Russian roulette is not the same without a gun

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*Electricity is a funny thing. It can do so much, and yet it's so very easy to disrupt. Such are the woes of the proprietors of Maurice's, an upscale café that tries to look more edgy than fancy, and fails. It can't quite shake the air of snobbery infecting the area, the taint of We-Have-Too-Much-Money. Maybe it's the silk ascots; maybe it's the disproportionate number of Italian shoes. At any rate, no one thinks to notice the young man slipping out of the alley next to the building, in his new wingtips and old waistcoat, his button-down a bit rumpled and his trousers mended here and there. By the time anyone notices the breaker box on the back wall sparking and smoking, he's vanished into the crowds.

He takes the long way 'round back through some side-streets, timing it so that he walks up to Maurice's - again - about five minutes after he's agreed to meet Amrita there. Perfectly late, perfectly nonchalant, as he strolls up to the café, pretending to be unaware of the frustrated owners and the 'closed for maintenance' sign now hanging on the door.*

Comments

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*She's only just arrived when Remus strolls up, a few minutes late despite the cafe's close proximity to home. Amrita's frowning politely at the sign and looking a good deal more subdued than their last meeting, having traded in her riot of pleated silks for a smart gray dress. But the fit is immaculate, and her jewelry is appropriately small and tasteful but it certainly isn't paste, that's for sure. And she's still wearing sindoor (every day, without fail) and alta on her hands; she's gotten back into the habit, now that she can look however she pleases.

As a result the Muggles milling around the cafe are looking ever-so-slightly sideways at her moneyed strangeness--but she's completely unconscious of them, as if they are flies or potted plants. It's only when she spots Remus that she smiles.*

Hello. It's closed, apparently. Something wrong with the, ah-

*She circles one red-tipped finger in the air, groping for the word.*

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*The act is executed flawlessly. First there's a pleasant smile, which falls away quickly to a small frown as he looks at the sign for himself.*

Electricity.

*He should know; he's the one who just Vanished a pair of wire snips back to the flat.*

Well - that's bad timing.

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

I should think so. Hrm.

I'm not sure there's another place 'round here, unless we--

*But it's all proper restaurants, and none very good. The nearest halfway decent cafe is four blocks over--or is it five, she can't remember exactly--and it looks like it's threatening to rain. Her little frown deepens, but it's more fretful than angry.*

Oh, I wish they'd figure out a way around it, or something--honestly--

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

- Well, it's worth asking, hang on -

*He makes a good show of it. Tapping on the window, he flags over a hassled-looking waiter and has a quick, through-the-door conversation regarding outages and the power company and 'closed for the rest of the day at least.' It's with a small shrug that he returns to Amrita, looking regretful and playing his cards carefully. He's got a very specific target here, but it won't do to put too fine a point on it.*

No luck, they don't even know what's wrong with it. I would suggest my flat, but it's a bit of a hike to Southwark, I'm sorry. Is there anything else around here?

*There isn't. He's already checked into that.*

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*She fiddles a little awkwardly with her purse as Remus talks to the waiter, and by the time he turns around she's already made up her mind. It'll be fine; the flat is warded and safe and Evan is out so there's nobody to surprise. Anyway, she isn't too keen on meeting Mrs. Lupin The Muggle, whoever-she-is, and she knows Evan wouldn't be all that keen on it, either--*

Don't be ridiculous. We'll go to the flat, it's only just 'round the corner. Do you mind?

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*Like taking candy from a baby. The sharp satisfaction is hidden beneath the edge of a slightly surprised look.*

Oh - no, Amrita, I'd hate to impose -

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*But she's already walking, with a sisterly little tug at his sleeve so that he'll follow her.*

Psh. It's very close. You can meet the bar.

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*He follows obediently, thinking that Sirius is probably having a fit right about now - they'd discussed this plan, and the fact that it is probably a stupidly dangerous plan, last night. He doesn't have to fake his little double-take at her, though, certain he's heard wrong.*

- Meet the what?

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

The bar. It's very nice, you'll see. And I can show you that book I was telling you about, that plays music for you as you read-

It's not far, just there, see?

*She points at the rather majestic building they're heading towards. It hails from when factories were built more like temples or castles--but it obviously hasn't been a factory in quite some time.*

And how've you been?

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

Fine, thanks. My wrist is - well -

*He holds it up a bit; with his cuffs rolled back to the elbow, the bandage is plainly visible.*

I had a bit of a go at it this time but it's not too bad. And other than that I've been well. Hazel's good, too. You?

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*At once, she makes a small and sympathetic little noise, her brow creasing. Perhaps he hasn't got a contraption like the one she once used--and if his wife, Hazel apparently, is a Muggle she can't be any use at all helping him. It hadn't been often that her own measures had failed, but she remembers vividly what it's like to wake up bleeding and gashed open from hip to knee.*

Oh, how awful. Don't you have a thing you can use, stop yourself biting?

