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tampered2006-09-11 03:11 pm
velated-v.livejournal.com) wrote in tampered2006-09-11 03:11 pm
Log: Complete
When; Power-Switch Day
Rating; G
Characters;![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
velated_v V, snape_1960_1_9 Severus Snape
Summary; V meets Snape for tea & a little Q&A
Log;
Another day, another curse.
Life as usual in the City, and thankfully V was not affected by this particular brand of mischief having no supernatural 'powers' to speak of.
After a quick exit from the manhole in the street outside building 5, he was up the stairs and counting flat numbers. Just as everything here, it seemed the buildings' exterior dimensions had little to no relation to the internal, and after a bit of searching through unused hallways, he found #69. Apparently Severus was not keen on neighbors, a sentiment V could well relate to.
A small shopping bag over one arm was filled with a few ammenities , courtesy of Evey, and shifting it a bit, he knocked smartly on the aging door.
Severus set the small tea set on the table. Freshly brewed tea, cream, sugar, a few small biscuits and two cups and saucers; not exactly a luncheon fit for a king, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.
Severus had woken up this morning unsuspecting of anything unusual. He had not thought about his wand until he was preparing to leave for the morning, needing to find a shop that could provide him with the proper necessities for this afternoon’s tea with V. He was quite distressed when he could not find it. He was even more distressed when a simple wandless Scourgify refused to clean his small table.
His magic had apparently left him, and he had been forced to function as a muggle all day. It was quite a struggle for the accomplished wizard.
A swift rapping on his door notified Severus of his guest’s arrival. Taking one last glance at the pitiful display on his table, Severus made his way to the door. Luckily, the withered old piece of wood swung open easily for him and he was able to greet his guest with little trouble.
“Mr. V, I presume?” Severus greeted, arching an eyebrow at the strange looking man in his doorway. “Do come in,” Severus motioned with his arm, not missing a beat despite his surprise at V’s appearance.
V was aware his appearence was a little odd, but here he usually didn't even warrant a second glance, so why change?
"Simply V, please" he reminded Severus as he stepped past.
"I come baring gifts", he said, and offerred the shopping bag. A tin of good darjeeling, a bottle of wine, and a wrapped shepherd's pie made up it's contents.
" These come courtesy of my partner, Ms. Eve Hammond. She also extends her condolences and welcome in equal measure" he offerred by way of explanation.
After removing hat and cloak, and laying the latter over the back of a chair, and the former on top of it he spoke agian. " You mentioned having a great deal to speak to me about?”
“Do give Ms. Hammond my thanks.” Severus responded, taking the offered bag and turning to lay out its contents on the small counter. “My great thanks, I should say. She has provided me with a much appreciated taste of home.”
Severus turned back around to face V, motioning for him to take a seat before revealing his reason for wanting to meet with the man.
“Miss Rukia has revealed a few... disturbing things about this City to me. She tells me that you may be able to shed further light on the situation?” Severus raised the tea pot, silently offering the contents to V.
Ah yes. This apparently was V's function in the city of no name; information.
He was always surprised who sought him out for such answers, and who did not.
" I see. I do not know what Miss Rukia has informed you of, and what she has not, but I shall do what I may to help you. What do you wish to know?" He asked after holding a hand up to politely refuse tea.
The mask made sharing food or drink with anyone an impossibility, though he and Evey had found thier ways around it, he was still reluctant to reveal any part of himself to someone other than her.
“She has told me of the clock structure of the City,” Severus began, filling his own cup at V’s refusal of the tea. “It’s control over the existence here. She tells me that there are those who are attempting to prevent the eventual end of the count down.”
Severus glanced up at his guest, wishing that he could read V’s reactions under that mask. Even if he had wanted to use Legilimency on the man, he could not today. The fact that he couldn’t use his power made him want to that much more. He supposed that normally, he would only spend a passing moment debating the idea- he did not like to reveal his Legilimency skills unless he absolutely had to.
“I wish to know more about the situation. Rukia seems quite dedicated to your cause, and has advised me to think on it myself.”
Beneath the mask he sighed, wearily. He rather hated having to admit such a monumental failure as the clock reset had been, and one that had nearly cost him his life to boot. However, in order to effectively combat the city's hold over it's prisoners , said prisoners had to understand the nature and deviousness of thier prison.
