RP: Short notice

[pb_rabastan]

Characters: Rabastan Lestrange & Pansy Parkinson
Location: The apartment/respective --> Pansy's apartment
Date: 26th April 2000
Status/Warning: Private/swearing
Summary: News gets around fast
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[pb_pansy]

Pansy tossed another sketch into the rubbish bin. The idea was far too Muggle even for the line of sportswear she was designing for active witches. She reconsidered and used her wand to fetch it back again. Looking at it critically, Pansy decided she liked the concept enough to keep it. She might find a use for her Muggle-styled designs later. She had just set it aside when Gully and Fizza popped in looking contrite. The pair had been send off to give Tony's Rabastan's flat its weekly cleaning since he and his brother had their house elf Till with them. Pansy thought that having her elves take care of the flat was the least she could do after disappearing on them

[pb_rabastan]

The furore that kicked off at the reappearance of the other house elf that Till had categorically told to leave and stop upsetting her order continued for several minutes. Leaning against the kitchen counter, Rabastan watched with a raised eyebrow, taking the time to finish his coffee and summon his cigarettes before reminding them both he was indeed still in the apartment.

"Yes, I know," he pre-empted anything the elf was about to say and tugged the letter from its grip. In what looked like an effort to be infinitely more prepared to do her job than the trespasser, Till had already appeared with paper and a pen, and was switching between her usual doting expression to glaring at Gully. Admittedly, the latter was hilarious, but Rabastan was rather more concerned with why in the name of all things sacred Parkinson wanted to have dinner with him.

Using his thigh as a desk, he scrawled his reply and handed it back to the elf.

Dinner where?

[pb_pansy]

Where. Where? Rabastan Lestrange was a man of taste and refinement. Pansy needed something he would enjoy and would set the proper mood. She stood with her fingers on her lips while she ran through her mental list of London's finest dining establishments trying to find the most suitable one that would show she understood his need for the finer things in life. He must be desperate for good food and charming company after being away so long. Pansy intended to provide him with both.

Rabastan,

Say Claridge's at seven? Would you like me to send an appropriate suit and tie?

Yours,
Pansy

She felt confident that her connections there could secure her a reservation for this evening. "Gully, take this back and wait for a reply."

[pb_rabastan]

"Is she fucking about here?" The question was rhetorical, he knew she was perfectly serious, but he still looked at the elf as if the sullen wretch could or would clarify anything. This time his other thigh became the desk, but only because Till was taking up his elbow-space.

In public? With a tie?

Define 'appropriate' and I'll tell you whether I need the charity.

To think he had almost forgotten she had no sense of self preservation. The clothing he would have to consider, if only because the travelling and 'exercise' -- people made excellent punchbags -- meant he was a little bulkier than before. A little. Now he had muscle rather than merely the frame on which to hang it. But it did mean some of his older shirts might not fit properly.

"Yes, all right, take the damn thing." He folded the paper and poked it at the elf's face, glaring. He was getting irritated already.

[pb_pansy]

Pansy left everything as it was. She considered taking the Floo back to her flat. She only had about five hours to prepare. She would need to bathe, exfoliate, do her hair, nails, makeup, decide on an appropriate gown or negligee, and make sure her brandy and and cigar supply was adequate. On second though, she would solve the brandy and cigar issue before going home by picking up additional supplies first. It never hurt to have extra on hand. Rabastan was occasionally unpredictable

[pb_rabastan]

Rabastan spent those hours continuing with his usual schedule -- drinking coffee, smoking, ranting to himself and trying to remember where else he needed to check for Rodolphus. Clothing became an issue only after Till politely and very humbly pointed out what time it was. Sleeves were rolled up, tie was loose and his top button was undone. Mostly because he couldn't be bothered fixing them. Travelling with Rod had rendered his usual dress code fairly lax. As for the suit jacket, it didn't fit properly, so it had been abandoned. Cigarettes and wand were stashed in charmed pockets. He still felt overdressed despite the fact this wasn't supposed to be a social call as much as the first chance at revenge he could get. And yet.

Faced with Pansy's door, Rabastan habitually rolled his shoulders and neck before knocking.

[pb_pansy]

Pansy composed herself. It was difficult considering how excited she was to be seeing dear Rabastan again. She knew he didn't like being gushed all over.

She opened the door and smiled brightly, inviting her guest in. "You look divine. Do come in. I'm very happy you weren't eaten." She closed the door behind him. "You weren't bit by one of those awful werewolves your brother was after, were you? I was terribly frightened," she batted her eyes as she reminded herself not to throw herself at him in relief. He looked healthy.

[pb_rabastan]

At the first remark, Rabastan automatically checked himself before giving her a look that really did question whether she had hit her head. Or if she had another reason for overcompensating. But since his return to 'civilisation' his social filter had come down again, so he didn't mention the possible concussion. He took a moment to look past her into the apartment for any sign of Aurors before stepping over the threshold. "Me too."

"No, I'm not a halfbreed," he answered with a touch of impatience. As if he would ever show his face anywhere ever again if that had been the case. 'Terribly frightened'? He snorted. "Running like that is not always the best of ideas," he remarked idly, looking for the exits. If she had managed to set a trap, he was going to kill her. "It is potentially very damaging."