Landis arrived to Calveras 10 minutes early to his luncheon appointment, found a table, and spelled it silent and safe with a tap of his wand. His companion was one he was looking forward to seeing again, but as was often the case with his associates, one whose conversation was best kept under a muffling charm or two.

Ira Almasy was a spare, efficient woman, bone-dry and comfortless. She had an intellect and a presence like that of an unsheathed blade, and Landis liked her immensely. Given his commitments to his various organizations - work did seem to pile up nowadays - he had had little use for her professional services in the past year, and nor had she of his. However, their connection was one he considered prudent to maintain.

Ira Almasy made it a rule never to meet her associates at the same venue, consecutively. Acting twice is habit and habit is foreseeable. Weakness. It was therefore rather fortunate that she had not been to Calaveras in recent months- at least not in public form.

As expected the wizard had already secured a table by the time she walked through the doors.

"Privyet," Ira greeted as she approached, heels clicking as some pointed forewarning of arrival. "You are well." Morgan never appeared chipper, by rule of general measure, in which case it was accurate that he invariably looked well.

The tall witch paused to ascertain this, sensing the subtle ambience of his silence charms before lowering herself on to the seat opposite. Patrons were few at this hour but she could appreciate the caution, certainly. Even so their language would be all circumlocution and euphemism this afternoon.

"I did not keep you waiting?" Ira rested back, crossing her legs- she smiled unfeelingly but with familiarity.

"You are well."

It was not a question. Landis inclined his head. "Good evening. As are you, I see." If she wasn't, he certainly didn't expect to know about it.

"Hardly," he answered, taking a certain relish in his usual crisp formality. Nevertheless there was little ice in his manner today, and his face as he turned towards her was politely attentive, even pleasant. A slight gesture had the waiter placing menus before them both, which he did not glance over until he had taken his measure of the woman across from him again. "How is business?"

No mean measure of time had trickled by since her last visit to this establishment but, Ira noted dryly, their menu had hardly evolved. Even as she did this she could feel her companion's efficient stare. Her gaze rose to meet his intelligently, perhaps humourously, considering the question.

"Business is slow," Ira tilted her head subtly. "Winter is a not a favourable season for the arts. Our... outdoor exhibits must suffer at its hands." They were fortunate in that there was a blue moon in the month of December, lest she would not have had the time to secure a location for the following staging of Lycan conflict.

Morgan of course knew about these activities- there were few in the criminal underworld who had not at least caught word. This particular feature of the games would some day be cause for worry, she knew, but not now. Not yet.

"I have been forced to put my own exhibits into motion." The witch glanced away to signal for a server before looking back to Landis. "Might I inquire into the state of your affairs?"

"Such a pity," Landis commented, picking up his menu. "I've never minded the cold overmuch, and the last one was so stirring." Unlike his companion he was content with Calveras' offerings. It would be an insult to the elves to call what Hogwarts served institutional food, but it was true that theirs was frequently heavy fare better suited to adolescent tastes. If Landis never saw nor smelt another glass of pumpkin juice, never mind drank it, it would be too soon.

Unfortunately, there was sure to be a full pitcher waiting at tomorrow's breakfast. For now he comforted himself with the Calveras wine and beer list.

"Still, I can't say I'm terribly sorry if this is what it leads to," he said, glancing up. "I hope to catch one on display. My own affairs are heavy with multiple engagements and little time for leisure, but - " he gave a bare shrug, an even smaller and less substantial smile - "I have long found work to be its own reward." His occupations were a far cry from where he had started out, more satisfying and better-paid as was the proper progression within the fullness of time. In fact, drawing three separate and steady checks, he was very well paid. That didn't even count what he made for independent jobs, though given his responsibilities nowadays he rarely had time or the interest in those. The inherent truth in that would be obvious to Almasy, who could judge his success partially in how long it had been since they'd met.

Ira set down her menu, head tilted slightly as she regarded the wizard.

"Certainly some time for leisure? I had two rather enticing exhibitions for you to attend, although only one is my own." Her lips closed into a frigid smile and she refrained from further as a server slunk into the periphery of sight. Waiters. One would think they knew about timing.

Better, she supposed, to get it out of the way. "Sparkling water," the witch closed the menu and handed it towards the man. "And the steak. Rare." Ira's eyes glazed over, looking away as Landis took his order.

A spindly hand glided into the inner compartment of her coat, drawing out a single envelope embellished in blue filigree. It was identical to the sleeves that fortunate witches and wizards across the country would be gladly receiving in the coming week. Morgan's contained more than an invitation to the Opera, of course.

"Your invitations." The envelope was slid across the table. "Owl post can be rather... unfeeling nowadays. "

"Of course," Landis said, his low and nearly toneless voice rendering a remark which in another man might seem charming or flirtatious as flat, given, simply matter-of-course. "I can always find time for your recommended affairs."

They both lapsed into silence as the waiter appeared. "The veal," Landis said shortly, handing his own menu over. He considered. "And wine."

"Your invitations. Owl post can be rather... unfeeling nowadays. "

His expression did not change, but for a moment he rather wanted to raise a brow. However mutually beneficial - even amicable - their working relationship might be, Landis had never found fault with the dry distance of that which was unfeeling.

He had chosen their table as one both next to a wall and near to a pillar, and during lunch there were few patrons here. Still he did not open the envelope but tucked it away in his blazer, showing his usual caution to which Ira was unlikely to object. "Enticing," he repeated. "Well, don't leave me in suspense." The envelope was too pretty to be meant for private consumption, even if in Landis' hands private consumption was what it was destined for. It did in fact look like a legitimate invitation. But if there was any additional information Ira might give him, even coded, he would take it.

Morgan's expression was not one of a man waiting in suspense but certainly, she would oblige him.

"My own exhibition must be a surprise, I'm afraid." Ira's hand rested across the linen and her fingers drummed against the table- a beat that punctuated their exchange. "Although I would not advise bringing a date. Not everyone is fond of the Opera, you understand, and the invitations have been most cryptic."

Their beverages arrived promptly. The witch snaked her grip around the crystal but did not move to drink, choosing instead to focus her attentions on the wizard. They spoke indirectly and it was wiser if nothing were to be lost in translation. Server gone, she resumed.

"The other... the other concerns a gentleman. He is a tradesman but an artist at heart. It would be most beneficial for you to-" Ira's smile pulled coldly now. "- to assist him in these matters. Not a very knowledgeable being. You will not find him trying." This time she partook in her water.

The smuggling of illegal goods - while profitable - had the disadvantage of providing witnesses. And she could not provide an alternative face to all involved in spite of abilities. Landis was useful in the sense that there was a form of trust between them, nurtured by a short history of mutual crimes.