Vic Mulciber (fromdefeat) wrote in disorderic, @ 2017-11-30 20:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | nora cadwallader, victoria mulciber |
WHO: Nora Cadwallader and Vic Mulciber
WHAT: Awkward floo run-ins
WHEN: November 30, early afternoon
WHERE: Port of Dover
Vic wasn’t much a fan of large bodies of water; too large, too deep, too great a reminder of someone’s insignificance in comparison. She especially couldn’t understand why anyone would choose to shove themselves into an unsightly steel trap of a boat alongside 100s of others (with their cars) as a form of transportation. She supposed muggles were just trying their best in the face of all their shortcomings. And a magical person aiming to escape could blend much more easily among that kind of riff raff. Apparently, with muggle travel being unmonitored, many had already done so, using authorized floos to get them as far as they could go. It was not yet a concern of the Ministry, but surveying the numerous ports, airports and crossings would be in the Death Eater’s best interest. So here Vic was, setting additional wards to the floo in the vacant magical coffee shop just up the street from the Port of Dover. Nora, on the other hand, just wanted to go home. She had her cliffs dust (and straight from the source -- if she was going to teach Christopher potions, she was going to do it right) but after a long day up in Montrose, and hating apparation as she did, Nora simply wanted to take the easy route and Floo home. She was a little put out, then, to realize the Floo Authority was fixing up her would-be escape. "Hi, um," she said as politely as she could. "I don't want to bother, but do you know if this is going to take long?" Vic sighed, afforded the space to roll her eyes at the intrusion since her back was to the witch. Could she not complete espionage to better accommodate terrorist acts in peace? “It’ll be a little longer m’am. There's another floo half a --” Vic stopped, recognizing the woman immediately. “Oh.” "Vic!" Nora replied, a little surprised to see her husband's friend there. "Hi! Sorry, I was just … I don't mean to interrupt!" “Nora,” the name sounded odd and unfamiliar coming off of Vic’s tongue. Whatever strange friendship she had with Rhys, did not exactly extend to his wife who Vic barely knew outside of journals. “It’s fine, it’s not --” she frowned. Why the fuck was she so flustered? “Floo Authority is checking some of the access points. We want to ensure that they continue to be used appropriately and safely.” She paused. “What are you doing in Dover?” Nora held up the bag in her hand, feeling sheepish at the question. "Potions ingredients," she said just as it clicked that she didn't need to explain herself at all, and why was her husband's friend acting like she did? "It's best straight from the source." “Oh, sure. I’ll have to take your word for it. I don’t make many potions these days.” Fuck, what an inane comment. What did she do next, ask about the weather? “What is the potion for?” Well, Nora wasn’t about to admit she was trying to teach a wandless Muggleborn teenager in place of his being allowed at Hogwarts, but Victoria didn’t seem like she knew much about potions, so the lie came easily enough. “It’s — actually, I can’t really talk about medical potions I may or may not be making. Patient privacy and all that.” Vic was quick to nod, immediately disinterested if it had anything to do with healing some Quidditch idiot. “Of course. Although I don’t particularly care for Quidditch if you’re worried I might let it slip that a Magpie will be benched for the season.” She smiled a little, like they were in on the same joke. “I know people can lose galleons on that kind of information.” Nora never understood why so many people were so insistent on telling Quidditch players and their support staff that they didn't know much or care about Quidditch. She wasn't sitting there disparaging the Floo to a Network employee, after all. "Well," she said awkwardly, "I still can't actually talk about it." “Right, so you've said.” There was a pause as Vic struggled to think of something to say. So how’s the whole being stalked by a snatcher going? “How’s cadwh -- Rhys? Or you. How are you?” she said instead. "We're good," said Nora, putting the slightest emphasis on the first word. She was never quite sure what to make of the woman's childish almost attempts at flirtation with her husband. She wasn't concerned, of course, or even jealous. Just a little confused. "Just, you know, us and the puffskeins and the Green, same as always. How about you?" Vic raised a brow, catching Nora’s tone. “Oh about the same, trying to do my best to succeed despite the fact that I’m the daughter and younger sister of alleged Death Eaters. I made Deputy Head on my own merits though, so a step forward and away in the right direction. How is business?” Nora studied the woman, unsure again what to make of a statement about Death Eater relatives and a question about her own business all at once, but it put her on edge. "I'm sorry you're going through that," she said, some real sympathy in her voice as she avoided talking further about the Green. "With your family, I mean." Vic was taken aback by the sentiment and visibly uncomfortable. “Well. You can’t choose your family, and sometimes they don’t choose you. Never choose you over some ugly homicidal asshole in robes.” She cleared her throat. “So I’m doing what’s best for me. Anyways, um, thanks.” She paused, feeling like she should reciprocate somehow. “I’m sorry that that snatcher is harassing your family.” Now it was Nora's turn to look uncomfortable. "It is what it is," she said noncommittally. A silence fell between them as Nora chose not to elaborate. What else was there to say? Their problems with Locke were broadcast to anyone who cared to see. She didn't want to dwell on it. Then, just past the point where a regular silence became an awkward one, Nora said, "Well … I don't mean to keep you. I'm sure you're doing … something important." Vic cleared her throat. “Not really, though considering the Ministry’s constraints on transportation, we need to be more attentive about these access points.” She gave a tight smile. “For safety and whatnot. It was, uh, nice to see you.” Nora almost willed herself not to say anything, but something in her couldn't quite resist. "Attentive for what?" she asked, just wanting to hear it confirmed for herself. Vic, who thought Nora might have taken the opportunity to escape, blinked in surprise. “Criminals, known terrorists, persons of interest,” Vic said after a moment, tilting her head slightly as she regarded Nora. She wouldn’t mince words, it was obvious wasn’t it? "Does that happen a lot through the Floo?" Nora continued. She always vaguely assumed the Floo was watched, but she never really considered how that happened. Or that Vic herself would be responsible for it. It put a small pit in her stomach. If Nora knew the things she’d heard and the things she knew. “No,” Vic said instead, gaze steady. “Restricting the number of floos has made sure of that, but sometimes people aren’t careful, or they become desperate.” Vic shrugged. “Don’t worry, we keep a close eye on everything.” Under a different Ministry, Nora would have found that reassuring. Now, it was simply chilling. "Of course," Nora said, trying to sound reassured but not quite succeeding. She would have to start taking the Floo less, she decided then and there. It was too bad she hated apparating so much. "Speaking of, though, I should probably be getting home…" “Right,” Vic responded, stepping out of the way. It was a tight space and a few awkward missteps had Vic gritting her teeth in embarrassment. Why was she so flustered? She was an actual Death Eater. “Sorry to have kept you from your potion. It was, uh, nice talking to you. Tell Rhys I said hello.” "I will," Nora said. "It was nice talking to you, too. I'll...see you around, I guess. Thanks for, you know, your work with the Floo and all." Vic smiled, a genuine one. Had she ever been thanked? “Just doing what I can to make everyone’s lives a little easier. See you around.” Nora nodded as she pinched some powder into the fireplace to leave. "See you around!" she said as she disappeared into the green flame. |