Absit Omen RPG

"To random bar encounters." Loch said with a raise of the new drink, then sipped at it slowly.

The kid was continuing to be annoying but atleast it was off of brazenly discussing illegal activity in the middle of a bar where people would happily sell you out. So there was that, now offering for normal conversations, as if there was much in the magical world. Although he supposed he better decide whether the kid was worth his time and to check their intelligence as so far they seemed to be lacking.

"What Quidditch team you support." He said sternly.

"And my shop is around the corner."

The Quidditch team was important, it decided whether he was worth continuing to talk to, it better not be something dumb like the Chudley Cannons. Or else there will be some trouble brewing here, there was a correct answer in all of this after all. Regardless of what other people in the bar might believe.

What was up with this kid, he swears they must be fresh out of Hogwarts to be acting like this. Sure, he himself wasn't very good at keeping potions business under wraps and all, it was fairly obvious and easy to find for those looking for it. But even he did a better job at hiding it, he actually tried to hide it. And even then, the only truly illegal stuff is his Wolfsbane, but he has a method for delivering out that to people and for getting orders, taken courtesy of Dumbledores Army.

"I'm not an upstanding citizen, but if you want illegal potions, then don't. If you want potions you can easily brew yourself no questions asked, then there is business." A bit of a lie, he did brew quite a bit that most wouldn't be able to, some that required special equipment, expensive ingredients or just difficult to achieve. He sold them, but those tended to be more on request due to their nature, and discrete, the rest, well he was just a non licensed seller for the rest, with a no questions asked and a bit of a higher rate otherwise.

"But I will allow you to buy me my next drink. Double firewhiskey on the rocks." He said bluntly and gestured to the kid. "However the conversations better be worthwhile, or pleasant."

"I'll tell you to get legitimate potions. You think anyone is stupid enough to openly talk about brewing illegally." A busy bar was never a good place to talk about these things, why would you openly go after that stuff, he thought his shop was dangerous enough, let alone with him openly advertising to buy and sell illegal potions in public, if he was an information broker then why would he be so clumsy with it.

"If anyone is crazy enough to do such a thing, they wouldn't want it discussed in public, ever think of that? Knockturn isn't safe for anyone." Why would you trust anyone in Knockturn, of course they'd sell you out if it meant money to them or making them safer.

Its exactly what Loch would do also. if it meant immunity and more money he'd sell out other illegal brewers that he knew. It wouldn't ever get to that point, but it could potentially give him a better life or get him out of trouble if needed.

Mayhaps, mayhaps. Bloody, mayhaps. Who was this kid, who even says words like that?

He was saying he was Irish also, he must of been slapped alot for saying things like mayhaps as a younger child. As for the shop location, it was none of the persons business. This is perhaps one of the most delusional people he's met, he's speaking as if he is some sort of book character, or acting like he was from a story, his life and words written down, he supposed information brokers read alot and figured they were cool and suave, didn't work with him however.

He looks at the James Bond wannabe. "The invisible hand is going to leave a visible print on your face if you don't get to why you're really bothering me with this." He said sternly, this was not good drinking talk, good drinking talk was something you can do while drinking, like debating the best quidditch team, or about how your boss got turned into a duck. Dodgy business was a wine drinking, not proper drinking.

"So far all you've said is you're an information broker, why should I believe you, why should I trust you with anything."

"Yeah, Dublin." He replied in a slightly vexxed tone, he wasn't really one who wanted to talk about family origins, or early history, especially one who claims to be an information broker but seems to loudmouth himself and insist he's this big shot. Who wants to live in Knockturn? It wasn't this great place, if Diagon was the heart of the magical world in the UK then Knockturn was the stomach, alot of bad reactions and waste all mixing together.

He lived in Knockturn sure, but he really didn't want to be here, and he wouldn't consider anyone in Knockturn as great, still too many dodgy people, some he is sure are from the war, Mundungus Fletcher is probably still around somewhere skulking around trying to flog something he shouldn't have.

