gaius (ex_gaius583) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-08-07 15:24:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, gaius, regulus |
It's not personal, it's just business
Characters: Regulus, Gaius
Summary: Gaius comes to offer Regulus advice
It was a beautiful summer morning, and as Gaius walked the short distance between his flat and Regulus' new shop, he hummed softly, shifting the box he carried in his arms to get a better grip. He could have levitated it, he supposed, but the contents were special, and there were some things that were better handled with arms than with magic.
He'd run over the conversation between himself and Regulus about a million times during the course of the previous night, and he did hope that somehow Regulus had managed to get a few things off his chest, things which had been standing between them. Gaius had meant every word about wanting to do whatever he could to make things right between them again, and even though he'd said it before, he hoped that perhaps this time, Regulus was ready to take him up on it. At the very least, asking for Gaius to help decorate his new shop was a good sign; Regulus wasn't avoiding him or pushing him away, and that gave him hope.
At last he reached the shop, and he looked at the outside for a few moments, getting a feel for the building and its surroundings. It was a very good location, he had to admit, and he thought that Regulus would do quite well there. No doubt many people would be tempted to come in and browse if the window displays were appealing enough. That, Gaius knew, was something that he would be able to make happen.
Satisfied with that thought, he lifted a hand and knocked somewhat awkwardly on the door, hoping that Regulus would be able to hear him.
Regulus was at the counter, which was near the door in this shop, rather than in the back like in the Snape brothers' shop, thus he was in a good position to see and hear who was coming despite not having a bell over the door yet. He looked up from the letter he was writing to one of his suppliers, and he drew his wand and flicked it at the door, which unlocked and opened to admit Gaius.
"Come in," he said. "I was working on some correspondence. Nothing that can't wait." He set down his quill and put the letter aside; behind him, a sleek owl perched on its tall stand and blinked curiously at Gaius. "As you can see, I bought an owl for business correspondence. I thought it would be unfair to ask my owl to carry personal and business letters all day."
"A good decision," Gaius agreed, smiling as he crossed to the counter. He placed the box down, then turned to look around the shop. "This is a nice space, and a good location. I think that front window could be your best advertising, too. Put the right displays in and people will be breaking down your door to have a look."
Regulus sat back on his stool and folded his arms. "Then I suppose I had best hope I hired the best interior decorator, hadn't I?"
"Never fear - what I lack in experience I make up for in sheer determination," Gaius replied, giving an airy wave of his hand. Then he grew a bit more serious, although his eyes were still full of excitement. "I think there are a lot of good possibilities, depending on what you want to do. For instance, what are you going to name the shop? If it's something memorable, then you have a catch right there to grab attention."
"I haven't decided on a name," Regulus admitted. "I've been caught up in renting the space and getting moved in," he continued, gesturing to the piles of parchment in front of him. "I haven't given it much thought."
"That not surprising, since you look like you're in danger of drowning in correspondence," Gaius replied sympathetically. "I do know that part of the draw for the twins' shop is the name; it's memorable and intriguing. I'm sure you'll get an inspiration, and I'm willing to help bounce ideas around, if you'd like. I don't have to disturb your work at the moment, though, unless you're looking to take a break. I could look around and take measurements." He reached out to tap the box. "I did bring you something, though. It's the rest of your place setting, and... well, a little something else." He flushed a bit.
Regulus gave Gaius a look of wry amusement and shook his head. "Gaius, you don't have to keep giving me things. I know you want to make amends, but really, you've done enough."
"Oh, this isn't like that, not really. Okay, yes, really, but..." Gaius laughed and shrugged, blushing even more. "I give you things because I like to give things to people, not only you, but... well, everyone. This is a bit different, though; you might even laugh in my face." He tapped the box again. "Just... look. You might toss it back at me."
Regulus raised one eyebrow, wondering what in the world was in the box that he might want to throw at Gaius; curiosity compelled him to open the box, peering into it warily... and saw a teddy bear peering back. From its faded fur, he could tell it was brown, obviously oft-mended and well loved, and its beady black eyes were still intact, as were both ears and all its limbs. There was a blue bow that looked new tied around its neck, the only thing about it that wasn't worn or frayed. He reached in and lifted it out carefully, studying it for a long moment, and then he looked up at Gaius.
"I understand what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it, but I can't take this," he said quietly. "It's yours, and it obviously has sentimental value if you've kept it all these years."
Gaius looked at Regulus, then drew in a deep breath. "I want you to have it. Bruno has listened to all my secrets my whole life, and he has never given up a one. He makes no judgments, and he's always there." Gaius reached out, touching the bear's ear. "If you'd like, consider it a loan. When you feel as though I have repaired our relationship sufficiently, you may return him to me. Perhaps at that point, I can be your confidante once again, and you won't need him."
