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Tweak says, "The family business!!!"

Lucius Malfoy (in_deep) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-06-05 00:21:00

Entry tags:

!1998: 06, !incomplete, argus pyrites, lucius malfoy

Who: Lucius Malfoy & Argus Pyrites
Where: Shalott
When: Friday night
What: Anticipatory drinking.
Rating/warnings: TBA/alcohol?

Lucius was well into a glass of wine before he began to find anything like the peace he'd come looking for. Everything was looming terribly, and while he wasn't one to find refuge in drink, his usual diversion of choice lacked appeal - there would be violence enough to deal with soon, and he doubted it would relax him now. A dim room and an excellent vintage didn't give rise to quite the same rush as did drawing blood, but he was sure he was about to have rather too much rush for comfort. When the Dark Lord went dropping heavy hints, it was time to duck. ... Or at least to make time for life's more sensible pleasures, and hope for the best. His fingers drummed gently against the base of his glass as he leaned back in his chair.

"Well - so we're to have some excitement, soon." And just when he'd really settled things, too. "Good for the young blood, I suppose." He couldn't bring himself to feign enthusiasm. It was one thing to be set to work when there was something to be gained from it, and no doubt the newest members of their circle would be looking for glory, but ... it seemed foolish to rock the boat when everything was clipping along so smoothly. If the status quo left anything to be desired, it wasn't excitement.

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silkensailed
2010-06-05 05:36 am UTC (link)

Argus gave a short, sharp laugh. Though it wasn't quite bitter, there was hardly any humor to be found in it. Business lately had been abysmally slow, and he knew it was because of everything that had been happening. Everyone was starting to feel it now, regardless of the blood status. People were less fond of dining out when war and violence loomed ever more presently on the horizon. He knew he'd be expected to fight, and soon. The prospect didn't bother him. Argus rather liked a good duel and knew he was good for a fight. But he'd been losing sleep anyway, and feeling very unlike himself.

So much so, in fact, that for the first time in nearly twenty years, a very alcoholic beverage sat before him. He'd not hesitated to order what he knew was one of the strongest drinks Shalott offered. Tonight was not a night for moderation, he felt.

"Perhaps," he said, giving a noncommittal shrug. The recent initiation had left a bad taste in his mouth. "I can only hope they'll be up for it. Forgive me for saying so, but I'm having doubts about their abilities to hold their own. Or even show enough mettle to be much aid."

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in_deep
2010-06-05 06:07 am UTC (link)

"Of course they won't be of much aid." The ones Lucius had recognized by name hadn't much to show in the way of abilities, either. "Whatever it is we're being put up to, they'll make a hash of it, strutting around trying to prove themselves. They're children." And one of them was his, even if he wasn't stupid enough to go dashing into harm's way just to make a show. That was nothing he wanted to talk about. "I don't think there can be any stopping them, but I confess - I don't remember being quite so desperate to take up arms, when I was that age. Perhaps that's how I've managed forty-four."

The wine helped, probably. It was certainly bracing, and there was something comforting in knowing one had a bottle to oneself.

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silkensailed
2010-06-06 05:42 am UTC (link)

Argus snorted derisively into his drink just before taking another sip. It was amazing how easily he'd forgotten the way alcohol felt - not only on the tongue, but the faint burn in the throat, the almost chemical aftertaste. He simultaneously enjoyed it and found it disgusting. This didn't stop him from drinking more before her answered.

"Nor I," he agreed. He'd been out of school for several years before the thought had even occurred to him, in fact. The enthusiasm these children had, it was feverish and largely blind, and Argus didn't like it. "I just don't see the need. We have a devoted following, and there will be time enough for new, young blood after this has all settled. We're so near to achieving His goals..."

It seemed desperate, was what he wanted to say. But Argus didn't wish to express doubt. "I understand that we ought not to turn down an opportunity to increase our numbers. This just seems a it of a stretch."

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in_deep
2010-06-06 10:43 pm UTC (link)

"I suspect it has its roots in politics more than anything else - He doesn't have as much support among the young as He should, thanks in large part to Dumbledore's tenure - but I agree, they may not make much of a contribution to our more concrete ambitions." Lucius didn't mind admitting to a little doubt, so long as it was properly qualified. "They may be dedicated, but I've only ever known two competent men inducted before graduation."

He topped off his glass, in no hurry to see the bottom of it. He had something of a storm waiting for him at home. It would probably have been better to face it stone sober, but it wasn't as though he could handle it any worse than he already had. "In any case, it will be nice, when all this has settled, to do away with some of the pretense we've had to keep up for so long. I've never liked having to whisper about being in His service, but the consequences of publicity ..." Could never be worth it, he finished silently.

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silkensailed
2010-06-07 10:08 pm UTC (link)

"I understand precisely what you mean." He waved a hand at a passing server, who he'd instructed earlier to bring a continuous string of drinks until told otherwise. The man nodded curtly and headed off in the direction of the bar.

After so many years of this charade, Argus had rather forgotten to even wonder what it would be like to not have to hide his affiliations. Nevermind that, up until four years ago, it seemed as though he wouldn't have to worry about it at all. Perhaps it would have been better for things to have stayed that way.

Swilling around what remained of this particular drink, Argus finished it off in a gulp and almost regretted doing so. "Augh." The sound was entirely involuntary, and he grimaced at his companion. He didn't want to dwell on such things as official duties anymore. "Draco is graduating this year, is he not?"

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in_deep
2010-06-08 04:42 am UTC (link)

Lucius couldn't quite suppress the beginning of a smirk - but with Argus, he didn't really bother to hide it. He didn't know that he'd ever seen the man drink before, but enthusiasm was the only way to go about it, really. "You've been open for quite some time," he drawled, swirling his wine in his glass and taking a measured sip. "I'd have thought you'd have found someone who could mix to your satisfaction, by now. But good help is hard to come by."

The smile stiffened when his son was mentioned, but he looked almost natural again after a moment. "He is," he said, setting his glass down again. "With an excellent record, even without the NEWTs he'll have pulled out in a couple of weeks. We're terribly proud. I keep meaning to think of something to give him, but I'm afraid after eighteen years the well's run rather dry of gift ideas. - I wonder what etiquette requires for our new brothers. Two congratulations in the space of a month seems rather excessive."

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