RP/OWL: To Jack Sloper
Date: 15 January 2005
Characters: Jack Sloper and Julian Avery
Location: The Gildery Shoppe & Jack's place of business
Status: Private
Summary: It's been awhile, but Julian believes he has all the information required to start the next phase in his business plan - building the forge. The question now: is Jack still up to the challenge?
Completion: Incomplete
"Shhh, love, go back to sleep," Julian cajoled in his softest, smoothest voice. There came a slight grunt from the lump laying next to him in their bed, but thankfully Gilderoy fell back into sleep. Since coming back from hospital, it hadn't been easy to get the man to rest properly. It'd taken little compromises - such as writing business correspondences in bed - to get him to stay put as his wounds healed. As Julian watched Gildergoy gingerly snuggle more up against him, however, he smiled gently. In some ways, it was rather nice having the unconscious support. Especially as he contemplated the issues involved with this particular business letter.
It was the first correspondence to be initiated with Jack Sloper since the Weasley Yuletide party.
Julian had no clue what Ginny Weasley had told her significant other. Nor what Jack's reaction would be to having business dealings with a former Death Eater.
Truth be told, Julian didn't blame anyone their reactions. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to accompany Gilderoy. If Julian had known where they were going and just who 'Ginger' was, he would have made an excuse. It didn't matter now, that was all in the past. Considering the situation, things hadn't gone as badly as they could have. No-one got hexed, which was the best he could have hoped for at the time.
Still, this was a fine example of his secret fear in starting over in Stoatshead Hill, that his reputation might harm their fledgling business venture. With the First War, he'd had an acquittal. More importantly, though, he'd had established, financially stable businesses that had been in the family for generations. This time he was starting from the ground up, and reputation was better than gold for the success of a first-time business. True, if Jack turned down his business, Julian could always go with an outside contractor. It would take additional time and money, however. And it would mean the loss of an important local connection. Depending on how bad the blood was now, it could also spell bad PR.
Besides, Julian rather liked the bloke.
Well, there was no getting around it but to write and see. The forge wasn't going to build itself. He certainly didn't trust his own expertise, or more importantly the lack thereof. With another fond grin to Gilderoy at the sound of a sleepy snort, Julian picked up his quill.
Dear Mr. Sloper,
I first want to say I hope the new year has been profitable and peaceful for you. Since last we talked business, I've been busy gathering the information you requested concerning the building of a forge. If you are still interested in the commission, please read the attached information. It comes from a former colleague of mine, who has experience working with such instruments in a commercial capacity. You'll see they have made a few suggestions for designs, depending on the type and level of output anticipated.
I'll be honest with you, Mr. Sloper, metalwork is somewhat new to me. My experience has been limited to mostly what I can do with a wand, and what I've learned from colleagues. I've done research, of which I've also included the pertinent details. My plans are to go commercial, small scale for the time being. My clientele would be the citizens of Stoatshead Hill. Given that, it goes without saying that the enterprise will be a largely magical affair. I intend to use magical fire to melt down and strengthen preexisting materials left as rubble throughout our town. Depending on the level of success on this undertaking, I will consider other sources for material.
You had suggested a meeting. Should you still be interested, I am available this Wednesday and Thursday, the 17th and 18th of January. If you would like, I can even show you the facility that will house the forge, and the sorts of wards I have already installed. Do let me know what works for you, and if you have any further requirements. In the meantime, be well.
Sincerely,
Julian R. Avery
Characters: Jack Sloper and Julian Avery
Location: The Gildery Shoppe & Jack's place of business
Status: Private
Summary: It's been awhile, but Julian believes he has all the information required to start the next phase in his business plan - building the forge. The question now: is Jack still up to the challenge?
Completion: Incomplete
"Shhh, love, go back to sleep," Julian cajoled in his softest, smoothest voice. There came a slight grunt from the lump laying next to him in their bed, but thankfully Gilderoy fell back into sleep. Since coming back from hospital, it hadn't been easy to get the man to rest properly. It'd taken little compromises - such as writing business correspondences in bed - to get him to stay put as his wounds healed. As Julian watched Gildergoy gingerly snuggle more up against him, however, he smiled gently. In some ways, it was rather nice having the unconscious support. Especially as he contemplated the issues involved with this particular business letter.
It was the first correspondence to be initiated with Jack Sloper since the Weasley Yuletide party.
Julian had no clue what Ginny Weasley had told her significant other. Nor what Jack's reaction would be to having business dealings with a former Death Eater.
Truth be told, Julian didn't blame anyone their reactions. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to accompany Gilderoy. If Julian had known where they were going and just who 'Ginger' was, he would have made an excuse. It didn't matter now, that was all in the past. Considering the situation, things hadn't gone as badly as they could have. No-one got hexed, which was the best he could have hoped for at the time.
Still, this was a fine example of his secret fear in starting over in Stoatshead Hill, that his reputation might harm their fledgling business venture. With the First War, he'd had an acquittal. More importantly, though, he'd had established, financially stable businesses that had been in the family for generations. This time he was starting from the ground up, and reputation was better than gold for the success of a first-time business. True, if Jack turned down his business, Julian could always go with an outside contractor. It would take additional time and money, however. And it would mean the loss of an important local connection. Depending on how bad the blood was now, it could also spell bad PR.
Besides, Julian rather liked the bloke.
Well, there was no getting around it but to write and see. The forge wasn't going to build itself. He certainly didn't trust his own expertise, or more importantly the lack thereof. With another fond grin to Gilderoy at the sound of a sleepy snort, Julian picked up his quill.
Dear Mr. Sloper,
I first want to say I hope the new year has been profitable and peaceful for you. Since last we talked business, I've been busy gathering the information you requested concerning the building of a forge. If you are still interested in the commission, please read the attached information. It comes from a former colleague of mine, who has experience working with such instruments in a commercial capacity. You'll see they have made a few suggestions for designs, depending on the type and level of output anticipated.
I'll be honest with you, Mr. Sloper, metalwork is somewhat new to me. My experience has been limited to mostly what I can do with a wand, and what I've learned from colleagues. I've done research, of which I've also included the pertinent details. My plans are to go commercial, small scale for the time being. My clientele would be the citizens of Stoatshead Hill. Given that, it goes without saying that the enterprise will be a largely magical affair. I intend to use magical fire to melt down and strengthen preexisting materials left as rubble throughout our town. Depending on the level of success on this undertaking, I will consider other sources for material.
You had suggested a meeting. Should you still be interested, I am available this Wednesday and Thursday, the 17th and 18th of January. If you would like, I can even show you the facility that will house the forge, and the sorts of wards I have already installed. Do let me know what works for you, and if you have any further requirements. In the meantime, be well.
Sincerely,
Julian R. Avery