" Well, as you know, the city is in effect a giant clock.
If you have studied it's layout as I have you would see the buildings in which most citizens take residence are situated in a roughly circular pattern with the carousel dead center."
He picked up a circular bisquit to illustrate the difference between the city proper and the Underground beneath it.
"The carousel is the visible portion of a great machine that connects to all points within the city, and therefore is the 'winding knob' for the entire clock structure."
He replaced it on the plate and continued.
" The clock is counting down to The End. Meaning the end of this world and all worlds represented by the vas variations of beings here."
He sighed agian.
" You see, Severus, not only is the city a doomsday device, it is also alive. It possesses a sentience, and therefore a sense of cruel humor, which you have no doubt witnessed represented by the curses. These curses are meant to stimulate emotional states among us.
That is why we, as citizens, were brought here. For the city to 'feed' off of our emotions, our memories, and our very essence.
I personally discovered this nearly a month ago, and in the time since I , also personally, attempted to reset the great clock. I have records upon the Interlink if you wish to see it? Photos of the mechanism, and a record of what occurred during the reset."
Shifting slightly uncomfortably at the next step in the chronology of the city, he nevertheless continued.
" Unfortunately the deities were a great deal more powerful than I previously supposed, and a few weeks after I successfully reset the clock, they corrected the countdown to read as it would had I done nothing."
He chose to omit the fact he had nearly been killed in the effort, and that the city had since withdrawn it's regenerative influence on him.
He did not know Snape, after all, and there was no use allowing the other man to know he, V, was likely the only mortal left within the city walls.
Severus listened intently as V gave his explanation, nodding and humming his attention in the appropriate places. At the mention of the City’s ability to feed off of the emotions of those around him Severus’ mind returned to his use of mind magics. Might it possible that Occlumency could aid in the resolution? It sounded so similar to what the Dark Lord had been doing to the Potter brat…
“The City’s ability to feed off the emotions and memories concerns me.” Severus sipped from his tea as he tried to form his thoughts into coherent sentences. “In my world there is a Wizard who feeds off the negative emotions and memories of his enemies. There is indeed an entire section of magic dedicated to the manipulation and protection of such things.” Severus again took time to gather his thoughts. He needed to do more research, and he sorely missed his lab. There was nothing better to aid in such thinking than a well organized and structured laboratory.
“Do you know what would happen to the city if its emotional fodder were removed, or at least greatly diminished?”
V gave a small shrug
" There is no way to truly tell, but I have theorized that the city's hold over us would be broken, and one by one we would return to our worlds of origin, or in the case of those already dead, to thier final rest. If we could diminish the city's food source adequately, I believe the curses would be much alleviated, and the deities would lose a great deal of thier power."
He made a small gesture of helplessness.
" I am sorry to say I do not hold all the answers many wish I did, I simply know what I do through weeks and months of study and experimentation.
I have had assistance along the way, to be sure, however."
Severus absentmindedly grabbed an oblong biscuit, dinking it into his tea and thoughtfully nibbling the moistened end. Perhaps this was the answer to his current dilemma. If he could manage to block his mind from the city sufficiently he may find himself returned to his home.
“I believe I may be of some assistance to you, then.” Severus took a steadying breath. He was not yet sure that he should trust V so completely, but he had little choice at the moment.
“There is a way to hide, and even to transform ones emotions to outside sources. We call it Occlumency. It is a very obscure but useful form of magic, which I happen to be well versed in. I need more time to formulate a theory, but it may be possible to use Occlumency against the City, thus depriving it of the emotions and memories it feeds off.”
He couldn't help the small chuckle at the idea.
" I beg your pardon, Severus, for your idea does seem to have merit, but you are forgetting one simple fact: Not everyone possesses 'magic' here. If such a method of combating the city's influence works for yourself, and those from your world of origin, then by all means use it, but I can tell you now; attempting such a thing on the populace at large would be futile."
Having moved past the more uncomfortable aspects of this visit, V spoke animatedly, using gesture and posture to convey the emotion that Fawkes' frozen grin could not convey.
" Others have attempted to use thier own forms of 'magic' to find release from our gilded cage. It is rare that someone leaves this place, and far rarer that they return to tell about it. From what little information I have on the subject those who find exit seem to do so at random, and in some cases they find exit not to thier world of origin, but to a completly alien branch universe."
