It was good to see Freddie, Oliver and Jemima again today. I know you probably will not believe it, but they were never in any danger.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:12 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:14 pm (UTC)If you do not believe the potion has any effect, why continue to ask me to drink it daily?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:17 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:20 pm (UTC)What further proof do you require?
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:24 pm (UTC)When you boil down the argument to its bare bones, this is the result: I do not currently trust you to be around my children for a prolonged period of time. You may argue all you like - and I'm sure you will - but you cannot and will not make me feel like an appalling individual for putting the safety of my children above all else, Peter.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:30 pm (UTC)I wasn't aware Westminster Palace had the facilities. Unless that's the point? I can't leave the grounds without a brain scan, I can't obtain a brain scan... without leaving the grounds.
Fine. But I see no reason why some secluded park or base should not be sufficiently difficult for the public to locate as to be safe for a brief stroll.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:36 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:38 pm (UTC)You told me that if I wished to leave the cell, I should ask. I have done so.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:40 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:41 pm (UTC)And rejected*Peter inclines his head.*
Thank you.
Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 06:44 pm (UTC)Re: 2 p.m.
Date: 2012-09-15 07:28 pm (UTC)