During a typical week, Liadan would have gone to Gringotts on a Thursday. Every single Thursday at roughly eleven in the morning she was in line to make her standard deposits and check on the family vaults. But she had received an owl from a young man in reference to a very particular potions ingredient. An ingredient which she had only ever sold to one other man- and she knew the basic details of its uses. As such, she had responded- asking for him to meet her at the Leaky Cauldron precisely at noon.

Naturally, Liadan did not carry ingredients around. Not ones like that. And her intention was to question the man and discover whether or not she found him... trustworthy... and if she did, then Liadan would invite him to her farm and provide him with fresh ingredients- she knew that would work best.

After her trip to Gringotts, Liadan made her way over to the Leaky Cauldron. She took a seat at a small table in the corner- making sure to use her wand to clean the entire area before sitting down. The skirt of her dress was tucked carefully around her, and she refused the offer for food or drink. But, to prevent any agitation on the restaurant's part, she did offer a tip anyway. And, after they were satisfied and had stopped casting curious gazes in her direction, Liadan muttered a quiet incantation to prevent other patrons from overhearing whatever conversation was sure to follow.

The Leaky Cauldron was a place Ventus normally avoided. He always found it far too shabby for his taste. It was, however, the natural place a contact would want to meet in public, so Ventus swallowed his pride. Unfortunately, the meeting was for exactly at noon, and Ventus was, once again, running late.

Ventus appeared across the street from the Muggle entrance to the pub, down a small alleyway. He gave a quick glance around and swore, seeing the door to the pub across the street. With two quick strides forwards, he disapparated, and popped back into reality a few steps at the door. As he stepped over the threshold, Ventus pulled his pocket watch out and checked the time. 12:05. Not terribly late.

His eyes took a moment to adjust in the dim lighting. Squinting Ventus looked around the pub, hoping to see his contact. He hoped she still looked the same as when they went to school together, but then again, Ventus was never very fond of her, and did his best to avoid her when he could. Though even her being two years behind him didn't seem to be enough.

As he turned to face the back corner of the pub, he noticed that in the far back sat a small woman. She wore a rather nice dress, for being in such a pub, and she sat like one would expect an elite to; back straight, chin up. Ventus rolled his eyes, she was pretty much how he remembered her.

He quickly walked over to the back table and sat down, not wishing to be any later than he already was. "Apologies," he began quietly. "Previous engagement ran long." He gave her a warm smile before continuing. "Now then, I understand you're the woman I should speak with about certain rare ingredients?"

Liadan watched as the man entered the pub, and quickly made his way to her table. He apologized- tone quiet, words respectful, followed by a smile. She returned it, and motioned for him to sit down. "I am the woman to talk to if you want no interference and little question as to why you should want procure rare ingredients. In reality any potions supply should be able to find it, but they would be more than a little curious about why. I find that when people ask me questions about my intentions it is unsettling and inconvenient."

"Fortunately for you, Mr. Shang, I already know the why part of this equation. I will speak candidly- I have already prepared the area with a very effective silencing charm, those around will not hear us. And I assure you I am more competent with my wand now than I ever was at Hogwarts." Which was saying quiet a bit. Liadan had been one of the best with a wand in her year. She was fully capable in all manner of subject, and since her personal interest in the dark arts had caused her to use extra practice upon graduating- she had gotten even better. Liadan supposed that only people who prove any sort of challenge to her in a duel would be those trained professionally or a particularly skilled auror- the latter would be easy to defeat, as they would not play dirty and she would. If she had to, of course.

"I am not a woman to trifle with and I am not a woman who plays games. My business has come back from a considerable downfall these last few weeks,[1] and I do not wish for any... nefarious activities to be linked back to myself or my livelihood." Liadan paused, studying the man, gauging his reaction. It was imperative that he understood the severity of the situation.

"There is no clear rule against the buying and selling of animal blood or parts, the only thing I refuse to sell anybody is unicorn blood- as we all know how cursed such a person would become. But there is speculation and suspicion against the selling of such ingredients which are known to be used primarily for types of magic which are not always legal, accepted, or understood. I know of only one other man who has ever requested Thestral blood in such a quantity- and he is a very dear friend of mine, who explained to me its various uses."

