Kronos Malvivicus was boldly dressed as his very own self, walking the lamp-lit streets of Muggle London by night with only one solitary Ward following him in the shadows by a short distance.  Kronos wore a very vibrant, green business suit of an odd, Wizardly sort of cut.  He had a lighter, lime green embroidery lining his breast pocket, a similarly coloured tie, a pale orange shirt tucked crisply beneath, and low-cut, pale orange spats fitted over his green leather shoes.  Upon his head sat a wide-rimmed, lime green hat with two neon orange feathers tucked safely underneath the silky, emerald ribbon.

With purpose, Kronos went toward Diagon Alley, and held his head tall and proud as he made his way to Rover's Fancy, the pub where he'd find one Rufus Uriah Paganell Delacroix, who wasn't quite expecting his company.  It would be a... pleasant surprise.

Undoing the bricks with a flourish in his wrist (it was a rare pleasure he ventured into Diagon Alley out of costume), Kronos grinned and rambled out a limerick strictly out of celebration:

"A Scotland castle, bleak. The host,
'To all my ancestors, a toast!'
The front door opens wide
And enters there inside
A gust! A guest aghast! A Ghost!"

He went within and quickly through the Leaky Cauldron, walking purposefully toward his destination in the cool night air, thankful that it wasn't raining.  It'd be raining again soon but at least he wasn't in it now.  Kronos was in a good and solitary mood of determination and sly fun.  As he approached the pub without problem he ducked inside and went straight-away to seek attention at the bar.

He didn't see the man he'd come to know from quite a far distance, yet.  But he happened to know without the slightest doubt that Mister Delacroix would be present, here, tonight.  He nodded modestly at one of the current barkeeps and ushered him over without a lot of effort. 

"Allo," he said in his best E'ryday Londoner's tongue.  "Personal business for Rufus, Rufus Delacroix.  I think he'd like to see me somewhere private and warm, yeah?  Call him if you would."  He set a galleon on the counter for a bit of oomph behind his words, something he knew always helped with people who didn't quite know... who they were dealing with.  Now it was just a matter of waiting.

The barkeep grinned peckishly, nodding that he understood the inquiry. "Be right back, boss man. I'll go grab 'im." Another one on the opposite side took over, keeping watch over the place, giving a smirk towards Kronos' attire. Needless to say, it was an eyecatcher.

"Pag? You got a visitor, mate. He looks rather....interesting. Says it's personal business. Where you want 'im?"

Rufus looked up from his chair in his office, glasses over the chocolate eyes and a breadwinner's smile evident. "I'll meet him 'round private room three. Send the gent there, yeah? Go now." The barkeep rushed back downstairs as Rufus readjusted his outfit, heading down the other side of steps and to the private room, ensuring it was properly stocked.

"Eyoh, boss man? If you would, please  follow me. Pag said for me to lead the way." He began walking, entrusting Kronos to keep the pace until they arrived to the room. Knocking twice, the barkeep opened the door and left Kronos alone with Rufus. Foolish boy, but how was he to know this was indeed the dangerous man the Ministry was looking for?

"Thanks, Lou!" Rufus gave a holler to before giving full undivided attention to Kronos. "Hullo, I'm Rufus, but of course, I think you may have already known that. Do come in. I've a stocked bar and if you're feelin' a bit hungry, I'll let the staff in the kitchen whisk you something up, aye?"

His smile hadn't faltered; in fact, it was bigger than before in seeing Kro's attire. It was every bit interesting like Louis had mentioned. Reminded him of a few paintings of his father's family, namely his father's own father. Inwardly, Rufus snorted in thinking about such things. Outwardly, he was still grinning. Cheeky boy.

Kronos beamed - enthused to find in this busy pub the excellence of service that he had come to expect of the world.  It was getting harder these days to waltz around demanding the proper measure of respect that he deserved when he was more perceptible than ever in the eyes of the do-gooder.  The do-gooder who thought he had the right to lay down laws and capture so-called criminals with his ugly sense of moral vindication.  He'd say to hell with it and let's put on a proper show but, he wasn't blind to the effect of his recent adoption.  Raising an heir in Hogwarts when his other mentors wanted you dead and to root out the evil in the boy was, well, shall we say an inconvenience? 

His priority rested with the boy still, yet there would simply have to be some brazen exceptions to the rule - and tonight was one of them.  Not to mention that he would always, eternally forevermore, have trouble putting together an inconspicuous outfit.

Leisurely following the young man who kindly showed the way, Kronos amused himself by contemplating the fit of the other man's pants.  When they had reached the door which was their destination, and went inside, Kronos beamed again.  How marvelous that it'd been such a painless journey!  He'd bless his stars, only... he'd expected having such luck.  After all, he was Kronos Malvivicus!

