➊st (video)

[substandard]

[the entry starts with Draco suddenly leaning away from the stationary screen, looking relatively bewildered—and not looking at the camera, because he doesn't know what that is or where to find it. he leans back forward, observing the screen, and gives it an uncertain little tap. he mumbles, a little.]

Is it working, then?

[he rolls his eyes and sighs.]

Feel like a sodding idiot... Well, here goes.

[and, unsure if this is properly doing its thing or not, Draco just hopes that it's working so that he's not literally talking to a wall. Draco seems to decide looking at the screen is probably the best course of action, as he talks—so to those viewing him, his eyecontact isn't direct, but hey, it's not too off!]

Some of you've already met me; my name is Draco Malfoy. I'm a somewhat recent arrival for this embarrassment of a city.

[and, as is characteristic of his house, Draco gets straight to business.]

I heard this was probably the easiest way to contact people conveniently, since there's no other option. I'm looking for a partner—someone to rely on when I start to get ill.

[he prays people get his meaning.]

That said, besides obviously helping the health of whoever steps up to the task, you won't be doing this for nothing. I'm a wizard—I know magical abilities aren't incredibly uncommon around here, but there's a fair bit of magic that can be incredibly convenient in the—[Draco half scowls, half winces,] domestic scheme of things, I guess...

Anyway—a simple exchange of information, such as where we're living or places we frequent, and trust enough to find one another as necessary is all I ask.

Comments

voice;

[the_ninja]

[With his own... quota- there, that's a nice, neutral word with no implications of awkward contact- starting to flag somewhat, consider him tentatively interested. Not that he's going to let that on, of course. Better to stick to the more intriguing -and less humiliating- topic of domestic wizardry.]

What kind of magic are we talking? [There's a hint of a smile in his voice.] You're going to have to narrow it down for me a little.

video;

[substandard]

[oh now wait a moment. Draco somehow didn't consider that men would obviously respond to this as well. he supposes objectively it's okay, even if on principle it's grating and he would prefer a lady...

but, beggars, choosers, etc.

mostly, Draco's not sure what to do with that question.]

What kind? From my perspective: most. I'm pretty talented with potions—though that one will be tricky without its proper texts, transfiguration, charms, hexes, and I can apparate.

Not that I'm terribly confidant you're familiar with any of that.

[the_ninja]

[It's not something that really occurred to him when he answered; when you've spent half your life skulking in shadows and the other half grappling with other men at close quarters, you tend to lose sight of any gender-related awkwardness. If he's honest, it's the age- who has time for teenagers anyway?- that would put him off first but...

The Ninja doesn't like his tone particularly but he's going to be terribly magnanimous and put it down to the delicate nature of the conversation. Besides, he's got his attention now.]

I wouldn't say I'm intimate with the mechanics, no, but I think I get the gist of it. [musingly] It's a shame to have to waste those kinds of abilities on chores, really.

[substandard]

[the age is certainly a fair argument, and Draco in particular is an especially obnoxious teenager.]

True, maybe—but I'd say it's a fair exchange for something as simple as physical contact.

[the_ninja]

[There's a short silence and, just as it looks as though he's decided against answering, The Ninja speaks up again.]

... you know, you could have been harder with your negotiations- the benefits of contact here go both ways, you know, and there are a fair amount of people in your situation. [Such as himself. How embarrassing.] If you were desperate, I could fill in for whoever you'd normally go to.

[substandard]

Really. From the talk of some people, I'd figured that it was uncommon. [Draco's scowl tightens, an eyebrow raising for a moment as he notes this to rub it in Hermione's face later. he figured there was a possibility, of course.] Good to know.

Your name, then?

[unfortunately, Draco hasn't the slightest idea that The Ninja's suffering from the situation that Draco himself is currently working to protect himself against...]

[the_ninja]

... The Ninja. [And then, anticipating resistance to answering with such an obvious codename, he hurriedly adds-] It's nothing personal, Malfoy, but I never go by anything but that- not even my partner uses my real name.

[substandard]

[Draco scoffs a bit, truthfully and rather impolitely tickled by the introduction.]

I take it you're... a ninja, then. Brilliant.

voice ---> video

[the_ninja]

And you were obviously blessed with excess perceptiveness. [But there's a new, cheerful lilt to his voice and, after a few moments and a small amount of flickering, the audio feed turns into a visual one.] Since we're business partners of sorts, I thought you might as well be able to recognise my face.

video

[substandard]

Of course. My breeding is impeccable.

[Draco scoffs, and then watches the feed flicker to video. Draco has to say he prefers to have a face.]

Fair enough, yeah. Where are you living?

[the_ninja]

Then that's two things we have in common. [Proud shinobi heritage, proud wizard heritage... what's the difference anyway?] Building one, floor three and the fifth room but if you need me in an emergency, I can almost definitely get to you faster than you can me. Where are you staying?

[substandard]

[Draco nearly laughs. as far as he's concerned, anyone without magical heritage is far from endowed with good genes.]

Really? Well, good to know. But I'm not so sure about that—any place I've seen before, I can be there an in instant. Apparition. Magic's handy that way.

I'm in 2-06, building two.

[the_ninja]

[Ah, that's right, he did mention something about that, didn't he? For a moment, The Ninja looks wrong-footed, even a little put out at being upstaged, before hurriedly covering it up with a shrug.]

You're assuming that I'll be sitting around at home, waiting for your call. I could be somewhere you've never been before.

[substandard]

True. I don't know how often I'll be home, either. I guess that's the one problem with these arrangements, honestly—you can't just expect one person to stay in one spot, but then, what else is to be done?

Suppose I could always warn someone through this thing, first...

[the_ninja]

Mmm, I guess that's the best option. [He falls silent for a brief moment before putting his head to one side.] ... about your magical skills... would you mind showing them to me in person? I'm curious.

[substandard]

[Draco's shoulders pinch in a shrug, smiling lopsidedly.]

I suppose. Might then be fair of you to give me some kind of ninja-y demonstration.

[the_ninja]

[woundedly] Ninjutsu is an art form, not a circus act- but I'm an even-handed man and that's a fair enough exchange. Where would you prefer we meet? I'm not a fan of gawking crowds.

[substandard]

[Draco's distracted from The Ninja's question, expression contorting into an angry scowl.]

Are you implying magic is a circus act? Maybe to ruddy muggles, but it's every bit as much an art form. Watch your tongue or lose yourself the privilege of witnessing it.

[the_ninja]

Easy there, junior, didn't I say it was a fair exchange? [He holds up his hands in a gesture of mock surrender- it's about the closest he's going to get to apologising. "Muggle", though. That's a new one to add to his dictionary- he'll have to quiz Ataru on it later and see if he knows what it means.] Which means that we're on even ground here. Believe me, I have a lot of respect for the arcane arts.

[substandard]

Well... alright then. [Draco self consciously and awkwardly frowns, glancing off for a moment before he gives a terse little nod.] You had better well have the respect.

When did you want to exchange demonstrations?

[the_ninja]

[Touchy little thing, isn't he? But then, that's teenagers for you.]

I'm free now. [He pauses for a brief, slightly embarrassed few seconds, frowning.] Although, I'm not sure that I should- I've been a little... lax on my own contact requirements. We might need to postpone until I can... you know.