(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

Lucius? Did you forget that we planned to meet for lunch? I've been at Il Monello for forty-five minutes. Signore Ramundo is most distressed that I've kept putting him off so long.

Is something amiss? Remember, dearest, I do have an appointment at two. And so have you, if I recall!

Comments

[alt_lucius]

My apologies, my love. Something's come up. Please don't delay any longer on my account. I doubt I shall be able to join you.

[alt_narcissa]

Well, we shall have to return again sometime. Giordano was most disappointed when I didn't linger over anything much more than a salad. He claims it was a waste of his kitchen, though I am sure it was rather fresher than almost anywhere in town except perhaps Portico. At least it had none of the dreadful traits of these little storefronts cropping up, full of transfigured mush. Nothing but fat in a pie crust!

So you don't think you'll be home before 7, then? I wonder if I could scare up enough hands for whist. One does tire of an empty table three meals in a row.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Athena's been hounding me to take her to Bargello, but perhaps we should try Il Monello instead? Italian's not my favourite cuisine, but I do trust your judgement in these things. Your recommendations always prove reliable.

[alt_narcissa]

I generally find pasta far too heavy myself, but Chef Ramundo specialises in a more classical Roman influence: simple preparations, fish, vegetables, delicate seasoning and light sauces - not overpowering the palate. Half the menu is directly from Vitto Pitagorico. Really it's about as far from Bolognese as one can manage.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Sounds promising. Perhaps we can try it soon. Half at least of all one finds on restaurant menus these days seems deliberately intended to pack ballast on our frames. Do they imagine we are squirrels, storing up fat for a long winter?

Honestly. I was in the Lobby just this morning, waiting to catch Pennifold as he came through the Floo, and you would not believe the girth of some of our employees: it's a marvel some of them can squeeze out through the grates. Appalling.

Travers proposes that MLE might offer a reducing plan for the Ministry: we could run them daily through the course downstairs as target dummies. Self-preservation is a strong incentive for even the most indolent sorts. Sadly, the Minister is unlikely to approve.

[alt_narcissa]

It's a constant complaint of mine - so many only ever Apparate or Floo and never take any exercise or look after their own spreading silhouettes. But the cuisine shift I blame entirely on an over-reliance on transfigured starches as a base. Heavy oils, rich cream sauces to cover the taste of artificial foods - and loaded with unhealthy sugars besides.

In fact, Celia and I have been discussing a series of articles rating the success and advisability of several plans currently available either in private programmes or being published. I don't know if you've glanced at the weight management sections of Whirl recently but half of their suggestions are nearly as sadistic as Travers' suggestion - and probably less effective! Still, one does need to maintain oneself and there's no excuse for neglecting to do so.

Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_lucius]

I have learned the reason for Crispin's inattention to his duties of late. He has been securing another position for himself and intends to leave my service. Leaving!

Too stunned at present to offer a coherent précis of our morning's discussion. Five years and this is how he chooses to tender a resignation? Without even enlisting my approval or assistance in the matter? Skulking about in secret conversations and enlisting the complicity of his prospective employer to keep his activities from me. Oh, he claims to have tried to 'find the right moment' to tell me but instead he has waited until the last possible moment - not even two weeks until his new position begins!

Needless to say the news has resulted in chaos on my end; in a way, he is fortunate that I shall be keeping my course time at the Elysian. He is lucky I did not elect instead to practise cursework on him!

Damn Crouch for snatching up Ned. Where shall I find another competent aide?

I am sorry, my dear. I did not mean to leave you waiting - but as you can see I have been ... confounded by this revelation. It is beyond vexing!

Re: Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

What? But where is he going? It must have been quite an opportunity to convince him to leave you.

Now, darling, I know this is a blow, but I'm sure he shan't leave you completely in the lurch. You know he thinks very highly of you. He must have been terribly nervous to say anything. Of course, waiting only makes you more justifiably upset, whereas if he'd told you sooner you'd have had more time to prepare. But he's young to learn such things.

How soon must he go? Is there no way to convince him to stay? Even for a little while longer? Perhaps Christmas? By then you should be able to engage a suitable replacement.

By all means, go to the club; it will help. And don't go storming back to the St James' house, either - talk it over with Ari. He always helps you level your head over things. I'll see you tonight and we can discuss it more calmly at length.

Were you able to talk to Barty, at least, before all this came out?

Re: Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_lucius]

Oh, he has parlayed his association with me into an opportunity, all right. Fleet and Gibson offered him the supervision of the new Office for the Regulation of Commercial Enterprise. Since summer's reclamation projects, Gibson's had this in mind. I should have known when he suggested Crispin had talent in the field. And Fleet - asking me my opinion of him as a clerk! I'm a fool not to have made the connexion myself before now.

But according to Crispin, he's already stayed longer than they wanted and the Regulatory office anticipates an influx of applications and the need for inspection tours as we approach the holiday season. Thus, they require him as of 1st November to begin training. He has sworn to procure an interim assistant with at least a few days' transition and offered to consult his replacement once I have chosen a permanent clerk.

That does little to mollify me, however. It is intolerable to be expected to accept such short notice! And kindly do not tell me to get my head put back on straight by Ari; I believe I have every reason to react as I have done.

All right. I shall be late if I continue thus. Whoever else is running the course this afternoon had best be on guard.

Re: Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

Well. Surely you don't blame him for wishing to rise on his own? You are naturally perturbed by his duplicity in keeping it from you, as anyone would be. But I can understand why he might have done. You would have offered him a rise in salary or some other temptation to keep him. And it might have worked for a while, dearest, but a young man of Crispin's talents can't be expected to remain your clerk for the rest of his days. And perhaps he has met someone, as you suspected, and remembering your conversations with him while he was seeing Miss Kirke made him realise he had to take a position where he could dictate his own hours or manage what he needs to start a family. After all, it is a sizable promotion, and something he couldn't do if he'd continued with you.

It's certainly a bad hex, husband, and I know it's a terrible inconvenience to you. But I think that what is really troubling you is that he did not enlist your help, nor obtained your approval, before taking this decision. Isn't that right? What does Ari say about it? (And no, I did not mean to imply that you need him to analyse you, only that talking with him always seems to steady you.)

Re: Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_lucius]

I've not had the chance to speak to him, steadying or no. Barty had some news that could not wait for action. I had the club inform Ari.

However, it means I shall be here through supper as well, most likely, or at the Ministry. Can you forgive me for missing your company twice in one day? I promise you will like the reason when I tell you.

It's been quite enough to steady me all its own, in fact.

Re: Private Message to Narcissa

[alt_narcissa]

Thrice in one day, Lucius. Did you forget already that you left before I came down to breakfast?

I suppose if you must, you must. But you'll have to make it up to me; you are not forgiven just because it's some form of good news.