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Post by Luffy on Jan 2, 2007 23:40:13 GMT -5
*Adrian's eyes dropped to the floor briefly, before he turned his attention back to Quinn* "He might, but... he's unavailable." *Adrian bit his lip, hoping he wouldn't push the matter any further.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 2, 2007 23:41:40 GMT -5
*Orpheus hesitated, observing Adrain's body language... He didn't really want to question him any further on the matter, but he knew that he should if he wanted to do his job.* "Unavailable, sir...?"
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Post by Luffy on Jan 2, 2007 23:46:20 GMT -5
"Huh?" *Adrian shook his head, looking over at the man. "He just recently lapsed back into his coma." *Adrian's face went blank as he let out a sigh.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 2, 2007 23:47:35 GMT -5
*Orpheus' expression softened considerably as he immediately regretted asking.* "Oh... oh... My apologies, Mr. Pickett... I was unaware of his condition..."
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Post by Luffy on Jan 2, 2007 23:54:48 GMT -5
"All is well, Mr. Quinn." *Adrian put on a smile, though it didn't truly belong at his lips.* "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
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Post by Kait on Jan 2, 2007 23:57:29 GMT -5
"No... I believe that covers it... Unfortunately, you have far more important things to worry about than a couple of rogue cauldrons. Forgive the intrusion. I'll make sure that no one at the ministry bothers you any longer unless absolutely necessary. And if you receive any owls or other communications for customers with faulty cauldrons, simply direct them to my department and we'll handle them."
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Post by Luffy on Jan 3, 2007 0:00:03 GMT -5
"That's kind of you. It's greatly appreciated." *Adrian suddenly felt awkward, realizing that the conversation was at an end.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 3, 2007 0:01:51 GMT -5
*Orpheus gave a bit of a sad smile before turning to the door.* "Thank you once again, Mr. Pickett. If there's anything you require, please don't hesitate to contact me..."
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Post by Luffy on Jan 3, 2007 0:07:07 GMT -5
"I'll be sure to make myself scarce of bother." *Adrian took off his glasses, sliding them back in his pocket, before moving behind the counter, and smiling faintly at Orpheus.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 3, 2007 0:08:38 GMT -5
*Orpheus gave a brief nod before looking away, opening the door and leaving the building, shutting it behind him as he walked away.*
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Post by Luffy on Jan 3, 2007 0:21:20 GMT -5
*Adrian kept his eyes on the door until Orpheus was out of sight. He grabbed his shirt off of the counter, walking over to the door as he buttoned his shirt half-way, locking the door, and apparating to the hospital. *
"How's he doing?" *Adrian asked the nurse he had caught on his way to his father's room. The nurse looked at him with sad eyes, putting a hand on his shoulder gingerly.* "We don't know what happened, Adrian. He just passed away a few minutes ago. I'm so sorry for your loss."
*Adrian's eyes widened as the nurse gave him an apologetic glance before continuing her walk down the hall. Shocked, he stood completely still, his heart throbbing profusely.* "I need a drink..." *Adrian mumbled, before sullenly apparating to the Leaky Cauldron.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 3, 2007 0:33:19 GMT -5
*Orpheus returned to the ministry, quietly taking a seat at his desk. He wasn't alone for long before Callie came up to him.*
"Did you get anything more from Pickett?"
*Orpheus simply shook his head.* "No... and the man seems to be having lots of personal problems at the moment, so I believe it would be best if we left him alone. Make sure that he isn't disturbed unless it's absolutely necessary for our investigation."
*Callie gave him a surprised and confused look.* "Since when do you care about victims?"
"I always care, Robles."
"Well yeah, but it's not like you ever show it..."
"Mr. Pickett's father is seriously ill. Besides, Mr. Pickett doesn't seem to know anything about the buyers and suppliers of these cauldrons... I believe his father was the one that knew most about them. There's no need to bother a man who has his own troubles and no clues for us to follow."
*Callie frowned at him, still looking rather confused, but she finally just shrugged and walked off.* "Whatever you say, Quinn."
*Orpheus sat at his desk for a while longer, researching all of the names associated with the cauldrons until it was time to leave. He had just put on his hat and tidied his desk when a small group of his coworkers, Callie included, approached him.*
"We're going out for a few drinks, Quinn. Care to come along?"
"No, that's all right... I appreciate the offer, but it's been a long day and I'd--"
*He was cut off as one of the men grabbed him by the arm.* "It wasn't really a question, Quinn. You've been working far too hard. Come on! You're drinking with us tonight, whether you like it or not."
*Despite his protests, Orpheus found himself being led off to the Leaky Cauldron, finally falling silent as his coworkers chatted and laughed together on the way.*
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Post by Luffy on Jan 3, 2007 0:39:13 GMT -5
*Adrian had two glasses of wine, and two more stacks of papers graded. Still, he didn't feel like going home. Not to an empty house, and not to Iris, much less, who obviously hadn't heard the news, for she hadn't tracked him down in hysterics yet. His hands shook occasionally, as he would look over test questions from students. He ignored it, ordering another glass of wine, and continued his work.*
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Post by Kait on Jan 3, 2007 0:41:50 GMT -5
*Orpheus reluctantly took a seat with his coworkers, not at all sharing in their spirited mood or their constant chatter. He didn't even order anything to drink, simply sitting there listening while the others talked.*
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Post by Luffy on Jan 3, 2007 0:48:19 GMT -5
*Adrian shook his head, zoning in and out of reality as he wrote comments on each student's test. He rubbed his temples, glancing around the room casually. He noted a large table, loud and cheery, who, if he wasn't so spacey, would have otherwise interrupted his frame of thought while grading. Upon further observing each witch and wizard individually, he noticed the petite woman from the Ministry chatting away happily, and next to her, was Mr. Quinn.*
"Odd, he doesn't seem like the social type." *Adrian went back to grading papers, taking a gulp of wine, and sighing dourly. How was it that his dad, his old man, would leave him like this?*
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