Regulus fought the urge to squirm, trying to come up with a response that wouldn't quell Gaius but that wouldn't give him unrealistic hope either; Regulus had no idea when or even if he would feel comfortable enough to take Gaius into his confidence, and this initial stage in the mending process was particularly awkward.
"A loan, then," he said at last, putting the bear back into the box, deciding that was a compromise he could live with, especially since he didn't fancy having Severus and Serenus bearing down on him for dashing Gaius' good spirits and hope. "But no more gifts for a while. A cat, dinnerware, and a teddy bear are quite enough for now."
"I promise," Gaius replied meekly. "I'm not trying to buy your forgiveness, no matter how it seems. I suppose I just keep looking for something to make things better, in my own clumsy way. Thank you for putting up with me. I could understand if you wanted to smack me by now."
"I'm not the smacking kind," Regulus replied, sealing up the box so nothing would be damaged when he took it home later. "But you needn't try so hard. I said I wanted to try to put what happened behind me and move on, and I meant it. In the meantime, you aren't responsible for fixing my life and making it better. There are some things you simply can't do anything about."
"I know... but it doesn't mean I don't want to try." Gaius shrugged slightly. "Severus always thinks I'm a hopeless optimist, and perhaps he's right. I suspect that nothing is going to change that, alas. Well... should I look around, or did you have ideas you wished to discuss? I know you've been busy with setting things up, so however you wish to go about this is fine with me."
"I was thinking something that reflects the origin of the imports," Regulus replied, grateful for the change in topic. "Perhaps an adventurer's club decor. I want it to be exotic and masculine, not..." He tried to find a word that best expressed what he meant. "Floofy. Other than that, have a look and see what you think. I am willing to entertain suggestions."
Gaius grinned, pleased with Regulus' suggestion, his creative mind immediately latching on to it and running over possibilities. "That's brilliant! A lure to all these urban wizards to explore the wonder and excitement of the lands beyond jolly old England. Danger, and beauty, and treasures beyond imagining... oh, yes, that would be fantastic! You could change the front window every month, feature a new exotic location and its wonders. Egypt, the Orient, India, darkest Africa..." He turned and pointed to a corner of the shop. "Perhaps different places highlighting different areas of the world, rather than grouping items by type. Letting people contemplate things in situ."
Regulus peered around, lost in thought as he considered Gaius' suggestions. "I could make it less like a showroom and more... I don't know. Informal, like a gathering place where the artifacts happen to be for sale. A table with a magical samovar pouring tea by itself, for example." He thought about the bronze warrior statue he had given Harry and other such animated objects that could interact with customers. "What do you think?"
Gaius looked at Regulus in surprise. "I think perhaps we should change jobs. I'll fill out paperwork, and you do the decorating. You really have a flare for it!" His expression was admiring. "If you applied for a license, you could even serve alcohol, which wouldn't hurt the atmosphere, or the sales. If you'd really like to go all out, featuring native entertainment for your featured area some evening might draw attention, too; exotic dancers have never hurt anyone's business that I've ever heard of!"
Regulus nodded slowly, growing more enthused about the idea the more he thought about it. "Yes, that might work. I would rather have fewer artifacts out on the floor and have them properly presented than have dozens of magical artifacts stuffed on a shelf. There is no personality in that. But a cafe or club atmosphere... Yes, that would be memorable."
"Definitely!" Gaius walked away from the counter, looking about the empty space with an eager eye. "Appeal to people who are bored of their humdrum lives and want to own a piece of the action. Vicarious danger and thrills are about all some people can handle, but if you make them want that piece very badly, they'll pay whatever it takes to have it."
"Very true." Regulus scribbled some notes on a clean piece of parchment so he wouldn't forget the ideas they had generated. "It will be different from any artifact shop in Diagon Alley. Different from any in England, I dare say. I have most of my inventory in the back room," he added, pointing to the door at the back of the shop. "I haven't finished moving everything out of storage yet, but you can get a good idea of what I have. Perhaps you could choose some things for the window displays, and I will decide what I would like to showcase first."
"That sounds like a plan," Gaius replied, excited to begin. He grinned at Regulus. "And perhaps I'll run across things I want to purchase for my own little venture. All to the good, I think." He headed off toward the room Regulus had indicated, opening the door and peering in. "Merlin! I think I have my work cut out for me. You have a lot of stuff!"
Sliding off his stool, Regulus crossed the room and stood behind Gaius, keep a safe amount of space between them. "I've had some of these items for years. They caught my fancy, but I never found the right buyer for them. Not everything is magical, either. I have a few pieces of antique jewelry that I wouldn't mind selling, if anyone wants it." He thought about the necklace he'd given Anubis as a collar, but he wasn't quite ready to part with that particular piece yet; it was still packed away in a box in his storage cupboard at home.