It's just up here.

*They're in the building, now, and she leads him into a bronze-latticed lift much like the one they shared the day they met.*

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*Following, he shrugs and gives a little vague gesture.*

I do, it's just not fool-proof. I don't handle restraints very well, I'm afraid, I nearly broke my own neck once as a child. Usually the alternative works out, though, this is as bad as it ever gets these days.

*Sirius can't very well pin him to the floor the entire night - appealing as that prospect might be under other circumstances - and accidents happen. This month he'd just gotten distracted from play-fighting and (as usual) frustrated at the lack of exits. He'd been calmer back when they'd been able to roam free; the wolf doesn't respond well to captivity, and it's more of a constant struggle to keep it occupied in close quarters. Sirius's presence still helps him keep some of his sanity, but it can't undo the drive to get out, to run, to hunt.

He smiles, dryly, and fingers the fastening on the bandage gently.*

Believe me, I've had worse.

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

I believe it. I'm a mess all down my side here, and it only failed once or twice when I was younger. I've always used it, since, you know. It cut down on most of the, ah, messier bits. So I'd stay presentable. I only really would bounce off the walls, and that isn't so bad, considering.

*Amrita is very conspicuously avoiding the word muzzle; still, it's easier to talk about when she's looking ahead at the lift shaft crawling evenly downwards on the other side of the bronze lattice. She speaks softly, now, almost inaudible over the clanking of the old-fashioned lift.*

It's difficult, isn't it, for the wolf be held back from what it's meant to do?

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*They're all more or less appropriate for Trois-Echelles. It's a little bit of a wine bar and a little bit of a restaurant, and it isn't exactly formal--still, it's unmistakably, irrevocably swanky and very French, and there isn't anything close to a Muggle-born in sight, just candles in little nooks and peculiar art on the walls and wealthy witches and wizards chatting at small tables. Amrita successfuly Side-Alonged Remus without a bit of trouble, and now they're being ushered to their place by a sleek black-robed waitress who's every bit as decorative as the furnishings.*

--the test was something else, you should've seen it. Me and a roomful of seventeen-year-olds! Most of them had parents around.

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*It is impressive; six months ago she couldn't even do a simple summoning charm. He just isn't sure that Amrita being more capable is a good thing anymore. Still, he plays his part and smiles.*

That's very good! You're making great progress, that's wonderful.

*When they reach the table he grabs his chance, looking between Amrita and Rosier and smiling again politely.*

If you'll excuse me - I'll be right back.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

Of course.

*Evan watches Lupin makes his escape, and then looks to his wife.*

What was his wife's name again? I'm sure you've mentioned it, but I've forgotten.

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

Ehm. Hazel. Don't know about her surname.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

Hm. If she's a muggle I wouldn't know it anyway, so it doesn't matter. Have you met her?

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

Don't suppose it does. And no, of course not.

Apparently they met at a market or something, she dropped all her shopping.

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*There's a narrow corridor at the back of the dining room, with the kitchen at the end and the loos to the left and - to the right, opposite those - the polishing room. It's small and dim, full of racks and shelves of stemware, and it is, at the moment, thankfully empty. Shutting and locking the door behind him, Remus quickly refocuses his attention and concentrates hard.

An instant later, halfway across London, a silver, spectral dog bounds into the living room of their flat. Ears pricked, it looks gravely at Sirius, and Remus's voice fills the room. He sounds tense but collected, if in something of a rush.*

Things didn't go as planned, Rosier came home early and they insisted on dinner out and I couldn't duck out of it without being suspicious. I'm going to try and see if I can get any more information out of them, but if I'm not home by eight, come find me. Until then just wait, I'm fine. Don't do anything stupid, Sirius, I mean it.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

It takes all sorts, I suppose. Is he still tutoring?

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

I didn't get that impression. It wouldn't surprise me if he couldn't find anyone to tutor, the way the laws are now.

[dapperdeath.livejournal.com]

No, I suppose not, although--ah, garçon--

*In rapid-fire French, Evan orders a bottle for the table--nothing too fancy--and steak tartare for each of them. That should hold Lupin's interest.*

[looneyloopy.livejournal.com]

*Trusting that the message got through - and trusting Sirius not to be stupid enough to send one back - Remus returns to the table a moment later and takes his seat, looking around mildly.*

This is a nice place.

[cellarandmoon.livejournal.com]

*And it begins, the intricate bee-dance that is dinner at a very expensive restaurant. A handsome breadbasket appears along with the wine and sparkling water; glasses fill themselves, gilt menus and the appropriate silverware materialize of their own accord, and so do suitably attractive waitstaff bearing tartare complete with precious little toast points and quail's egg.

Amrita's unmoved by any of it--part of the dance too, in its own way, and she is very good at it.*

We went ahead--plenty of other things to start with, though, take a look--