“He’s certainly a lively addition to any social circle,” Frank replied wryly, his uncle’s antics were a frequent and fond memory of his childhood, some of the few from the years after his father had died. “Though I wouldn’t hinge your entire social status on his stamp of approval. He has notoriously high standards.”
A loud honk of laughter escaped him, caught somewhere between the absurdity of his Uncle Algie socialising with the likes of Elizabeth Dubois instead of the seedy locals at his favourite watering hole and then the imagery of Dawlish being of any concern to Alice. His Alice. Who would eat Dawlish alive if he ever got in her way. His grin was broad and soppy as he affirmed, “If Dawlish ever impugned my honour Alice would lay him out and I think I’d pay to see it.” Much like he would pay to see Dawlish laid low by a firm kick to the balls. The man was an impressive auror but undeniably a little creepy.
Frank’s smile persisted as his attention drifted, nodding absently along to the warning against wounding the merfolks pride, eyes still firmly affixed to the wicked looking trident where it was stuck firm into the dock. “I’ll take that under advisement lest I end up with one of these,” he acknowledged the trident with an absent tip of his head, “Somewhere unpleasant.”
And clearly things were going well, as much as Frank could tell at least, which was vastly preferable to an all out battle breaking out. He knew Elizabeth to be a capable witch but he had never fought beside her, unknown variables were always tricky when negotiating strategies. “I’m glad to see the Ministry isn’t relying on my, admittedly expert, skills with a carving knife to win their favour. I don’t know if I could bear to part with the Jack-O-Bolt now.”
It had never failed to intrigue Frank just how varied and interesting the paths that the magical world had to offer. Gobbledegook was not a language that Frank had ever considered being of especial interest, but he supposed the strained relationship between wizarding kind and their Goblin neighbours was reason enough for it to prove a valuable asset to the community. “It’s an interesting language,” he offered politely, because all languages were inherently interesting to Frank, even if he’d never had a lick of talent when it came to learning anything that didn’t have latin roots, “Very .. throaty.”
Elizabeth laughed a little at his description, “So say many people when they want to not offend me.” her voice more teasing than anything else. “But honestly it is and... When you speak another language it’s like, I’m not as much of an outsider to them, that they’ll speak with me, let in on the joke.” she told him, voice a little slower as she worked through the thought. “On I honestly don’t think any of these languages are meant for human tongues, I always have a supple of throat soothing potion in my office and at home cause it hurts like a bitch after some longer meetings.”
He groped his own throat absently, glancing over his shoulder towards the lake surface where the bubbles were suddenly rising a lot faster and took a step or two back down the dock. “It looks like we might just have an answer,” he offered brightly, watching as the lakes surface erupted in an impressive rush of water and the mermish delegates emerged from the lake.
“Coming from high London society I could do with a few lively additions to a social circle; or just anyone who’s willing to talk about something other than possibly cheating husbands or next months fashion.” she said with an eye roll, “Ahh shame. Well I can always try and worm my way into his affections, I’ve done it with a lot of other people.”
Elizabeth laughed in return, “Oh Merlin, I think I’d be there buying out the best seats for myself to that show. I saw Alice the other day in Diagon, we found a pop-up halloween store and many things were bought.” she told him happily. “Oh they rarely use the tridents to actually attack with,” she told him lightly, “It’s easier to use their claws and sharpened teeth to do real damage. More of then than not the tidents are for ceremonial purposes of a more artistic fencing kind of combat. Like, showing off their skill rather than a lust for battle.” she informed him easily.
“Well it’s a dark day when we’re dependant on the prowess of one Mr. Longbottom and his pumpkins.” she chuckled, “Although I’m also now jealous I don’t have a jack o’lantern in the shape of a goblin for my office.” she said forlornly, “It would make the place seem a little more festive. Level four at the ministry isn’t exactly full of the more energetic people.” she told him with a sigh.
Elizabeth turned back at Franks words in time to see the bubbling water and the delegates burst forth, the largest of the group gripping his trident and effortlessly pulling it from the wood. She bowed to him once more, gesturing behind her for Frank to do the same and rose up to hear, ‘We will forgive the transgression if your kind offer a tribute of culture to our lake.’ She nodded, withdrew her wand and with an ‘Of course.’ she conjured the armour the ministry had given her and it landed on the dock. Several of the merfolk swum closer and looked over the piece with obvious interest. The largest nodded after a moment, ‘Acceptable. But what of the others who have been here and harmed our waters?’
The question brought her up short and she politely frowned, “I beg you pardon Clan leader but, I have no knowledge of any such others? May I ask who these people are?” The leader looked at her for a moment before gesturing at one of the smaller merfolk who sum forwards and placed a mask in her hands that sent shiver of fear down her spine.
“I-I,” she stumbled a moment and swallowed, “Clan leader, these are dangerous people, they’re bringing chaos and attempted supremacy to the land, if you see them I beg you do not engage them. They will attack and kill.” she put a hand on the Clans man’s own and he looked at her in surprise for a moment, staring back before nodding slowly, ‘You fight them?’ he asked, “I do.” she whispered, “For all of our sakes.” Elizabeth looked back to Frank and with worry plain on her face, showed him the mask.