"I work in potions." Is all he replied to the question of his job, its all he really wanted to reply with, after all, what he was doing was sort of, kind of, very illegal. Especially the wolfsbane, ESPECIALLY if it was faulty like he had been told by the hag in his window.

"Mostly getting by as I'm hoping on getting alot of money to live a nice life out in Tahiti or Australia or something." Likely Australia, its warm, nice, strong alcohol, lots of magical stuff, although Kangaroos were scary, he wasn't sure if he could handle the Kangaroos.

He raised his glass to the forgetting and then sipped at it, he should really save his money for next time there is a party or something, he had a habit of spending an absurd amount on alcohol, although he didn't think Tess or Fauna cared much at him spending so much on their drinks. This kid however he wasn't likely to spend a huge amount on, he felt bad at ordering him a drink now with how he was annoying him so far.

"I evict a great many brats, and those full moons really play havoc with my memory lets say." He said with a slight inflection of annoyance in his voice, he wasn't going to let up at this was he? If he was an information dealer and frequenter of pubs he must know not to be so annoying right?

"Alright, say my name was Loch, would that really mean anything to you? After all everyone knows I'm not a thousand ear old werewolf." He finished his firewhiskey and put it down, gesturing to the bartender for another couple of drinks for himself, if he had to put up with Atticus next to him he might need all the drinks he can.

"They probably know you by name due to it being ridiculous." Lochlainn O'Keeffe said using the fake name of Knox Greyfriar. It seemed both Muggles and Wix were capable of coming up with the oddest sounding things possible. To which he turned and sipped his new double Firewhiskey shot in The Demons Head, in Knockturn Alley. Where someone would come up with the name Atticus was frankly ridiculous to him.

"What brings me to the Head is to-" He stopped himself quickly, that thought was not one he wanted to cross since an awkward encounter with Tessa. So maybe something more grounded. "To get hammered and forget about Hags." He finished his reply and the shot.

"And to get away from the damned children, can you imagine how noisy they are in that castle. Always constant drama there." He jested without a hint of humour in his tone, the person obviously knew he wasn't the Headmaster of Hogwarts, but he might aswell play around with it while he can.

"What brings you here?" He asked while looking idly into the crowd of people around, with his luck of running into former people from Hogwarts there must be someone here to save him. Or atleast the kids mother somewhere to tell him it's past his bedtime.

He looked the person over a few times, he was only a few years younger, or so he seemed. But that could mean anything really couldn't it. Seemed a bit cocky, a little bit arrogant, who introduced themselves by name immediately? Especially an information broker. Wasn't the point of that to keep information? He was doing a better job at it then Atticus was right now just by not telling his name immediately.

"Knox Greyfriar." He said casually before downing his shot and gesturing for another with some more money sliding across the bar. Loch rubbed at his face and then turned back to the kid as he lifted his pint. He had an accent, it sounded familiar somewhat, he looked a bit familiar, could of known him at Hogwarts, unlikely as Loch kept to himself alot as he worked. But it was nonetheless possible for it.

"If you're an information broker, why would you need for me to be introduced to you." He took another sip. "Also why are you revealing yourself immediately." Then another sip. "Also isn't it bit reckless to just introduce yourself to anyone?" One last sip. "What poor sod get's named Atticus?" He placed the empty pint glass down.

Lochlainn had been taking it a little easy today, as easy as he could, while also studying hard. He had alot of reading to do and going through several different potion books, cross referencing notes he had with those he's found reported on findings of potions from academic papers. It sort of mattered to him considering it was his lively hood, he was happy with his business, of course he was. However his main money making scheme was at risk and he may now be at war, after an incident with Baba Yaga the previous day.

He wasn't getting far though, at the very least his Wolfsbane seemed to be done perfectly, there wasn't any differences between what was described in the books and what he was making, unless the books were wrong with them themselves making it incorrectly. Or it was the slightest change, he had been selling at specific portion sizes, if nothing else he'll reduce the price down and sell in larger doses. By that chance he'l get the market on it hopefully and it may work properly, if its weaker then he just needs to gives more. As long as the Ministry weren't onto him with the coins. But they still had a murderer to catch.