“It is true that not everyone here possesses a control over magical force, and as for those who do there is a vast range of schools... I know there is something I am missing. It is nagging at the back of my brain... I shall have to think on it more.” Severus sighed and sat back in his chair. It was infuriating not having his trusty books and potions gathered around him. His mind worked so much better when in the appropriate atmosphere, which this flat was decidedly not.
Severus decided it was time for a change in pace; a lighter conversation to clear the palate, if you will.
“Oh, what Potter would say if Occlumency were his only hope of returning to Hogwarts,” Severus chuckled at the image of Potter’s face upon hearing that news. He only hoped that if that were to be the case he would have the pleasure of breaking the news to the insolent boy.
The mask tilted in what was a visual cue to the smile beneath.
" Potter? Someone likewise from your world of origin?"
“Ah, yes; the bane of my existence, if you will,” Severus reached for the tea pot, refilling his drink before cradling the warm cup in his hands. “The last hope of survival for the Wizarding World. I had the distinct pleasure of attempting to teach the boy Occlumency. He was utter rubbish, and most infuriatingly, it was of his own choice.” Severus took a sip of his tea, relishing in the warming sensation.
“And what of you? I gather your world was in much turmoil as well.”
V nodded.
He could appreciate the irony of being forced to make allownaces for one's enemies in order to achieve greater ends.
" Turmoil is an interesting way of putting it"
'I would have called it anarchy', he thought with a touch of pride.
"My Britain was under the rule of a fascist government over twenty years. Corrupt from the top down." he added with an equal touch of bitterness.
"Through some -ah- 'aggresive persuasion' on my part the populace rose agianst it however, and on November 5th, it was toppled in the same conflagration I died in."
There, he said it.
One could never be terribly sure how someone reacts to the idea of sharing the city with the dead, but it was best Severus understand there were more than a few citizens who did not belong in the land of the living.
At least, thats how V had felt early on. Now that he had spent so much time with Evey, and been shown that it *was* possible to enjoy a semblance of a normal life in what was decidedly not a normal environment had made him question his goals.
Those musings he kept to himself, however, and simply remained quiet to see what more reactions the other man would display.
Severus nodded his understanding to V past plight. His own world was not far from such a fate, and he feared that if he could not figure out a way to return Potter to his rightful world the Dark Lord’s hold would be unstoppable.
The mention of V’s death did catch Severus unawares. He had heard of the Under World within the City, and that some of the inhabitants had found themselves locked in this place due to their own deaths, but he had thought there would be some way of telling who was dead and who was not. Some innate difference between the living and the dead. Apparently not.
Arching his brow in consideration, Severus decided to focus on what he viewed to be the safer topic; “‘Aggressive persuasion’? Hmm...” Severus smirked, showing his amusement at the euphemism.
V nodded and spread his hands in a gesture of humility.
" Yes. Aggressive, pyrotechnic persuasion".
He allowed himself a smug laugh at the memory of the bailey going up in flames.
Severus was a difficult man to read...but he had mentioned working as a spy, so it really made perfect sense that he would be quite capable of hiding his emotions.
" Ah, I do not know if you have been otherwise informed, but the ticking stops when in the company of others. A bothersome thing for those of use who generally prefer solitude."
Severus nearly sighed in relief when V accepted the distraction. It had been a long day and Severus wasn’t prepared to discuss his companion’s critical statistics. He had spent years training to control his emotions, but he some how felt... weaker with out his magic.
Severus could not repress a chuckle at V’s response. Yes, he could very well imagine that this man had wreaked havoc for the sake of the greater good. Fire seemed like it would suit the man quite nicely.
“Indeed, Rukia had mentioned as much.” Severus concentrated on the trying ticking, finding that, once again, it had disappeared. “There does seem to be a lingering effect- the noise had remained bearable for sometime after I regained my much loved solitude.”
V nodded.
" It is occasionally difficult, but having a companion, or perhaps even a room mate does a great deal for one's concentration.
Many citizens have taken to keeping pets to help ease the monotonous metronome as well. Keeping an animal does not make for a full cessation of the sound, but it does help.
