InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You can't prove anything."

Cav had a good feeling about this. He knew it was important to get this all settled before the match on the 20th, and after his quick trip to Vienna to see Ellie, he headed for Hogsmeade for a meeting with Chidera Okeke, Wigtown beater. He hoped he'd be able to convince her to come play for the Pride. He didn't anticipate it being difficult to make the offer and get her to accept, but stranger things had happened. Especially recently.

He chose the Hog's Head for their meeting, knowing they'd have less eyes on them than they would elsewhere. He procured a table for them and sat, eyes on the door, a glass in front of him that he wasn't drinking from. Beside him, in his satchel, he had everything all squared away, ready for her to sign if she agreed to it all. After their recent encounter at the charity match, Cav knew this was on her mind too. He just didn't want to fuck it all up, which he felt like he was doing lately. Losing control of every other situation at least.

He looked up with a grin as Keke entered, and he raised a hand to motion for her to join him.

“Hey Cav,” she said warmly as he grasped that hand and shook it firmly. Excitement had made the beater bright and cheery; she thought she knew why she was here, but she also imagined she wasn’t the only person Cavallero was having drinks with to woo over to Portree. She couldn’t remake a first impression, but she could make sure this one lasted.

“You get drinks here often?” she asked as she took her seat.

His smile grew as she sat. "I usually prefer somewhere less dimly lit, honestly, but the drinks keep coming here. You want anything?"

In situations like these, Cav preferred to get straight to the point. "Look, I'm sure you know why we're here," he said, "so here we go. What do you think about coming over and playing for Portree?"

It wasn’t a cheat day and she thought it would make a bad impression to get blasted with the manager of a Quidditch team, so she waived it off and folded her hands on the table as he got down to brass tacks.

“I think that it would be an amazing opportunity to play under Bart Roberts and alongside Lorna MacFarlane. I am always looking for ways that I can improve my game and I really see the two of them as helping bring me to my full potential. As thankful as I am to the management of Wigtown for taking a chance on me and finally bringing me to a starting position… that’s a strong argument Portree can make that the Wanderers can’t match,” she explained thoughtfully.

He nodded as she spoke, liked what he heard. "And playing under Ellie MacFusty too, I'm sure," he murmured. "It's definitely a good opportunity, for you and for the team both. We can use someone like you, and I think you'd fit in well." Cav paused a moment. "Are there any reservations you might have?"

At the mention of Ellie MacFusty, Chidera’s head tilted a little as she focused on that. “Well… you know, word goes around and you’ve brought Black Bart on board… maybe Ellie’s coming back, maybe she isn’t. But if she is, who do we take guidance from?” she asked, leaning back in her chair. “Not to say I can’t plan whatever way we’re going, but it’s a tough enough adjustment playing under one change, let alone two.”

"I would hope you - or any of the players - would take guidance from whomever's giving it at the time. Of course, that doesn't account for conflicting pieces -" He waved the thought off. That wasn't the point and he was going off topic. Probably shouldn't have brought Ellie up at all, but he wasn't going to stop supporting her. "On that note, can you tell me a little about your expectations from a team, specifically the coach, your fellow beater, and the other players?"

Chidera raised an eyebrow and gave him a slightly disbelieving look. She shook her head back and forth - ticking and tocking as she thought over his question. “My expectations are that people are here to win. That the team works hard, works smart. And, well, I mean…” she laughed, “I reckon the only thing I should expect of Lorna MacFarlane is to be fucking aces, eh?”

Cav smiled widely at that. "She is that, yes," he agreed. A moment and he pulled a folder out of his satchel and offered it to her. "You can review all of this, ask me any questions about it that you want, and think it over. But my goal is to have someone in place in enough time before the match on Saturday that you'd start. I know that's not a lot of time but it's what we're working with. I would like you to start no later than Wednesday with practicing, but tomorrow or Tuesday would be better."

Chidera’s jaw slid open slightly -- she hadn’t expected this to be when she got an offer. She took the folder in her hands and, without much ado, opened up to start carding through the contract for the salary. “I’ll need a little time to work through this language but I think we can negotiate pretty quickly,” she smiled brightly, “if you’re amenable.” No sense in not trying to get some more out of them - after all, they were the ones in a rush and she was going to be paid her worth.

He nodded. "I've always appreciated a quick negotiation," he told her. "I want what's best for the team, and for you too, since we're stealing you away from Wigtown."

“Well that definitely makes two of us. Let’s meet again tomorrow morning?” she suggested, a bright, winning smile on her face.

"Absolutely. Why don't you come to my office in Portree?" Cav suggested. "Say, eight-thirty or so?" He had a better feeling about this now that they had spoken like this, now that he handed over the paperwork. He offered her a hand.

Chidera rose to shake it firmly, excitedly. “Yes, Sir. 8:30, Pride offices.”