Private message to Raz
May. 19th, 2012 02:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraAre you as swamped with last minute panic over OWLs as I am? I certainly want drink and distraction tonight. And good grief, Capper. A few things, so I don’t forget them later.
First: If you met Victoriana on a Tuesday afternoon in New London, you could use meeting up with me after as an excuse if she tried to drag the conversation out uncomfortably. (And if we had supper somewhere public after, it might also squash any gossip before it starts.)
Do you need ideas on locations? I think Campanella and I have eaten recently at several places near the Ministry that suit a visibly public but actually private conversation that might suit.
Second: I keep coming back to the transcripts from the April YPL meeting. Would you be willing to have a look at them - one bit in particular? Something’s still nagging at me about Stint in there. I’ve got the full transcript, plus my and Felix’s notes on body language and tone of voice.
(Doesn’t have to happen this weekend. But if there is something, I’d want to figure out the next step sooner than later.)
Third: Have any of your friends or relations expressed a desire to entertain you for your birthday? (I am sorry I’ve the YPL thing in the afternoon, but of course when we set the schedule, I had no idea I’d want to be otherwise occupied.) I'd understand if you want a night in New London or elsewhere without me, you know.
But if not, I’ve some plans of my own I’d like to finalise. You deserve a particularly excellent birthday this year, after all.
First: If you met Victoriana on a Tuesday afternoon in New London, you could use meeting up with me after as an excuse if she tried to drag the conversation out uncomfortably. (And if we had supper somewhere public after, it might also squash any gossip before it starts.)
Do you need ideas on locations? I think Campanella and I have eaten recently at several places near the Ministry that suit a visibly public but actually private conversation that might suit.
Second: I keep coming back to the transcripts from the April YPL meeting. Would you be willing to have a look at them - one bit in particular? Something’s still nagging at me about Stint in there. I’ve got the full transcript, plus my and Felix’s notes on body language and tone of voice.
(Doesn’t have to happen this weekend. But if there is something, I’d want to figure out the next step sooner than later.)
Third: Have any of your friends or relations expressed a desire to entertain you for your birthday? (I am sorry I’ve the YPL thing in the afternoon, but of course when we set the schedule, I had no idea I’d want to be otherwise occupied.) I'd understand if you want a night in New London or elsewhere without me, you know.
But if not, I’ve some plans of my own I’d like to finalise. You deserve a particularly excellent birthday this year, after all.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-19 07:32 pm (UTC)I'll look at the transcript, sure. You can give it to me tonight. Anything in particular you want me to pay attention to? Aside from signs of Stint being a complete arse, that is?
Oh, I don't know about birthdays, no one's said anything to me. With the recent news that I might be father to a fifteen year old girl, I'm feeling decidedly old and not particularly happy about celebrating my approaching antiquity.
You know, Barty asked if Bole had gotten her pregnant. Bloody Erebus, if that were the case, I'd be a bludgering grandfather. Merlin have mercy on-
Have I mentioned that you're taking this all very well?
no subject
Date: 2012-05-19 07:56 pm (UTC)Really, it's as much growing up in an absurdly large extended family, and knowing the places people try to make a meal out of the most innocent tidbits as anything else. But you and Narcissa (and the YPL work), yes, have shown me some ways to manage it a bit more gracefully. Let me think about where for supper, but yes. I was thinking relaxed and happy rather than blatantly romantic.
On the transcript: I'd rather not tell you beforehand if you don't mind, beyond that it's about what questions he asks. If you truly don't see anything, maybe I can set it aside and stop poking at it.
As far as taking it very well, honestly, love. You were young. It's clear you had no idea, or you'd not be this way about it.
Did you make some careless choices? Yes. But people do. It's part of becoming an adult. (And besides, it does take two to produce children, so there's responsibility on her side, too.)
And if in this case, it involves a young woman growing up with a family who loved her, (my brother knew Philip at school, and I know he's a good sort) and resources and all that, it's scarcely the worst possible outcome. Much as sorting out the truth is a good idea.
Right. Happier topics. I won't make a fuss, then, but I think you'll like your present. Do you need to stay here, or could we get away for a night, do you think? (And if so, I'm guessing from the above you might prefer somewhere other than Spence and New London.)
Think of it as celebrating a year of you being alive and well and all the wonderful things of the year, rather than you being ancient. (Which you're not.)
no subject
Date: 2012-05-20 12:30 am (UTC)No, understood. Not that my own biases won't colour my perspective, but it's probably best I not know your thoughts in advance. And if you need someone to get you to set it aside and stop poking at it, I'm doubly happy to take it out of your hands.
She does seem to have grown up well enough. Part of me feels it's a shame Vic couldn't have let things be and kept her uncertainties to herself, as it quite seems to have undone the girl these last few months, if her little downward trajectory is any indication.
But then- secrets that heavy... I suppose they're bound to get out, eventually.
I'm sure I will adore my present to bits. You've got a good record, there. And I see no reason why we shouldn't be able to slip away if I can plan around it in advance- provided my old-man memory lets me remember to do so.
no subject
Date: 2012-05-20 12:42 am (UTC)Thanks, on the transcript. It's just - well, you know how when you write a word over and over, and all of a sudden you're sure you're spelling it wrong, even though you aren't? It's like that. If you say there's nothing to it, I'll trust you.
You're quite right on the difficult few months: I can't imagine living with that for so long. (Rather impressive she managed as well as she did, really.) I do feel particularly bad about the YPL counsellor position now, too. That, and the Gryffindor boys are the two I think are going to haunt me wondering if I made the right decision.
Right. Let me send a quick owl about the place I have in mind for next Saturday, and then I should be able to come down for the night, transcripts and all.