Perhaps once you have aquired your proffesions' varying apparatice you may consider taking on something of the sort?"
“I may find myself in the company of a pet, though I doubt if I could acquire a flatmate. I am not the nicest of men, on my best days.” Severus sighed.
“If I could find someone with a modicum of aptitude, and a suitable location, I may well take on an apprentice. It is a common practice in my field.” Severus had never taken an apprentice, though Albus had often pressed him to. He was a solitary man and had never gotten on well with others- especially not the dunderheads he usually encountered.
“Perhaps you could keep your eye open for a place which would hold up well to vicious fumes and possible explosions?” V seemed to know every nook and cranny of the City- if he could find a place then perhaps Severus could find an apprentice. Lilly Evans was always quite good at potions- second in their class to Severus- perhaps she would be interested.
V couldn't help a small laugh at the description.
" If you require something to withstand explosion, I am afraid the underground is your best option. Subterranean cement walls, often half a meter thick in many place should hold up to such specifications. Your solitude requirements should be well-met there as well. Aside from the tube station, and myself, there are no other inhabitants."
V shifted and removed his pocket watch once agian.
" I must apologize, but I while it has been a pleasure speaking with you Severus, I have a prior engagement to attend to."
He stood and nodded to the other man, before beginning to collect his hat and cloak.
" I do hope you enjoy the wine? Evey has impeccable taste."
“Ah, the underground might just be what I am looking for, V. I should have thought of it myself- I have lived most of my life in a dungeon- the underground would be the closest substitution available.”
Severus stood and made his way to the shabby door. He had been glad for the company- and he certainly was not enjoying the thought of the return of that damned ticking- but he did not wish to hold the man up either.
“Yes, it has been a pleasure. Perhaps we should meet again, when we have more time for leisurely conversation.” Severus pulled open the door for his guest, casually nodding his head rather than offering his hand. He didn’t much like to touch people if not necessary, and he had the feeling that V did not either, what with all the effort he placed in being fully covered.
“I am certain that it shall be marvelous. It is not often that I have to opportunity to sample such treats as wine. If the wonderful smell of the shepherd's pie is anything to go by, I must agree on Miss Hammond’s taste.
“I must thank you for the information. It is always best to be well informed. I do hope we have a chance to do this again.”
Rating; G
Characters;
velated_v V, snape_1960_1_9 Severus Snape Summary; V meets Snape for tea & a little Q&A
Log;
Another day, another curse.
Life as usual in the City, and thankfully V was not affected by this particular brand of mischief having no supernatural 'powers' to speak of.
After a quick exit from the manhole in the street outside building 5, he was up the stairs and counting flat numbers. Just as everything here, it seemed the buildings' exterior dimensions had little to no relation to the internal, and after a bit of searching through unused hallways, he found #69. Apparently Severus was not keen on neighbors, a sentiment V could well relate to.
A small shopping bag over one arm was filled with a few ammenities , courtesy of Evey, and shifting it a bit, he knocked smartly on the aging door.
Severus set the small tea set on the table. Freshly brewed tea, cream, sugar, a few small biscuits and two cups and saucers; not exactly a luncheon fit for a king, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.
Severus had woken up this morning unsuspecting of anything unusual. He had not thought about his wand until he was preparing to leave for the morning, needing to find a shop that could provide him with the proper necessities for this afternoon’s tea with V. He was quite distressed when he could not find it. He was even more distressed when a simple wandless Scourgify refused to clean his small table.
His magic had apparently left him, and he had been forced to function as a muggle all day. It was quite a struggle for the accomplished wizard.
A swift rapping on his door notified Severus of his guest’s arrival. Taking one last glance at the pitiful display on his table, Severus made his way to the door. Luckily, the withered old piece of wood swung open easily for him and he was able to greet his guest with little trouble.
“Mr. V, I presume?” Severus greeted, arching an eyebrow at the strange looking man in his doorway. “Do come in,” Severus motioned with his arm, not missing a beat despite his surprise at V’s appearance.
V was aware his appearence was a little odd, but here he usually didn't even warrant a second glance, so why change?
"Simply V, please" he reminded Severus as he stepped past.
"I come baring gifts", he said, and offerred the shopping bag. A tin of good darjeeling, a bottle of wine, and a wrapped shepherd's pie made up it's contents.
