→ o1. [video]

[aperfectthird]

[The feed opens quite abruptly on a young man looking into the device with a combination of consternation and confusion. A finger appears and taps on the screen, then the view promptly swings around to a pair of perfectly polished dress shoes. The view shakes for a moment before coming back to Percy's face, brow still furrowed.]

Oh, I think it's one of those communication devices - felly - no - telly - telephones? Is it on?

[He speaks loudly now.]

Hello?! Can anyone hear me?

[Beat. He looks worried, biting his lip, then squares his jaw, thinks for a moment, and continues. His tone is firm and authoritative, though those who know him well might be able to spot a very fine thread of fear running through it.]

If anyone can hear me, then I demand safe passage back to England immediately. I am employed by the British government and I guarantee that the Minister will not be pleased to find I have been taken.

I await your response.

Now how do I turn this off?

Comments

video;

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

No.

This is all some kind of prank, some horrible joke; it's not real.

[His composure is visibly cracking now, though he's clearly fighting it down, compressing it into a tiny ball and pushing it away, swallowing down the tears and fist clenching tighter.]

He's not back, and it's sick that someone is pretending otherwise.

video;

[boutant]

[ That denial is just making her angrier. Okay, so she didn't know he was dead. But that doesn't matter as much as the fact that he's here, here with his little sister and his twin brother and Harry and now one of his older brothers, an older brother who refuses to understand, who could end up hurting all of them with it. She isn't going to try and make Percy understand for himself, but she is going to try and make him understand for them. ]

This place doesn't make sense like you want it to, fine, I'm not going to argue that. But you are not going to hurt people I care about because you're too... too... obtuse to accept the fact that he's here, whether it's possible or not.

video;

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

[you aren't going to hurt people i care about

hurt people i care about

i care about

For a moment, Percy looks like he's been punched in the face, shocked and hurt and angry, because this is his family, he knows them better than anyone, he just buried Fred, and how dare she -

- and then the moment of vulnerability is gone, snapped back behind a cold, professional facade, lips pressing together and chin lifting slightly.]

I suppose I shall find out for myself, given time. Thank you for the guide, Miss Ariadne.

video;

[boutant]

[ There's a vicious, vindictive part of her that thinks good at the look on his face. Maybe he'll get it -- though to be honest, she doesn't hold out much hope. He seems to be as stubborn as she is, if not more (and isn't that a terrifying thought).

Later, when the anger and protectiveness have faded, she'll feel bad. Probably. Maybe. ]

You're welcome.

video;

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

[There's a moment, and then he does what he's been instructed and simply clicks the red button on the front of the device, ending the connection.]