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Order Only: Ken and Jack's set up
I've spent the past few weeks popping by Ken and Jack's in the guise of a friendly neighbourhood stray. Alice and Remus, I'm sure they've already told you about the muggle servants Ken and Jack requisitioned, but for those of you who don't know, there's a mum and dad, Betsy and Eamon Fisher, with their kids, Meg, who is about 12, and Colum, about eight. Meg really LOVES the Professor, so it's been easy to hang around, napping in corners after cadging treats. There are two other men, one I'd guess to be in his early 20s (Howell) and one who is older. Harder to estimate his age, because he's seen some hard living, but perhaps somewhere between 40 and 50 (Collins). Oh, I guess Jack and Ken can tell you their ages; it must be in their work requisition parchmentwork.
They've been working under Ken and Jack for about two months, and the mum has just about stopped flinching any time either Jack or Ken come within ten feet of her kids. I'll bet she's heard some horror stories about wizard masters in the camps--if she hasn't experienced it herself, that is. I heard Collins saying low over dinner to Howell one evening, 'they haven't even cursed us yet.' So the general impression they've seemed to pick up is that their new masters are kind, at least. Or maybe they're a bit too busy and perhaps inept to be cursing their servants a lot.
Part of the impression of ineptness is deliberate, of course. Ken had a shouty bit with Jack the morning after they moved that flat of three-quarters of the grapes they arranged with Jeremy's crew to spirit away in the dead of night. 'HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO FILL ALL THOSE BOTTLES WHEN YOU NEVER ORDER ENOUGH?!' Betsy was nervous and kept the children near her, but then seemed relieved that no one chucked anything at her.
Jack's picked up a few tricks about hiding things in inventory, too. It's strange how there's never an empty bottle around when you need one. So far I think the muggles are mostly just puzzled, but Collins and Howell maybe suspect something's up, particularly Collins. He isn't doing as much of the heavier chores, like mopping, scrubbing out the brewery vats and so on, because of his arthritis, so maybe he has more time to think. And I saw him almost start to argue with Jack once when Jack told him to put some 'spoiled' mash back by the rubbish bins, like he suspected it was perfectly fine.
So they--Howell and Collins--have said a few things, low, when Jack and Ken aren't around. I think Collins is wondering if his masters are skimming the books to cheat Pansy.
Mr and Mrs Fisher are still terribly unnerved whenever Hitty pops by to deliver lunch to Ken and Jack. I think they're just not used to house elves. Mrs Fisher in particular always jumps about a foot whenever she hears Hitty's apparition pop.
Anyway. They aren't planning any mayhem while I've been listening to them. I don't think they're the type that'll scheme about how to get perks by reporting on their masters. The Fishers at least are relieved that they've landed with 'nice masters' and that they're all together as a family. But Howell and Collins suspect that something hinky is going on.
Anyway, I've written this up a bit further, and I'll send copies to Alice, Pansy, Jack and Ken.
They've been working under Ken and Jack for about two months, and the mum has just about stopped flinching any time either Jack or Ken come within ten feet of her kids. I'll bet she's heard some horror stories about wizard masters in the camps--if she hasn't experienced it herself, that is. I heard Collins saying low over dinner to Howell one evening, 'they haven't even cursed us yet.' So the general impression they've seemed to pick up is that their new masters are kind, at least. Or maybe they're a bit too busy and perhaps inept to be cursing their servants a lot.
Part of the impression of ineptness is deliberate, of course. Ken had a shouty bit with Jack the morning after they moved that flat of three-quarters of the grapes they arranged with Jeremy's crew to spirit away in the dead of night. 'HOW DO YOU EXPECT US TO FILL ALL THOSE BOTTLES WHEN YOU NEVER ORDER ENOUGH?!' Betsy was nervous and kept the children near her, but then seemed relieved that no one chucked anything at her.
Jack's picked up a few tricks about hiding things in inventory, too. It's strange how there's never an empty bottle around when you need one. So far I think the muggles are mostly just puzzled, but Collins and Howell maybe suspect something's up, particularly Collins. He isn't doing as much of the heavier chores, like mopping, scrubbing out the brewery vats and so on, because of his arthritis, so maybe he has more time to think. And I saw him almost start to argue with Jack once when Jack told him to put some 'spoiled' mash back by the rubbish bins, like he suspected it was perfectly fine.
So they--Howell and Collins--have said a few things, low, when Jack and Ken aren't around. I think Collins is wondering if his masters are skimming the books to cheat Pansy.
Mr and Mrs Fisher are still terribly unnerved whenever Hitty pops by to deliver lunch to Ken and Jack. I think they're just not used to house elves. Mrs Fisher in particular always jumps about a foot whenever she hears Hitty's apparition pop.
Anyway. They aren't planning any mayhem while I've been listening to them. I don't think they're the type that'll scheme about how to get perks by reporting on their masters. The Fishers at least are relieved that they've landed with 'nice masters' and that they're all together as a family. But Howell and Collins suspect that something hinky is going on.
Anyway, I've written this up a bit further, and I'll send copies to Alice, Pansy, Jack and Ken.
Private message to Ken Towler and Jack Sloper
Maybe you might talk with Sally-Ann or Jeremy about it, the ways that masters can act that are effective and reassuring, I mean, because of all of their experience at the Stretton Farms?
no subject
It sounds like things are manageable so far -- and I'm fine if the consensus is that they're pulling one over on me, as long as that's a good enough reason for them to stay quiet about it.
You might see how much they talk with the pickup crew, or Stebs's people, to see if they're spreading rumours or keeping mum.
no subject