" These come courtesy of my partner, Ms. Eve Hammond. She also extends her condolences and welcome in equal measure" he offerred by way of explanation.
After removing hat and cloak, and laying the latter over the back of a chair, and the former on top of it he spoke agian. " You mentioned having a great deal to speak to me about?”
“Do give Ms. Hammond my thanks.” Severus responded, taking the offered bag and turning to lay out its contents on the small counter. “My great thanks, I should say. She has provided me with a much appreciated taste of home.”
Severus turned back around to face V, motioning for him to take a seat before revealing his reason for wanting to meet with the man.
“Miss Rukia has revealed a few... disturbing things about this City to me. She tells me that you may be able to shed further light on the situation?” Severus raised the tea pot, silently offering the contents to V.
Ah yes. This apparently was V's function in the city of no name; information.
He was always surprised who sought him out for such answers, and who did not.
" I see. I do not know what Miss Rukia has informed you of, and what she has not, but I shall do what I may to help you. What do you wish to know?" He asked after holding a hand up to politely refuse tea.
The mask made sharing food or drink with anyone an impossibility, though he and Evey had found thier ways around it, he was still reluctant to reveal any part of himself to someone other than her.
“She has told me of the clock structure of the City,” Severus began, filling his own cup at V’s refusal of the tea. “It’s control over the existence here. She tells me that there are those who are attempting to prevent the eventual end of the count down.”
Severus glanced up at his guest, wishing that he could read V’s reactions under that mask. Even if he had wanted to use Legilimency on the man, he could not today. The fact that he couldn’t use his power made him want to that much more. He supposed that normally, he would only spend a passing moment debating the idea- he did not like to reveal his Legilimency skills unless he absolutely had to.
“I wish to know more about the situation. Rukia seems quite dedicated to your cause, and has advised me to think on it myself.”
Beneath the mask he sighed, wearily. He rather hated having to admit such a monumental failure as the clock reset had been, and one that had nearly cost him his life to boot. However, in order to effectively combat the city's hold over it's prisoners , said prisoners had to understand the nature and deviousness of thier prison.
" Well, as you know, the city is in effect a giant clock.
If you have studied it's layout as I have you would see the buildings in which most citizens take residence are situated in a roughly circular pattern with the carousel dead center."
He picked up a circular bisquit to illustrate the difference between the city proper and the Underground beneath it.
"The carousel is the visible portion of a great machine that connects to all points within the city, and therefore is the 'winding knob' for the entire clock structure."
He replaced it on the plate and continued.
" The clock is counting down to The End. Meaning the end of this world and all worlds represented by the vas variations of beings here."
He sighed agian.
" You see, Severus, not only is the city a doomsday device, it is also alive. It possesses a sentience, and therefore a sense of cruel humor, which you have no doubt witnessed represented by the curses. These curses are meant to stimulate emotional states among us.
That is why we, as citizens, were brought here. For the city to 'feed' off of our emotions, our memories, and our very essence.
I personally discovered this nearly a month ago, and in the time since I , also personally, attempted to reset the great clock. I have records upon the Interlink if you wish to see it? Photos of the mechanism, and a record of what occurred during the reset."
Shifting slightly uncomfortably at the next step in the chronology of the city, he nevertheless continued.
" Unfortunately the deities were a great deal more powerful than I previously supposed, and a few weeks after I successfully reset the clock, they corrected the countdown to read as it would had I done nothing."
He chose to omit the fact he had nearly been killed in the effort, and that the city had since withdrawn it's regenerative influence on him.
He did not know Snape, after all, and there was no use allowing the other man to know he, V, was likely the only mortal left within the city walls.
Severus listened intently as V gave his explanation, nodding and humming his attention in the appropriate places. At the mention of the City’s ability to feed off of the emotions of those around him Severus’ mind returned to his use of mind magics. Might it possible that Occlumency could aid in the resolution? It sounded so similar to what the Dark Lord had been doing to the Potter brat…
“The City’s ability to feed off the emotions and memories concerns me.” Severus sipped from his tea as he tried to form his thoughts into coherent sentences. “In my world there is a Wizard who feeds off the negative emotions and memories of his enemies. There is indeed an entire section of magic dedicated to the manipulation and protection of such things.” Severus again took time to gather his thoughts. He needed to do more research, and he sorely missed his lab. There was nothing better to aid in such thinking than a well organized and structured laboratory.
