Assignment 11 - Unsolved Mysteries - Task #4: UFO's: Write a Space!AU
Race to the top of mount Potter - Space!AU
right there in front of you
Lucius is the businessman that funds space-travel and Ted is the Astronaut who loves space-puns
Thanks to Angela for the idea! :D
"Thank you again, Mr Malfoy, for all of the additional funding," Kingsley says, striding across the room to where Lucius stands, his hand outstretched.
Lucius glances around. He's paid a lot of money to have his name on this project, and these are the offices they pick? Surely some of that money could have gone to hiring an interior decorator. His lip curls slightly, but he turns his attention back to Kingsley and holds out his hand.
Kingsley shakes it enthusiastically, clearly excited about the project. A camera flashes and pictures are taken of the meeting. They'll be on the internet in minutes, Lucius knows. But once the flashes stop, he pulls his hand away and rests it atop his cane once more. He knows he looks impeccable today. Like every day really, but there are cameras, so he has to look his utmost best. He's wearing a deep green blazer, and he notes in approval that Kingsley is wearing a pale-green shirt. His company are known for using various shades of green with a hint of silver, and those are going to be the colours used on this project.
"I will admit to having little knowledge of space travel, but tell me what is happening," Lucius says.
"Yes, you wanted a tour of the place, and as we said before, you're welcome to be fully involved in everything," Kingsley tells him. "Everything is ready for launch. It's just paperwork at this point. The launch is next week, and I've seen the advertisements on television about this."
Lucius nods his head. His company have been footing a very large bill because of this. He knows that other large names have wanted to get their foot in the door of something as prestigious as the 'space club' because how many companies are actually still involved in space travel?
Not many. Even less are involved in space travel that is happening this year.
Lucius has given a hefty donation to have his company name 'discreetly' used. It's not going to be like everyone else. It'll be a sleek silver word on green with his logo, and people will know the logo. The launch will be televised, because he's called in favours, and he'll have an interview - and another one with the astronauts when they return.
He's paid out a fortune for this, but he's going to make his money back tenfold at the very least.
"Well, as you know the UKSA - the United Kingdom Space Agency - have been looking at travel to Mars for years now. Whilst the world set their sights on the moon, we decided that another planet was the next step. Though Venus seemed an option at first, we discovered that heading closer to the sun wasn't something that would be possible because of our technology. We can only head away from it for now, until we've advanced."
Lucius nods. He's heard all of this before. But he follows Kingsley, pleased when so many people notice him as they pass. He likes to be noticed, and he knows people are aware who he is.
"This is the control room," Kingsley says, leading them into a large room with a lot of rows of computers, lots of chairs. "Let us know what you want in place for the launch and we'll have a desk for you over there." He gestures to the empty part of the room, right at the front with a good view of the screen. "Or if you prefer to be outside to watch the rocket itself, we have facilities on the roof with a nice viewing area."
Lucius nods again. He'll have to consider which he wants. Whilst he'd prefer inside, the photo opportunities of the roof do appeal to him. He has his company to consider, and he's got a lot of money to earn back and he has to stick to his plan to benefit the most from this endeavour.
He asks a few questions as they continue the tour, and finally they work their way back around to the first room.
"We don't have all of our astronauts in," Kingsley says. "But the team that'll be heading into space are, Sirius Black, James Potter, Frank Longbottom and Ted Tonks."
"Why are they not here?" Lucius asks. He doesn't care all that much to even meet them, but it's quite disrespectful for them not to attend this meeting. He's the one that's made this possible. The one that'll make them famous.
"Frank's wife has recently had a baby," Kingsley explains. "James Potter and his partner, Regulus Black are on holiday and coming back… tomorrow, and Sirius Black has recently married his partner, Remus Lupin. They'll all be travelling down the day after tomorrow, and the families will be here to watch the launch. We'll have a social event when the rocket has taken off and is clear, and you'll be able to meet the families of the astronauts. We'll have some news-crews and journalists too."
Lucius nods. He doesn't care to meet these people, but for the sake of good publicity and for his company, he can be… civilised.
"We do have the man in charge though, our number one guy," Kingsley says, as he reaches for the handle and opens the door. "Lucius Malfoy, this is Ted Tonks."