In his quest to find more places to get hammered at, he decided to venture into Knocturn, passing by the brutish people on his way in he took in the place. It was...a place certainly. He didn't care for the guys at the front, although he may not be skilled in hand to hand, he still has the fair amount of muscle to be able to knock the lights out of them if they tried anything, plus once he gets some alcohol in himself he'd be unstoppable.

He sat down to yet another dour seeming person, asking for a double whiskey. Loch pulled a few sickles out and placed them down. "Pint of dragon scale for myself, double shot of Firewhiskey for myself and him." He gestured to the other person. "Give him something better to drink. Unless he can only handle muggle drinks."

She was leaving, so there was that, finally some peace and quiet, he didn't have his parents for much of his life, with both abandoning him at his grandparents and going to fight in the battle of Hogwarts. So he wasn't that used to mothers nagging, only grandparents. But he felt like another minute with this woman would be several lifetimes of motherly disappointment and scowling, how her children haven't become the greatest rebels alive was honestly shocking to him, Figaro aside from his obsession with truth potions and wrong opinions on Quidditch, he seemed like a normal person. How did that happen with this person for a mother? How was he not blowing up the toilets at Hogwarts every week or even now trying to sell gillyweed. Maybe Fig was a stronger person then he took him for.

And now she was threatening him. He believed she was a threatening woman, he felt bullied by her. However he doubted she could disrupt him much, for a start he buys stuff in person at shops not through suppliers, so he found it rather unlikely she could disrupt him much without breaking into his home or attacking him, and she didn't seem the type who would just call the aurors. She didn't want them at her door and chose to confront him instead of telling them, so how would she try doing anything without outright attacking him?

"You know, the saying I learned works very well here aswell." He continued, despite her making to leave, he thought it could help her with this situation. And he wouldn't let her try getting the last word in this, if she tries threatening he wanted the last word, he wouldn't be as petty as her to threaten her, he didn't think threatening old women was very right of himself.

Recounting the saying, he added. "If you aren't going to help. You can go fuck yourself."

Ok maybe it wasn't French, but it made him sound somewhat dramatic, like in mafia and crime stories.

You can get gold cauldrons, but he's rarely found gold in his cauldrons, he also makes sure to clean them really well, he'd have to or else he can have explosions, its not a good idea to not clean them. So he had very little clue as to what she's talking about, hell his potions tended to be good for people, joint relief ones were fairly popular, he often sold ones that make people feel much better in the night so how is he brewing pain? Its not his fault the Wolfsbane didn't work, how was he to know?

"Don't have to actively brew something to know how to tell whats wrong." He sighed and stood up properly, giving himself a bit of height to look out at her, he'd have to close up for a day or two after this, atleast it gives him enough time to brew more stuff and to get ingredients, plus he can sleep in, maybe even try to see Tessa or Fauna. Either way it allows him to get hammered so ultimately a break for couple of ideas would be useful.

There was still the fourth option he hadn't told her yet, and it seemed unlikely she'd go with the other three, the job was highly highly unlikely as it was, the money was stupid and mostly said to annoy her but give an option. He did think she'd help him brew however as it would mean both can continue like nothing was going on. But she wanted a fight it seemed, he won't take the first move, doesn't want to give her a reason to get Aurors to investigate.

"You know there was a saying I learned in Paris, its truly amazing what it is. And it works in alot of situations."

"Yes of course Werewolves talk." He said in a bit of a patronizing tone, he knew they talked. Information spread like wildfire. And of course they can talk, they were only werewolves for half a day a month, he'd also met Tia who he knew talked, she even had a girlfriend in the form of Fauna. Who regardless if Tia talked or not, would easily talk for both of them and not even need to take a breath.

The woman before him seemed genuinely annoyed, and same time trying to help, he knew the only reason she would was to avoid anyone knocking on her door, but it still opened a door for him, she'd want him to shut down still sure, but if he won't, would she be willing to help?

