Zacharias Smith (wirelesswizard) wrote in whatprice, @ 2009-07-30 23:00:00 |
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Current mood: | grateful |
Who: Zacharias Smith and Chris Warrington
When: Thursday, 30 July 2009, early evening
Where: OWLS club, London
What: Chris and Zach have a chat about the wizengamot & investments
Warning: pureblood snobbery?
status: complete
Zacharias arrived at the OWLS club a few minutes early. He had become a frequent visitor here and was now recognized by the staff. It helped that he was seen here with the right sorts of people. A donation to the club's charitable efforts had not gone amiss either. He took a seat in the parlor with a glass of whiskey served to him by one of the staff members and waited for Warrington's arrival. Spotting the other man, he got to his feet and nodded in greeting.
"Good to see you, as always. How are Astoria and Vida?" he asked pleasantly.
Chris stepped into the OWLS club and offered his cloak to the attendant before stepping forward to speak to the maitre'd and was then ushered into the parlor. He smiled in greeting at Zach and returned his nod.
"They're fine of course. Vida's happy to have her mother back and Astoria is happy to be back. And I'm happy that they're happy."
Zacharias nodded.
"Did you want to discuss things over drinks, or a full meal?"
"Well... let's start with drinks and see how things progress. This could be a woefully short converstaion or quite a long one."
Zacharias nodded as he took his seat again and waited until one of the servers came over to take Chris' order.
"You'd previously mentioned an offer to assist the wireless. I was curious whether that offer was still on the table. "
He took a seat opposite Zach and ordered a drink, taking his time about responding. "Well, I do enjoy your broadcasts. Even the rather more inflamatory ones. And I do think it'd be a shame if they were to cease or to become less frequent."
Zacharias nodded.
"We're not in danger of that, yet. However, with the new government forming, I thought it might be a good show of faith to move part of our operations into Diagon Alley. "
He didn't mention that it would make it closer for him to commute in case he did take up Great-Aunt Hepzibah's seat on the Wizengamot.
He nodded. "Which is not a bad idea. Besides, I personally rather fancy the idea of continuing to operate directly out of the muggle capital. Right under their noses, which is probably the safest place to be."
Zacharias nodded. Currently the base of the wireless was secret and it would continue to stay that way in the event that Diagon did not remain safe.
"Quite possibly. And it would be the best place to get the news quickly. However, while we can maintain our operating budget, we don't have the funds to currently secure a new location."
Chris nodded slowly, making a show of pondering as he accepted his beverage from a passing waiter. "Of course, of course. Did you have a new location in mind already? There's a fair amount of free real estate in Diagon and Knockturn these days."
"I haven't gone to look at real estate yet. I'd prefer to have a budget in mind before looking at possible locations," Zacharias explained as he sipped his whisky.
"Of course, of course. Makes perfect sense." He continued to look thoughtful. "I shouldn't think that you'd have any issues with a budget though."
Zacharias smiled gratefully.
"It's good to know I can count on your support. "
Chris returned his smile. "Of course. You've got an important message which needs to be heard. Just keep up the good work and you'll keep my support."
"I, and the wireless, are extremely grateful for that," Zach said before pausing and taking a sip.
"Is there any chance the new wizengamot will find you among its members?"
He raised his glass in a sort of salute to Zach and his endeavours. "Here's to the wireless. And yes, I am to become a member of the Wizengamot at long last. No more lurking in the Records office for me, no. Hopefully in time, I'll be allowed to be a greater part of it. Be quite a change being on the other side of that room."
Zach raised his glass and bowed his head a bit.
"Lucius approached me about it. Right now it's a matter of entrusting the wireless into the proper capable hands. One man can't do everything, as I'm certain you know."
"Oh, believe me, I know. I know indeed. But you're just the sort of man we need, Zach. Old blood, but fiery. Passionate. And passionate about the right sort of topics. And most importantly not an obvious crony of Malfoy's." He raised a hand defensively. "Don't get me wrong, I have no personal issue with him but he still rubs a fair number of people the wrong way. And the last thing we need is for them to forget who the real enemy is and decided there's a 30 year old grudge that needs settling."
Zach smiled gratefully. Having Chris' support certainly helped.
"I think my views have earned me a few opponents of my own already. But hopefully people will realize that unification in the face of the opposition is what's important."
"And it is! We're all in this mess together. There's no time for old schooldays grudges or who did what to whom's grandfather. Besides, we're judged by the quality of our enemies Zach.. If you had no opponents then you could be sure you've not been doing something right,"
Zacharias chuckled.
"Sometimes I think you thrive on conflict. Is that the barrister in you?"
He smirked and shook his head. "I think I've had quite enough conflict for one lifetime, thank you."
"In that case, I wish you many boring conflictless years with your amily," Zach said raising his glass.
He raised his glass in response. "I highly doubt that is up to the two of us to decide, but I accept your sentement."