"Well, at the very least, we can bring things out and make sure they are seen and appreciated," Gaius said, glancing back at Regulus over his shoulder. He thought about the jewelry he'd seen at Regulus' flat and wondered if Regulus was thinking about selling the collar he'd given Anubis. If so, Gaius was determined to buy it; he couldn't bear to think of it on anyone else. "Perhaps then the right buyer will find you."
"Hopefully so." Regulus surveyed his collection with satisfaction for a moment, and then he stepped back. "At any rate, you may have first pick of anything you like for Alchemy and Ecstasy, and of course, we'll work out a wholesale discount. Oh!" He snapped his fingers as a sudden thought reminded him. "I've begun making arrangements for you to meet with some of my suppliers in Cairo. They can help you find contacts for furniture and antiques, not only there but in other countries if you're interested. I've asked them to treat you as well as they would treat me, and I trust you will be in good hands with them when you go."
Gaius was surprised, and he turned around completely to face Regulus. "You did? Thank you, that would be fantastic!" Then the way Regulus worded it caught his attention, and he bit his lip pensively. "You mean... meet them by myself?"
"Well, yes." Regulus gave him a quizzical look, surprised by his hesitancy. "I thought you might prefer to deal with them directly for the furniture rather than go through me for everything, especially since I deal primarily with artifacts and accessories."
"I see." Gaius looked down at his hands for a moment, then back up at Regulus, his dark eyes holding a bit of mute appeal. "I do think it would be better for me to go through them, so that I don't inconvenience you, but... do you think that I could go with you the next time you meet with them, and you could give me an introduction instead? I'm a bit out of my depth on this, and I don't want to come across as a completely naive idiot. I don't want to be a bother to you, but, well..." He gave a rueful smile. "You're a seasoned businessman, and I'm just a professor who has aspirations of being a businessman. I think I could learn a lot by watching your interactions, so that I don't go and stick my foot in my mouth."
"Ah..." Regulus hadn't thought of that; as personable as Gaius was, Regulus assumed he wouldn't have any trouble with meeting new people and establishing new business ties, but having qualms about a completely new venture was understandable. At the same time, however, he wasn't sure how comfortable he would be traveling with Gaius; the last time they had traveled together, the circumstances had been quite different. Still, he didn't want to throw Gaius in over his head, and so he nodded slowly. "I suppose I could accompany you this once," he said at last.
"Thank you!" Gaius felt intensely relieved, and he drew in a breath and wiped his brow in a rather theatrical gesture. "I really appreciate it; there is so much I'm trying to remember and keep straight, and sometimes I'm afraid I'll walk out of the flat and forget to put my trousers on while I'm focusing on something else. I'll try not to be a bother on the trip. I know you have your own business to see to, and you don't need me to get in the way."
"I can sympathize," Regulus replied. "My business isn't new, but the expansion is, and it is keeping me quite busy of late."
"So I can see." Gaius waved at the stacks of boxes. "Just looking at your inventory, I can see you've got a lot to keep track of. Are you having any luck finding helpers? Severus and Serenus tell me that having the right employees can really help."
"I haven't begun seriously looking yet," Regulus said with a little shrug. "I want to get a little more organized before I try to bring someone else into this mess. Soon, though." He smiled slightly. "If all else fails, perhaps I can lure away someone from Alchemy and Ecstasy with promises of fame, glory, and a higher salary."
Gaius' eyes widened, and he stepped back with a look of mock horror. "Oh, my... are you suicidal, Regulus? I'd hate to have to help my brothers hide your body!"
Regulus gave a very Severus-like snort at that. "Then I suppose I had best hope I find decent help. At any rate, if you want to look around, feel free. As I said, you may have first pick of anything in here for yourself. We can work out the cost later, although perhaps we could work it out in trade at first, since you are decorating for me."
"That sounds like a good plan," Gaius said, looking about at the boxes, which seemed rather mysterious and intriguing with their promise of fascinating treasures to be discovered. "I'd love to take a peek and find out what you've got hidden in here. Oh, and I'll give you a couple of names if you'd like, of some of my former students who just finished Hogwarts. I have a feeling that a couple of the Ravenclaws would be completely fascinated by all this, and they'd be intelligent enough to learn quickly."
"Thank you," Regulus replied, inclining his head in an acknowledging nod. "That's a very good idea. Nothing in here is dark or particularly dangerous, by the way," he added as he took a step back. "But if you need help with anything, I will be right up front."
"All right," Gaius said with a smile. "And thank you, again, for this opportunity. I think it will work out great."
Regulus looked at him for a long moment, thinking about the twining of their business lives and of recent events, all of it still as much an untidy jumble as his stock room. "Time will tell," he said at last, and with that, he turned and headed back to the counter to immerse himself in work once more.