"Looks like there are four options here." He put on a more business like approach, the type you'd give as if giving a CV. "First, is just give me enough money to open my own shop and get a license. Consider it an investment." He knew she wouldn't, thats stupidly expensive and what reason would she have to believe him. "Second is teach me how to brew correctly, if there's no problems, no one will both for longer."

Then he leaned in close, both arms on the windowsill. "Third is give me a damn good job at your place, like good pay and full benefits." It was the least likely of them, he believed she'd be more likely to give him money straight up with the faint promise of getting paid back then she would to sully her apothecary with him.

"Aye aye, Bludgers are the equalizer, but we can use them also and can smash yer heads in." It was true bludgers could equalize but the truth is, none of Ballycastle were weak enough to accept taking a shot to the head as the end of the match for them. They're thick skulled, may seem like an insult but those in northern Ireland are a hardy breed, not accepting a simple injury like massive cranial trauma to stop them from catching the snitch.

So he didn't get much information that night, but it didn't matter to him so much, Fauna was incredibly drunk, if anything he wondered how it was possible for her to walk right now seeing how she was stumbling about the place and had to hold onto Tia. And Figaro just couldn't accept that he was wrong about Quidditch! The Falcons weren't a team, they weren't even flying clowns. They were the entire circus! Barely anything good can come from Cornwall, the Falcons were the closest to good and even then its debatable that they were a quidditch team.

"Homes sounds good." He sighed as he stood up from his chair, he checked his pockets to see how much money he had left, very much aware that whoever was on glass cleaning duty would be running overtime this night, he very much felt like they'd need a tip, although he himself could probably do with money after the night also, it had been fun but perhaps he should insist less in the future to pay for every drink.

So what had come from the night, alot of alcohol...wine isn't bad he supposed...Figaro liked telling the truth, or atleast what he assumed was the truth when it came to Quidditch. Tia and Fauna seemed like a cute couple, and to him a bit interesting, werewolf who said she had contacts for wolfsbane, and an Auror. That was bound to get interesting if anything happened with Loggorhea.

Faulty Wolfsbane? He had considered at one point that it may not be perfect, if anything he assumed at most it would be weak, not to professional standards like if you got from the Ministry, but it was available for those who didn't want official, faulty was not good, she had a point. Perhaps her only good point here so far, so she had managed something productive.

"How would you know its faulty?" He asked casually, ignoring the part of her accusing him (rightfully) of brewing Wolfsbane, if he can flip it a bit, he can get information, that would be useful. Such as how to spot a bad batch, she had more experience, she must of brewed it before, and successfully. He'd try his best to get information on how to know if its bad or good.

But that did present a problem, he very much knew it would draw attention if it was bad, rabid werewolves who run about slaughtering people is not good, and if they know there is a faulty brewer, they'd go after them. If it was a good potion but done illegally, there is less reason to go after them. Sure you'd still want them, but its better to have good illegal brews on the street...bad ones are trouble and so if it got out, eyes would be hunting for the bad potions and their origin quicker. So he'd have to act fast to correct.

"I don't brew piss. If anything potentially swill. Thats if I was to brew potions after all. I got an Outstanding in my N.E.W.T, and no one complained in Paris when I worked in a shop there." He tried his best not to sound insulted at the insult to his craft, the bad stuff he disposes of carefully. Although disposing of bad potions can sometimes be difficult, but he was good at spotting them, and his potions are almost always perfect, some he was not certain of, but then those he didn't sell. Wolfsbane however, as far as he could tell was all perfect. Even with his limited practice of it, nothing seemed wrong?

"Now, I don't know what you may think of it, I'd presume it is negative. But I'm just a person trying to get by." He was honest in that regard, but her accusations were wearing on him.

He felt for his wand again to make sure it was there, she was removing any hint of this being a friendly engagement, and as such he wanted to double check again that he was prepared if she was to start anything, he doubted she was the type to get her hands dirty in this manner, perhaps direct the ministry to his door, open murder was a bit tricky to get away, but he didn't doubt there'd be a good hexing involved, he really didn't fancy that happening to him.