“Do you know what would happen to the city if its emotional fodder were removed, or at least greatly diminished?”
V gave a small shrug
" There is no way to truly tell, but I have theorized that the city's hold over us would be broken, and one by one we would return to our worlds of origin, or in the case of those already dead, to thier final rest. If we could diminish the city's food source adequately, I believe the curses would be much alleviated, and the deities would lose a great deal of thier power."
He made a small gesture of helplessness.
" I am sorry to say I do not hold all the answers many wish I did, I simply know what I do through weeks and months of study and experimentation.
I have had assistance along the way, to be sure, however."
Severus absentmindedly grabbed an oblong biscuit, dinking it into his tea and thoughtfully nibbling the moistened end. Perhaps this was the answer to his current dilemma. If he could manage to block his mind from the city sufficiently he may find himself returned to his home.
“I believe I may be of some assistance to you, then.” Severus took a steadying breath. He was not yet sure that he should trust V so completely, but he had little choice at the moment.
“There is a way to hide, and even to transform ones emotions to outside sources. We call it Occlumency. It is a very obscure but useful form of magic, which I happen to be well versed in. I need more time to formulate a theory, but it may be possible to use Occlumency against the City, thus depriving it of the emotions and memories it feeds off.”
He couldn't help the small chuckle at the idea.
" I beg your pardon, Severus, for your idea does seem to have merit, but you are forgetting one simple fact: Not everyone possesses 'magic' here. If such a method of combating the city's influence works for yourself, and those from your world of origin, then by all means use it, but I can tell you now; attempting such a thing on the populace at large would be futile."
Having moved past the more uncomfortable aspects of this visit, V spoke animatedly, using gesture and posture to convey the emotion that Fawkes' frozen grin could not convey.
" Others have attempted to use thier own forms of 'magic' to find release from our gilded cage. It is rare that someone leaves this place, and far rarer that they return to tell about it. From what little information I have on the subject those who find exit seem to do so at random, and in some cases they find exit not to thier world of origin, but to a completly alien branch universe."
“It is true that not everyone here possesses a control over magical force, and as for those who do there is a vast range of schools... I know there is something I am missing. It is nagging at the back of my brain... I shall have to think on it more.” Severus sighed and sat back in his chair. It was infuriating not having his trusty books and potions gathered around him. His mind worked so much better when in the appropriate atmosphere, which this flat was decidedly not.
Severus decided it was time for a change in pace; a lighter conversation to clear the palate, if you will.
“Oh, what Potter would say if Occlumency were his only hope of returning to Hogwarts,” Severus chuckled at the image of Potter’s face upon hearing that news. He only hoped that if that were to be the case he would have the pleasure of breaking the news to the insolent boy.
The mask tilted in what was a visual cue to the smile beneath.
" Potter? Someone likewise from your world of origin?"
“Ah, yes; the bane of my existence, if you will,” Severus reached for the tea pot, refilling his drink before cradling the warm cup in his hands. “The last hope of survival for the Wizarding World. I had the distinct pleasure of attempting to teach the boy Occlumency. He was utter rubbish, and most infuriatingly, it was of his own choice.” Severus took a sip of his tea, relishing in the warming sensation.
“And what of you? I gather your world was in much turmoil as well.”
V nodded.
He could appreciate the irony of being forced to make allownaces for one's enemies in order to achieve greater ends.
" Turmoil is an interesting way of putting it"
'I would have called it anarchy', he thought with a touch of pride.
"My Britain was under the rule of a fascist government over twenty years. Corrupt from the top down." he added with an equal touch of bitterness.
"Through some -ah- 'aggresive persuasion' on my part the populace rose agianst it however, and on November 5th, it was toppled in the same conflagration I died in."
There, he said it.
One could never be terribly sure how someone reacts to the idea of sharing the city with the dead, but it was best Severus understand there were more than a few citizens who did not belong in the land of the living.
At least, thats how V had felt early on. Now that he had spent so much time with Evey, and been shown that it *was* possible to enjoy a semblance of a normal life in what was decidedly not a normal environment had made him question his goals.
Those musings he kept to himself, however, and simply remained quiet to see what more reactions the other man would display.