Lucius frowns. "Ted? Your report from last month mentioned an Edward Tonks?" He doesn't even look at the astronaut, because he wants to find out why he's been given the wrong name.
"Ted is a nickname," Kingsley says.
Lucius turns to the other man and for a moment, he's at a loss for words. Ted Tonks is tall - a little taller than Lucius, and handsome. His hazel eyes are fixed on Lucius and his short brown hair is a mess. He smiles widely and steps forward, hand outreached. Lucius shakes it and the camera flashes again several times, before they part.
"Mr Malfoy, it's an honour to meet you," Ted says excitedly. "Can I just say, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to go into space, and to work with you."
Lucius wants to remind this man that they aren't working together. They're not colleagues, in fact he's technically Ted's boss. But… but he doesn't say that. He can be colleagues if Ted prefers that idea. Maybe it's for the better, because being his boss could complicate… whatever this is.
"Ted is a ridiculous nickname," he says instead, frowning at the man.
"It is," Ted replies, the smile not slipping. "But I like it anyway."
"So… Edward," Lucius starts, ignoring Ted's comment completely, "you're the only astronaut here to meet with me. Are you prepared to go into space? Are you excited?"
"Very much," Ted tells him. "You could say that I'm… over the moon about it."
"And what brought you to accepting this job?" Lucius asks.
"I needed some... space," Ted tells him. "I know it's important, the work we're doing. I honestly understand the gravity of the situation, but I know that we'll work hard and have a blast."
Lucius slowly turns his head to Kingsley who is face-palming. "You wonder why you're still single?" Kingsley mutters, shaking his head.
But this just seems to spur Ted on, because he chuckles and doesn't look at all bothered by Kingsley's words. Lucius gets the impression that this all happens quite often.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy. Ted only speaks in space puns," Kingsley explains. "He's quite… obsessive over them."
Lucius looks back at Ted, whose grin has only widened as though he finds Kingsley's words very amusing.
"You're very much like space," Ted tells him, lowering his voice and leaning in closer.
"Am I?" Lucius asks. These puns should all irritate him, but he's finding this man… endearing. Attractive. Quite fascinating, because people don't usually talk to him like this. They're very much 'Sir' and 'Mr. Malfoy' and running around after him. He likes Ted's laidback nature, his smile. His eyes are quite nice too. "How?"
"You both take my breath away," Ted finishes, his grin widening even more. "I have another one, but Kingsley has forbidden me from using any of the 'Uranus' puns. That's where he draws the line. That and he's banned the words 'probe' and 'thrust'. He's no fun."
Lucius smirks. "Perhaps that's one you can tell me over dinner in an hour, Edward," he says smoothly. "When I'm finished here." He looks over Ted's maize-coloured jumper disapprovingly, but resists commenting because it seems very 'Ted' and Lucius quite likes how Ted is.
Ted nods his head. "I can be ready in an hour," he agrees. "I can't wait."
"And I have no such ban on those words," Lucius tells him. Ted's eyes widen and he looks intrigued
and this time, it's Lucius' turn to smile.
1465 words
Days of the Year - 15th October - Bosses Day: Write about someone at the top of their profession
2. (dialogue) "You wonder why you're still single?"
Sarcastic Month - 2. (dialogue) "You wonder why you're still single?"
Jewellery Month - 21. Camera: (object) Camera
Chemistry Week - 19. Potassium - K: (character) Kingsley Shacklebolt
Game and Puzzle Week - 11. Fluxx - Space AU
World Farm Animals Day - 4. Horse - (trait) Vain
Colours - 10: maize
Writing Club
Gotta Catch Them All - 9. Ninetales: (character) Lucius Malfoy
Written in the stars - 7. (word) obsessive
Showtime - 2. (phrase) number one
Film Festival - 16. (Item) Camera
Lizzy's Loft - 4. Anna Sun - We got no money but we got heart
Lyric Alley - 12. Spoiled rotten
Hobby Hole - 8. Character: Lucius Malfoy
Artist Appreciation - 11. Red: Prompt - Include a colour (or multiple colours) significantly in your story as a theme or a plot device.
Sandwich - Toppings - 6. Ranch- (relationship) coworkers