milliways_bar | Ingress's Sixth Birthday Party

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Ingress's Sixth Birthday Party

*It's eleven o'clock on Saturday morning, thanks to Millitime, and the stage is set for Ingress's birthday out by the lake. The House of Arch family has gathered around a perfect picnic spot under a tree. Right beside them is a playground Tom has conjured just for the occaision. There is a swingset, a slide, a merry go round, and a sandbox charmed with sand that's perfect for building.

Ingress is wearing a gown fit for a princess. It has been charmed against stains and ripping just for this special day. She is also wearing a blinking button which reads "I am 6!" She is very, very, very excited.

Tom, Door, Gavroche, and Megwyn are putting finishing decorating touches on the picnic tables set up with a gigantic cake, gallons of ice cream from Florean Fontescue's ice cream parlor, and punch. There is also a table with baskets of wizarding crackers. These are gifts for the guests - once the crackers are popped, the recipient will get a hat of some kind (maybe there will be a plethora of pirate hats!) and a wizarding toy or game like chess or gobstones. Or whatever else you'd like - the guest gets to decide!

There are several chairs under the tree as well, providing a good view of the playground.

Come, birthday with them!*

OOC: Summary forthcoming. However, very important (and menacing) Barty and Tom thread within.

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Oh? Can you, really.

*His lips curl into a thin, mean smile.*

Maybe you could be trained to be a good pup. I shan't hold my breath, but maybe there's hope for your survival here yet.

Barty, however, does hold his breath. He's leaving sarcasm and baiting for the moment.

"I can. Really. A question, Tom: what would you most like me to do? Or not to do?"

Go back to where you came from. Stop bothering us here with your very existance.

You might notice I don't ask for redemption. You're past that, for now.

Pff. He doesn't self-righteously ask for the other side to 'redeem'; why do they think they can even imply that he should redeem?

He smiles a little more, ruefully. "Not going to happen. But, see. What about my existence here particularly bothers you? Worries you?"

One day you'll snap. Fanatics often do. You'll be backed against the wall, or perceive yourself to be so, and then you'll strike. You won't care who's in your way, or who might be hurt, as long as your needs or goals are met.

*There but for the grace of Milliwys goes Tom.*

This is true, and Barty recognises it. He knows himself that much.

"But supposing I had some kind of incentive not to. Something that made me think twice."

Not to do what you fear to those you care for.

That's what worked for me. I had a very powerful incentive to act in different ways.

Would you wish for such a thing? It would certainly make your life here easier.

"I know what I want. The question is what you want. Do you want to constrain my actions? And if so, in what way?"

Stop winding people up. Make yourself scarce whenever Tonks is around. Just bloody well stop bothering people.

Barty regards Tom, long and with a blank look.

"I have a favour to ask you."

Oh?

*His eyebrow raises. He's learned a thing or three about favors, both the receiving and the promising, since he's been a part of London Below.*

"Yes."

One corner of his mouth drags upwards.

"It would require you having access to the wizarding world post 1980, though."

I'm living in the year 1997 for both London Below and the Wizarding world.

Why? What do you want?

Simply, "Money."

"I have an account in Gringotts. I can't get at it. I need it for here. To pay my tab."

You want me to be your errand boy? Is that it?

*Tom doesn't know whether to offended or amused. However he also very much wants Barty to owe him. This could be an excellent way to put the young man under his control.*

"No, I don't want you to be my errand boy, but it's you or Tonks, so. Name your price."

*Tom smiles. Perfect. Crouch must be pretty damned desperate if he's willing to let Tom name the price.*

I shall require a favor. In London Below, favors are more valuable than gold, and once you've committed to one, you are bound to it.

Voldemort has the same sense of honor as I, albeit a very twisted sense of honor. I should think you have your own honorable leanings, as well.

What do you say? Will you accept owing me and being honor bound to uphold the bargain for this task?

He listens, and thinks for a moment. Always better to let your opponent name their price, in the hope they ask for less than what you're expecting.

"Very well. I might be able to agree to that. But I'd rather hear a few more specifics."

You promise to not hurt the people here I care about. You don't taunt them, you don't pull your wands on them, you bloody well play nice. That includes Tonks, Bernard, and, well, pretty much everyone from the Wizarding world or London Below.

I'll make out a list if you'd like. For future reference.

*His voice turns cold and ruthless.*

If you choose to break our deal, then you choose to make me your enemy. I shan't break rules in the bar, but I shall find a way around them even if it takes compelling you into London Below. You'll pay for your transgressions.

*He holds out his hand and smiles most unpleasantly.*

I'll need your vault key.

This is followed by a long silence. He was hoping for less. This is pushing the limit of what he'll agree to.

But he needs to pay his tab, and if he doesn't, there's only so long he'll be able to stay at Milliways.

He shakes Tom's hand. "Deal. That'll be effective from when the money is paid into my tab." He takes out his wand, flicks it, and his key appears.

"Fourteen thousand galleons should do."

*He takes the key.*

I'll get around to it. Not today though.

You'll have your galleons,though, never fear. And I'll have my promise. I'll be watching you.

You're a smart lad, Barty.

He is. And he's probably only got a few days maximum to not play nice to those Tom likes.

"And if you could give me that list when the money's paid in? Don't put everyone on the bar on it, will you?" He smiles. "Wizarding world, London Below, or those you care about only. Or the deal's off."

That money should be enough, and those terms should be enough. Just about.

Oh, I won't put everyone on the list.

*He smiles sincerely, already planning a very long list indeed.*

I'll keep to my terms of the deal. I only hope, for your sake, that you will.

I'm done speaking with you. You've wasted enough of a very important day.

*Tom turns away from Barty, dismissing him utterly, and goes back to the party.*

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Ingress's Sixth Birthday Party

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Reposted because I arsed up the punctuation

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