Severus nodded his understanding to V past plight. His own world was not far from such a fate, and he feared that if he could not figure out a way to return Potter to his rightful world the Dark Lord’s hold would be unstoppable.
The mention of V’s death did catch Severus unawares. He had heard of the Under World within the City, and that some of the inhabitants had found themselves locked in this place due to their own deaths, but he had thought there would be some way of telling who was dead and who was not. Some innate difference between the living and the dead. Apparently not.
Arching his brow in consideration, Severus decided to focus on what he viewed to be the safer topic; “‘Aggressive persuasion’? Hmm...” Severus smirked, showing his amusement at the euphemism.
V nodded and spread his hands in a gesture of humility.
" Yes. Aggressive, pyrotechnic persuasion".
He allowed himself a smug laugh at the memory of the bailey going up in flames.
Severus was a difficult man to read...but he had mentioned working as a spy, so it really made perfect sense that he would be quite capable of hiding his emotions.
" Ah, I do not know if you have been otherwise informed, but the ticking stops when in the company of others. A bothersome thing for those of use who generally prefer solitude."
Severus nearly sighed in relief when V accepted the distraction. It had been a long day and Severus wasn’t prepared to discuss his companion’s critical statistics. He had spent years training to control his emotions, but he some how felt... weaker with out his magic.
Severus could not repress a chuckle at V’s response. Yes, he could very well imagine that this man had wreaked havoc for the sake of the greater good. Fire seemed like it would suit the man quite nicely.
“Indeed, Rukia had mentioned as much.” Severus concentrated on the trying ticking, finding that, once again, it had disappeared. “There does seem to be a lingering effect- the noise had remained bearable for sometime after I regained my much loved solitude.”
V nodded.
" It is occasionally difficult, but having a companion, or perhaps even a room mate does a great deal for one's concentration.
Many citizens have taken to keeping pets to help ease the monotonous metronome as well. Keeping an animal does not make for a full cessation of the sound, but it does help.
Perhaps once you have aquired your proffesions' varying apparatice you may consider taking on something of the sort?"
“I may find myself in the company of a pet, though I doubt if I could acquire a flatmate. I am not the nicest of men, on my best days.” Severus sighed.
“If I could find someone with a modicum of aptitude, and a suitable location, I may well take on an apprentice. It is a common practice in my field.” Severus had never taken an apprentice, though Albus had often pressed him to. He was a solitary man and had never gotten on well with others- especially not the dunderheads he usually encountered.
“Perhaps you could keep your eye open for a place which would hold up well to vicious fumes and possible explosions?” V seemed to know every nook and cranny of the City- if he could find a place then perhaps Severus could find an apprentice. Lilly Evans was always quite good at potions- second in their class to Severus- perhaps she would be interested.
V couldn't help a small laugh at the description.
" If you require something to withstand explosion, I am afraid the underground is your best option. Subterranean cement walls, often half a meter thick in many place should hold up to such specifications. Your solitude requirements should be well-met there as well. Aside from the tube station, and myself, there are no other inhabitants."
V shifted and removed his pocket watch once agian.
" I must apologize, but I while it has been a pleasure speaking with you Severus, I have a prior engagement to attend to."
He stood and nodded to the other man, before beginning to collect his hat and cloak.
" I do hope you enjoy the wine? Evey has impeccable taste."
“Ah, the underground might just be what I am looking for, V. I should have thought of it myself- I have lived most of my life in a dungeon- the underground would be the closest substitution available.”
Severus stood and made his way to the shabby door. He had been glad for the company- and he certainly was not enjoying the thought of the return of that damned ticking- but he did not wish to hold the man up either.
“Yes, it has been a pleasure. Perhaps we should meet again, when we have more time for leisurely conversation.” Severus pulled open the door for his guest, casually nodding his head rather than offering his hand. He didn’t much like to touch people if not necessary, and he had the feeling that V did not either, what with all the effort he placed in being fully covered.
“I am certain that it shall be marvelous. It is not often that I have to opportunity to sample such treats as wine. If the wonderful smell of the shepherd's pie is anything to go by, I must agree on Miss Hammond’s taste.
“I must thank you for the information. It is always best to be well informed. I do hope we have a chance to do this again.”