Liadan trailed off again, making a show of adjusting her dress, twisting the various knobs and buttons adorning it, and then slowly patting her head to check her hair. An unnecessary action by all means, but she was gathering her thoughts. Extending invitations to her farm was not something the woman did lightly. "If the blood is not fresh it will not be as potent. As you and I both know it is not exactly a wise idea to haul buckets of the stuff 'round Diagon Alley. Those bastards in scarlet robes are everywhere I go- and one particular man seems to have it out for me and I'd rather not give them another excuse to search my property."

"Tell me, Mr. Shang, for what reasons you intend to be using this ingredient,  are you ministry sanctioned, and are you smart enough not to give me away should be caught? I have no qualms as far as revenge are concerned, and am rather practiced in questionable arts myself."

1.

Potions Recall which happened before you joined. She had to mass recall all ingredients and has only just put her farm to right in the last few weeks and slowly starting to rebuild her creature count and faith from her clients. It led to tainted wolfsbane which were a big part in the Ides of March- a string of werewolf attacks.

Ventus could not suppress his laughter. "Ministry sanctioned?" He managed, eventually. "Hardly. Though If you're talking about dear Alberic as the personal friend, you should know that he's agreed to take me on as an apprentice." With a wicked smile, Ven leaned back into his seat, letting that bit of information sink in.

"Now of course," he began again. "I think we both know what I plan on using it for. But if you really insist I say it aloud..." his voice trailed of thinking of the proper word. "I use the blood, mixed with Nightshade, to draw the ritual circles in Necromanic, or is it Necronomic?" He paused in thought again before suddenly realizing he had stopped talking. "Well, regardless, I use the blood to draw the ritual circles to raise the dead." Ventus grinned and placed his hands behind his head.

"As to your last part, of course I'm smart enough not to reveal my sources. I was clever enough to track you down, wasn't I?" Ventus gave her a sharp look. He hadn't meant to say that last part, but he sometimes couldn't help himself when people questioned his intelligence. "Besides," he added quickly "If you're too afraid of getting caught I could easily just see my sources in China. Normally I would anyways, but as I'm performing the ritual more and more often[1], I figure it would be better to have a supplier closer to home."

He leaned forward and rapped his fingers on the table, unsure whether or not to bring up this last part. Thinking on it, he decided not to pursue it at the moment. The blood was harder to come by, and that was the reason she was here. Better to stick with it before he asked for other items.

"So, Lia," Ventus said coldly, "Did I give you sufficient answers, and are you willing to deal with me?"

1.	April 25th, 2009: Ventus for the first time successfully brought back a dead human, and has since performed the Resurrection ritual five times.

Liadan arched an eyebrow in his direction. He was going to give away, so easily, Alberic's name? She would be certain to let her friend know this. "I do not give away the names of my dear friends, Mr. Shang. I know multiple people who dabble in such questionable arts- from all over the world. If indeed Mr. Grimm has taken you on as an apprentice, it does speak well of your capabilities- but it would do you well to learn that trust must be earned. Name dropping to gain confidence from an associate is inappropriate, especially when divulging the name of a contact to someone you barely know- someone who could turn around and make you regret letting the name ever pass your lips."

"And you have already proven you are quite smart enough to reveal your sources. You have already done so to one throughout the course of this meeting, Mr. Shang. It is most disappointing." What if she had not been the woman he was looking for- or what if she had been tricked into spying by the ministry? Throwing Alberic's name around like that! And his first name to boot. How disrespectful!

And then he went on about how clever he was to track her down. It was Liadan's turn to laugh. "Mr. Shang, I hardly consider myself difficult to track down! It is not at all clever to seek out an ingredient from a woman who is known to own one of the most expansive creature farms in the wizarding world. Especially when one stops to take into consideration the reputation of the O Morain name and that you went to school during the time that my father was imprisoned for illegal practices. It is not clever, it is simply the most logical step to take to procure what you need. There is no need to flatter yourself, sir. Especially where flattery is not due."

