ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Fred and George

[alt_pansy]

I got the samples. The trainers are really brill. I think you ought to tell the Order about them. And the rest of the ISS, too. For the version we plan on selling, you ought to make them in complimentary colours to the edible laces line so people will want to buy both. And maybe it'd be a good idea to make the ones we sell a bit less powerful. Like... they wear off after five minutes. Or you can only get eight feet up before they start to lose suction. Or they have a weight requirement, so only kids can use them.

The one thing I thought of was if someone in the Order was caught wearing the more powerful version, it could be trouble if it's traced back to us. Unless we make it seem like the more powerful versions are just modified from the original shoe, and that someone with a good understanding of charms and runes could've done it on their own. If that makes sense. Like we could paint over the colourful trainers or something, and make the modifications look like someone else did it. Or am I over thinking it?

The edible laces are definitely looking good -- I'd work a bit more on the flavours, though. The berry one was a bit off-tasting. In terms of names for the Laces line, I was thinking something like Lickety Split Laces and Not a Trace Laces. Does that sound like it'd work?

I'm working through disclaimers for the love potion chocs, just to make sure everything's included. Did you ever get round to making an antidote? And you've really got to fire test the Sparking Super Balls to make sure they won't set things on fire if they land in a stack of papers or something.

Weren't you working on the superball things for the Order too? Making them magic seeking or something? I remember that in one of the planning meetings, but it was months ago.
 

Oh, and I've got quotes from both Demeter and Hermes, and they're both very reasonable. I'm still waiting on their packaging to come in, and I'll let you know once they come through. I'm expecting them by the end of the week.

I think the trainers really are brilliant, by the way. I think Mrs Longbottom should know about them, if she doesn't already.

Comments

[alt_gredforge]

See, we knew we were right to bring you in on this. Some excellent suggestions here.

Right, we like the idea of using complimentary colours on the edible laces and trainers. And no, you're not overthinking: obviously, we don't want any Order use of our products to lead to trouble. Maybe we could use Chameleon Cloth for the Order trainers. After all, if you're using them to sneak up a wall, blending in a little could be helpful, too.

Also sensible to have the products sold to the public be a lower-power prototype. You can't run quite so fast with the public Lickety Split Laces, and the featherlight charm isn't quite as strong on the Not a Trace Laces. (Great names, by the way). Putting a weight limitation on the trainers for the public would also be smart for liability reasons, too. It wouldn't do to have some less-than-pint-sized kid fall off a wall because he's been stuffing in too many chocolate frogs lately. We can charm 'em so that a kid that's too heavy literally can't walk in 'em.

Oh, the sparks on the Sparking Superballs are just an magical illusion. No actual fire involved. And yeah, you remembered correctly. The Order application on those little gizmos is quite brilliant, if we do say so ourselves. If you carve a certain rune on them, then they are magic-seeking missiles. Uh, don't know if you know the word 'missile,' it's a Muggle term that Fu taught us. It's an object that forcibly flies at a target. Anyway, once the rune's carved in, if you give it a hard bounce on the floor, it'll fly from there right to the wand tip of the nearest wand you're not holding. Engulfs the tip, and delays any spell your opponent may fire at you for five seconds. Which could save your life if it's a really dark curse they're flinging at you--gives you time to dodge. And if the room's dark, the sparks will show you where the wand tip of your enemy IS, which could be crucial information in a firefight.

Of course, you have to be careful that when you bounce it, the nearest wand isn't being held by one of your allies.

Glad both Demeter and Hermes are willing to give us a bid. We'll be eager to hear your report of which packaging sample you like best.

[alt_gredforge]

Oh, and antidotes for the love potion chocs. Yeah, we're working on those. We can bear swoony looks for only so long.

[alt_pansy]

Duly noted.

[alt_gredforge]

Oh, we meant the general public, you understand.

Swoony looks from personal acquaintances (or to personal acquaintances) are in another class entirely.

[alt_pansy]

Also duly noted.

I tend to prefer mutual admiration over out and out swooning, myself. The latter tends to lead to rather awful poetry. Just as a word to the wise.

[alt_gredforge]

Pans:

We need to let you know that Percy stopped at the Burrow this morning absolutely fuming at the two of us. Lucius Malfoy tore a piece out of him yesterday because he was taken by surprise at a Magical Commerce meeting where our business licence application was discussed.

Your name's listed on the parchmentwork as a backer. Percy was told by Malfoy to convey the message that we're in big, big trouble for telling a lie like that on our application.

You need to be prepared: we expect that there may be an even bigger fuss when they discover that it's actually true.

Don't want you to be in an ugly spot for backing us, so tell us: is there anything we can do to help? We're willing to talk with Malfoy or Baddock if you think it's best.

Sorry.

F & G

[alt_pansy]

Oh.

I'll talk to them both.

I'll let you know what he says. And I'll try my best to smooth things over. You have nothing to be sorry about. This is my fault.

It wouldn't be good for you to talk to him until I've got a chance to first.

Just get together all the materials you can. All the letters, all the budget proposals, the expense books, everything you can think of to show a record of what we've done together because they will be gone over. The lease for the building too. And the patent applications. Make copies of everything. And make sure you've accounted for every knut of the investment capitol on the books, or shown what it's budgeted for.

Make sure they're the clean copies. Make TRIPLY sure. Make sure you've got the version of the budget in my handwriting, along with the letter I sent with it, and check to see whether you've put my name on the notes from our planning meetings over hols and the end of last term.

I'll clean up what I wrote yesterday about the trainers and the laces and send it off by owl today so that you can have a record.

If I've

I hope everything turns out.

[alt_pansy]

I invested in this for a reason. And it's not just because you're friends. It's because you're utterly brilliant, and I believe in what you're trying to do, and I think what you're doing could make a real difference and I wanted to help.

And yeah, all he'll see is the rubber chicken wands and the edible laces, but I know what you're really all about, and it's so much more. And it was worth it.

[alt_pansy]

And while we're at it, you might as well send an owl express that says just what you wrote up here.

I'll write him just as soon as I've got it.

[alt_gredforge]

Right-o. Errol'll be on his way with it in a minute.

[alt_gredforge]

And we'll get the documents together. To make doubly sure, we'll have Mum check 'em over, too. Nothing slips by her.

[alt_pansy]

I've offered to have him look at our materials, so be prepared. And. He's angry. Just don't give him reason to be angry with you.

He's suggested that I pull out as partner and you repay me by a certain date. I've told him that I won't change my mind about it, but if that's what he's put on the table, I think there might be some negotiating possible. It means he's not looking to break it up and sell it piece by piece. At least that's what I think it means. And he's not talking about suing any more.

I may vomit.

[alt_pansy]

How much testing have you done on the superball things yet? To see if they'd work in a proper duel? I'd bet Mr Longbottom and Sirius could take them out for a go.

Can Muggles use them?