But there he was, this Rufus Uriah Paganell Delacroix, in all his fleshy glory.  He looked three times as good as he had in his surveillance photos.  Kronos was feeling extraordinarily merry as he was offered his choice of drink and an order of food.  He waited to see that his escort had left them alone behind a closed door before he turned his full attention to his handsome host.

"Indeed!" he remarked.  "Rufus Delacroix, it is an honour to meet you."  He bowed slightly, then closed the distance between them, extending a soft, well-manicured hand in greeting.  His fingernails were painted orange.  "Kronos is the name," he said, checking for any sort of recognition but keeping a coy expression upon his face.  "I have to say the service here is just phenomenal!  I do think I'll have a drink, but no food thanks.  A bit of Elven crafted brandy, perhaps?  I hope you'll join me as I wet my lips."

Ru sized up the man, right down to the orange fingernails, when Kronos gave his name away. Hushed whispers of this man were heard perhaps once or twice, but at his pubs, Rufus instilled the notion that everyone was their own person until they made an arse out of themselves. Or if the Ministry came a-knockin'. Luckily, no run-in's had occurred so Rovers and Pigs' reputation were intact and in good standing. "Seems you know more about me than I know about you, Mr. Kronos. No harm in that, trust me," Rufus remarked as he put on the role of bartender briefly while grabbing two well crafted glass goblets along with Elven brandy.

Placing the three items on the table, Rufus offered a seat to the gentleman in one of the leather crafted sectional before taking a spot himself, which was followed by casting the muffling charm. "You mentioned business. What were having in mind, exactly? Distribution, trade? I have a few vineyards in Italy that work with me for the wines and two alehouses in Austria. Depending on what you're interested in, Mr. Kronos, I'm fairly certain I can try to work with you on the matter." With that, Rufus opened the brandy and poured equal amounts into each of the goblets while nerves racked him inwardly even as his lips and teeth gave their dynamic smile.

"A business man, I like that," said Kronos, stealing a seat as he straightened the cuffs on his jacket.  He matched the young man's grin, showing small and handsome teeth as he made himself to feel at home.  This was quite the satisfying outing, thus far.  He'd cut a path to this man, encountering no hiccups along the way, and now he'd introduced himself and still had the polite attention of his host.  All of which he'd have readily demanded if it hadn't already been the case.  The fact that he needn't make any adjustments to reality was a high blessing that he took note of.  It was good to keep the Old Man in a brightened mood, and it wasn't every day he took such chances by venturing out into the community.

"Wine, brandy, they're pure dead brilliant.  But how would you feel about hosting the distribution of more experimental beverages?" he asked.  "I like to stay on the cutting edge of trade, Mister Delacroix, it helps an old man protect his... assets."  He grinned even wider so that his eyes crinkled, and let a trickle of laughter out of its cage as he looked over his shoulder at the man pouring the drinks.  Somewhere down below at the pub, his Ward sat enjoying an ale and waiting should any sign of trouble occur.  It was a minor fall-back for now, and not really necessary.  Kronos's slender Padauk wand was at the ready and his wand hand was as quick and agile as it was 50 years ago.  Not that he expected any trouble from this very civil man, but it was always wise to be at the ready.  He wasn't about to let his defenses down for a pretty face, although... that face was devastatingly flawless.

"...Experimental beverages, sir? What kinds did you have in mind, precisely," Rufus responded, his eyes' expression quite interested by the development while listening to Kronos' laughter. It had a tonality to it that was one part that made you feel warm and cuddly. Then there was the other three parts of curiousity, caution and careful concern. He didn't feel too threatened by Kronos, but Rufus was at the ready as well.

One had to be in a business like this, right? Right. "I can't say I blame you in wanting to protect what businesses and partnerships you may have formed. I've had to go and watch who we do business with, here in Diagon and likewise in London. We cut someone within a few months of opening Rover's; there's bitterness, but they know if they tamper, we're going to court."

The flawless face crinkled in remembrance before returning back to its normal expression of a relaxed smile. "I would very much hope that we'd never get to that, aye?"

Kronos smiled the smile of a deviant pleased.

"Precisely," he echoed, as if giving it consideration.  "I've found the sky is the limit when a talented potions maker dabbles in tasty wines and champagnes that give more bang for your buck without the foul flavour, if you know what I mean.  It could be perfectly legitimate.  Or it could be more clandestine and shall we say more profitable.  Toxic, even.  But I assure you, Rufus... may I call you Rufus?"  He let his eyes twinkle with his illustrious charm. 

"I have a very good track record when it comes to not going to court.  Not a shining example of a Ministry's calling boy, but I've never allowed myself to be too careless.  I gave up corporal punishment when I buried my father, between you and me.  I'd say you're... safe in my hands."  Again he grinned.  "In fact, you and your business may be all the more safe with me... in your pocket?  This is fabulous brandy, by the way.  Shall we say a toast, Rufus?"