Even with the harsh words and condescending tones, the meeting was not going poorly. He simply did not know how to dance the appropriate dance- but hopefully Alberic would teach him the right steps. Liadan was leaning toward giving him the benefit of the doubt when he leaned forward- and then had the audacity to address her by her first name. Not only by her first name- but by a shortened and familiar version.

Liadan's posture noticeably stiffened, and she held her chin higher. "I do not know who you think you are- Ventus Shang- but you have not earned the right to address me in such a way. I do not allow any of my business associates to address me in such a manner. There are associates and friends I have known for years I do not even allow to address me by my full first name. It is inappropriate and incredibly disrespectful. You should learn more about social cues. I did not address you by your first name- and you shall never use mine."

"I must admit I am most unwilling to deal with any person who is so openly and needlessly arrogant and socially incompetent. You have not earned the right to behave in such a manner- especially toward a woman like myself."

A broad smile crossed Ventus's face. It was almost worth losing the deal, just to watch the spoiled brat squirm. But he was here on business, so he decided to at least try and behave now. Still, another cold laugh managed to slip out. "Gracious you do have an over inflated sense of worth don't you!" He stated before catching himself. "Allow me to counter your points with my own before we continue."

He held up a finger. "First off, you yourself mentioned that only one other person went to you for such an ingredient. Naturally, since we are both well informed, we would know who it was." He gave her a wicked smile.

"Second, you are correct in thinking trust must be earned, but the same can be said for respect. And the simple fact is, I don't. I could care less about your blood purity, or your money, which, if memory serves, is what people like you often gauge your self worth by. You think I had ever heard of your farms before? The reality of the situation is that my current supplier mentioned you when he said he couldn't procure a shipment anytime soon. He was, in fact, the same person who told me of some of your other clients.

"Third, the only source I have revealed is that I know a man in China who, like I said, mentioned you."

Ventus was having too much fun to control himself now, and he continued. "Fourth, while social rules do generally dictate the way two people speak to each other, i fail to see the use of them when neither of us see the other as anything of real worth. Though since I see us having to deal with each other in the future, if not right now, I will confer to call you 'Miss', though you may call me anything you wish."

"Finally, I will behave in whatever manner I see fit." He slammed his palm onto the table. "I can assure you that my blood is of much higher status than yours! If those damned Communists hadn't taken over China, I would be sitting upon the throne![1]"

"Now then," he said calmly, as if nothing had happened. "I do hope you will reconsider. My offer is very generous after all. It's not as if you need to be on good terms with your clients. You just need them to pay well and keep their mouths shut."

1.	This wasn't necessarily true. The family Ventus is descended from was about the equivalent of a Baron in European society. However, as the Communists killed off most of the imperial family, he could be the last living heir.

"You hardly have the social decorum or professional capability to be criticizing me, sir. If anyone is a bit entitled with an over inflated sense of worth- it is you. I have worked hard to become what I am. It is uncommon for a woman to run such a successful business- especially in the world from which I come. I am an accomplished witch with skill you could not even begin to fathom. And I will not sit here and be belittled by some foolish man who thinks that just because he toys with necromancy that he is better than me."

Liadan stood up, and waved her wand to cancel the incantation. Discretion was not beneficial to her at the moment. "If you wish to find Thestral blood to raise the dead- you may look elsewhere. O Morain Farms does not condone such practices, and I will never do business with you."

"If you contact me again, sir, you will sorely regret it. Use your contacts in China. It is where you belong. I'll not have you tainting my name or my business by any further association. And you can tell your master that if he does not learn how to better train his pets, that I shall blacklist him just as quckly." With that, Liadan gathered her skirts around her and with a very loud popping sound apparated out of the Leaky Cauldron back to her estate.

Ven smiled to himself as he watched her wave her wand. No doubt to try and expose what he himself was up to. With a slight twitch of his wrist he quickly established his own silencing charms. Sure enough she belted about his practices. However, even He was not prepared for what she said next. And with another twitch he canceled them. Ensuring the entire bar heard her comment about where the Chinese belong.

With a smile to himself that he had caused enough trouble fore the day, he apparated back to Edinburgh.