Back in Hogsmeade.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

It's been a very long couple of weeks, and Inara is pleased like she hasn't been in a while to be back in her apartment above the bookshop. She goes downstairs after apparating into her bedroom in order to pick up her mail that arrived while she was away (not much, all told) and to check in with Ivy.

Afterward, it is just Inara in the storefront, changing the window displays for the week.





Right before dinner, Inara also takes a walk around the town. Nice to get the ground under your feet sometimes.

[ooc: catch her either place.]

Comments

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"My goals or those of House Madrassa?"

[veneficusvenato]

"Yours."

As Jo would hold Inara in active responsibility here if.

"But I wouldn't turn down both, if you're offering."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Inara was not offering.

But how to phrase it?

"I believe in Hogwarts. What it should be, and what it needs to be. If I can help keep this safe, I want to.




"It is important to me."

[veneficusvenato]

"And what do you think those are?"

As that was a very opinion-based statement.
Without any reveal about that thought behind it.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Is this an interview?"

[veneficusvenato]

"You were the one who asked if I had questions."

Jo's mouth has finally curved. "I hadn't realized it was rhetorical."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"I hadn't realized your questions would have less to do with what I can help with and more about my personal philosophy."

[veneficusvenato]

"Your personal philosophy has a basis in your actions."
Jo would know all about that. The worst parts even.


"In choices you'll make in a pinch."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"Did you know of me very well in school?"

This is related.

[veneficusvenato]

"As well as anyone you live in a small space with for seven years." Everything got around about everyone every time. The wonder of living in a microcosm.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"I came terribly close to never having the chance to go to Hogwarts in the first place. Once I did, I..."

Never wanted to leave?

Never really thought of London as home anymore?

"Became as attached to it as many of the other students in the castle. The idea of someone corrupting it is unconscionable."

[veneficusvenato]

Jo conceded with a nod.

"I'm sure you understand why I was asking, then."

And why the asking meant not believing immediately.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Frankly, Inara thinks quickly, No I don't.

But she doesn't offer it aloud. (What is it about seeing classmates makes Inara's emotions revert to school-age?)


"Do you have anything currently in place that I need to be aware of?"

[veneficusvenato]

"Several." Jo answered honestly.

"Unfortunately you'll have to wait for Thursday at least."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Waiting for everyone to be in the same place.

"Some sort of protections."

[veneficusvenato]

"Protocol at its best," Jo said with something mixing apology and dry amusement.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"I understand."

And she'll have to do something on Thursday to prove her worth.

"And should I bring up my purposes for being there? Or demonstrate?"

[veneficusvenato]

"How much you tell them is up to you."

Beat. Very specific. "Unless you lie to them."

It's not a threat. It's a rather very even promise.
They all had secrets. Lying wasn't an option even so.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Inara drums her fingertips along her thigh, debating something for a moment.

And then takes a step forward,

and another

before her body shifts to a tawny owl, finding a perch on the high back of a chair.

[veneficusvenato]

Jo gave a snort. That was one way to change topics.
But at least it meant Inara had been heard her.
And she'd been clear about that.


It was a careful line, even Jo walked.


"Very nice colors." Jo might have been amused.
"And will you deliver our pieces personally, then?"

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

Inara jumps off the chair --




-- before standing again.

"It depends on the message, and how many recipients there need to be."

[veneficusvenato]

"Or what kind of curses are on the parchment."


This is less of an actual question.

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"I'd prefer it if one did not send post that had the potential of blowing up an owl, yes."

[veneficusvenato]

"Several of them have the potential for it and worse." Things that were charmed or cursed for only specific people. "Though your owls should be perfectly fine, so long as they don't have a penchant for trying to open the mail."

[veloxepistola.livejournal.com]

"They know what they're doing."

It's better than saying something Jo wouldn't understand, like They don't belong to me.