Mid-September

[alt_sinistra]

In New London for the afternoon, a combination of errands and catching up with two of my sisters. It is amazing how quickly things fall into place after just a week or two back at school, really - I’ve been working tidily through my list and plans, and it’s so satisfying to see things checked off.

The weather, alas, not so much - we’ve had some glorious stargazing weather the last week, but I’m afraid it’s the last gasps before the far more uncertain days of the fall and winter.

Temp - thanks again for rounding more of those up. And for the other set of used-book searching, too. Gilly - no worries that you had to cancel, I found other company, but next week? Could do lunch at one.

Comments

Private message to Narcissa Malfoy and Arca Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Narcissa, Mum -

I’ve arranged an appointment at Young & Miller for half-three next Tuesday. (Sorry, Mum, but it’s the the latest slot they had open that worked.) I do hope you both can come - if not, I’ll resort to sketches by owl or something. I’ve already let Diane know, too. The planner meetings were interesting. More once Raz and I’ve had a chance to talk.

Mum - would love to pick your brain at some point. Dolores Umbridge is trying all the same status and influence games Auntie Alphecca and cousin Cally do. I’m woefully out of practice with people outside of family in that particular mode, and I could use your greater experience. Owl with details soon as I get a chance, and some specific questions. You more than Dad, but I’ve a couple for him.

In brief, I’m trying to get her to “You show signs of being a potentially competent adult” rather than “Let me run your life for you, dear.” (Modest ambitions, I know, but I’ll start there.) Currently trying the “Let me make unassailably sensible suggestions that allow you to look good” approach, but I can’t quite bring myself to the flattery that works with Auntie A. I could stand to have more options ready to go, but I can’t tell if it should be firm resolve or perky offers of help on my terms or what.

Narcissa, it might amuse you too, mind, but I’m afraid our Hufflepuff bluntness entirely confuses sometimes. (She was rather venomous Sunday, and Raz is still fuming on my behalf.) And Dolores is not the most subtle player I’ve ever seen, which is less a help than one would think.

Right. One or two more notes, then supper. Mum, much love to the family. Narcissa, I do hope I'll see you next week, but if not, do let me know a good Tuesday afternoon, and I'd love to chat more.

A.

Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Raz, love.

Are you sure you trust me to plan this thing without making a hash of it? I’m not sure I do. (On the other hand, I’m the one with a weekday afternoon free, so I don’t know that we’ve a great deal of choice.) Can I also say how much I already hate the “You’ve been dreaming of this day all your life, you should have everything you ever wanted.” First, I haven’t. And second, what I want at the end of the day is you. Everything else is negotiable.

Anyway. One planner all about the most splendid thing, no expense spared, even when it’d be entirely wrong. Most of her pet ideas would give you security nightmares and we don’t need that, even if I agreed with her tastes (and I don’t - all massive opulence and the wrong symbol sets and all.)

Next one all about her connections and family - but she pushed one of the caterers Temp says we must avoid. (She worked in their kitchens briefly.) And all sharp and modern and … I’m my father’s daughter, and I don’t trust her accounting methods at all. (I may have worked my way to the necessity of you paying for the thing, but I can’t bring myself to spend money stupidly.)

Then the last, who I want if you agree and her references check out. Tallie Powell. She’s young - five years younger than me - but she’s worked for other planners. Broke off to start her own business this spring. This’d be her first big wedding on her own, but... she listened. Asked really intelligent questions. Thought about us as people, not some fantasy ideal couple. Had really done her research. (Well, she’s Chimera’s cousin, I’m not surprised by that part.)

Tell you more when I get back tonight. Gilly had to cancel on me, but Sage wants a word, privately. Expect I’ll be back by eight or so, and wait in your rooms. (And you’re likely to find me in bed in the morning, too, I think.)

Your Rory

Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout

[alt_sinistra]

Three planners today, not four, because the one Narcissa suggested was all “So sorry, I’m not available for at least a few weeks.” Polite brush-off, but I could see what it was.

Anyway. The first was all hearty and .. well. Elaborate office, best of everything, and the grandest plans imaginable. Winged chariots descending from the sky, tulle draped cherubs, out of season flowers individually charm tinted to match the attendant robes. Daft proposals involving falcons. More than that, I think a number of her suggestions would be security nightmares (and she just brushed past that).

The second one - well, Pomona, do you remember Briony Fleet? She was about a year behind Diane. Not improved by age and all wanting to push her friends and connections. Except that - well, Temp gave me a list of caterers I absolutely must avoid. Among whom were the ones Briony recommended. (Temp has a ranking system of the kitchens most likely to treat their female and muggleborn staff badly, and they’re near top of the list.)

Beyond that, there was something off in her approach to accounting - all the language that makes it easier to hide skimming that Dad’s taught me. And that was before she got to the bit about product placement. All shiny and modern and sharp, but entirely lacking any sense of history in more than one way.

The last one, though - you might both remember Tallie Powell, left school in 86. She’d been doing event planning for Harrod’s, struck off on her own this spring. She’s young, and this would be her first big wedding, but - she’s the only who made me feel like she’d actually thought about the specifics. Us, as opposed to some generic couple. Yet. She is really young. And it’s not as if I really know what I’m doing. And I’m quite sure Narcissa - and various others - will make a meal of it if anything goes wrong.

Poppy: Can I put off my obligatory annual visit to you till Friday? I’m free 3 till supper. And Pomona, thank you again for Sunday. Right. Sage’s here. I’ll be back tonight, if you need anything, though Raz is expecting me as soon as he’s done with duelling club.

Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_umbridge]

Poppy -

I do wonder if you might be able to spare a little time to help both Aurora and I with a question.

We had quite the conversation in the journals with Aurora Sunday night and Monday, but she raised several points I’ve been thinking over, and I wasn’t able to catch you today. She did say that you’d mentioned something to her about our dear students and sleep, and that there were sound reasons that early morning activities had not historically gone over well.

Would you perhaps be willing to expand, here, so I can better understand the issues? And Aurora, I'm asking here of course to make it easier for you to share what you'd been thinking if Poppy has questions.

Dolores

Private Message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_antonin]

Happy birthday, my dear. I hope it is a pleasant one.

And yes, damn you, I'll take whichever of those infernal novels you've finished -- how DO they make them so compelling? Objectively speaking, they're awful, and yet I can't stop reading them -- and will look forward to hearing the trials and travails of wedding planning. At supper with Pomona last night, it became clear that I should be forcing myself to meals more regularly, at very least to keep the various Heads updated with what's happening in my classes, so I will be making more of an effort to achieve supper even if lunch is not likely; you can tell me then. (And of course there's the staff meeting tonight; I can teach you the game then, though perhaps after this week's setbacks I should make more of an effort to put my best foot forward and save the delinquency for later in the year. The superstitious fool in me is bracing himself for a third disaster, and hoping that by saying so I haven't just hexed myself; the students are doing that quite enough this week.)

At least my plans for most classes today involve nothing more dangerous than a lecture!

Wishing you blessed with many happy returns of the day,
T