A Birth day

"Ah. Okay," Robert said, not pushing it. "Alright, well, I'm going to get back. Michael's making fish and chips, and I refuse to miss it. I'll see you later." He took his bag and went back to the main house. He found Angus in his office. "So you know, I did ask what was making them so anxious, and Aria and Ruby both said they weren't anxious."

"Oh. My bad, then," Angus said automatically.

"No, now, I know you. What's bothering you?"

"They didn't bloody trust me. They wanted me to call you long before I did. Of course, they're not anxious now. They got what they wanted."

"They're not your enemies," Robert told him.

"No, I know, but when I told them the criteria you taught me as for when it was time to call you or any healer for that matter, that wasn't bloody good enough."

"Well, Aria doesn't have any kids yet. Ruby's had just Caprice to give her experience with a baby, and she's been amazingly healthy. So maybe you're going to have to cut them a little slack."

"I'll cut them as much slack as they're cutting me," Angus said.

"That's not what I had in mind."

"Clearly not," Angus replied, transfiguring his clothes to nice jeans and a winter sweater.

"You're going to try to go to the supplier. Angus, they're going to be closing shortly. How are you going to stay on your feet?"

"Its' the job," Angus replied.

"You are a stubborn cuss when you're pissed," Robert sighed. "Marcus isn't home. He went to get Anise and Ginger."

"Good. I can manage this on my own."

"Liar," Robert said. "If you're determined on doing this, I'll give you one more dose of energy potion, but you make it work, and don't try to push me again to three doses in one day."

"I don't need it," Angus said angrily. He flicked his wand and apparated out.

"Damnit," Robert cussed. "Hey, where's Jack?" Robert called. "Anybody seen him lately?"

"Sorry," Robert said. "We have a problem with our meat supplier. I'm not sure where it went off the rails at, but they aren't' going to deliver us any more fresh meat unless they actually can talk directly to Angus. Zoe and Nicky tried, and so did I. And, for whatever reason, things aren't lovely at the duplex. I was going to go get Angus some energy potion but he left on his own. Somehow Aria and Ruby really ruffled him, and now he's not in the mood to need anything from anybody. Angus doesn't normally ruffle but this time he's pretty shut down. I think he's gone to London to try to fix this with the supplier, but I don't think he's got the energy to keep himself on his feet there and back. This really isn't like him, but if I had to wager, I'd say someone over there hurt his feelings, and he isn't willing to even admit it, much less talk about it. I don't think he needs a bodyguard, not necessarily. Do you mind just tagging along in case he faceplants on a sidewalk somewhere? I can send one more dose of energy potion with you but I doubt he'll take it unless his body just entirely gives out on him."

"They've recently started working late one night a week so that they can make sure all their deliveries are completed, They'll be there for a little bit yet," Robert said, "but he is definitely catching them at the end of their day." Robert went to the kitchen and took a bottle of energy potion and prepared a one dose vial and gave it to Jack. "Here--if you have to. Diamond is running just a very slight hint of a temperature. You know how that can happen for almost no bloody reason at all, and certainly with a child with the health issues that she has. He was doing everything I have ever taught him to do, but something evidently didn't sit right with Aria and Ruby. The only thing he really said to me is that Aria and Ruby don't trust him, and I think that hurts. I mean, I would feel that way, I'm sure, if I felt Kate didn't trust me. I'm sure he can blow Aria off to some extent, but it undoubtedly is harder for him to take whatever Ruby said or did with a grain of salt. And you know how much any parents can squabble over disagreements in parenting decisions. Maybe it's all this is. I don't know. Anyway, just try to keep him out of trouble, would you? I'd appreciate it."

Angus made profuse apologies, but, as of yet, they hadn't explained what they had been so angry about. And then they told him. Someone had called, saying they were from the Quinn estate and they wanted to buy some low quality meat to feed to some wild dogs on the estate. They were hoping to get something that was just on the verge of going bad, and when the supplier had questioned it, saying Angus would never authorize such a thing, the person from the estate became extremely rude. The supplier told Angus that they didn't carry low quality goods. Then, when they started discussing dates, it made sense. This was where the meat had come from that had poisoned Fenrir's pack. It all fit.

Angus was discussing devising a code word that would let the supplier know the transaction was legitimate when the door opened. Angus was a little surprised to see Jack there.

"Come on in, Jack. This will interest you. Someone called, awhile back, saying they were from the estate, wanting a large quantity of poor quality meat. The dates coincide from when we got our 'guests.' And, they tried about three days ago to make the same request. Our supplier was wise enough not to deliver anything since. Clearly, we would never be interested in anything other than top quality meats. I think we need to devise a password that only a couple of us know that will validate if it really is us making the sale. Thoughts?" Angus asked, his mind clearly on work.

"I didn't ask him for any," Angus said, not surprised that Robert sent it. "He sent that on his own. He can stick it up his..." Angus quit talking, knowing this was not the time or place. "I'll take it only because you asked me, but I will settle it with him later, believe me." Angus took the potion, and he immediately felt better.

He negotiated a password with the supplier and then made sure to put in their regular order of meat, with some extra for the supplier's trouble and to make sure the pack was fed really well. They apologized to Angus for being angry and frustrated with them and promised good service from here on. They shook hands, and Angus motioned to Jack and walked out of the suppliers.

"I've done what I needed to do here for now. Thanks for your help, Jack," Angus said quietly. "I think they feel a lot better now, and it explains why he only would talk to me. But I'm glad that seems to be better. When we get that new shipment, we can take about double what we would normally take them. They should have the freezer space for it. If they have any sub quality left, can you make them throw it out, please? They don't need to eat that crap. For now, I think the only place I think I'm going is back to my office for a little--unless you have someplace else to go."