[text]

[animator]

Considering current events, I'd just like to make a quick PSA encouraging everyone to invest in some breath mints if they're going to be out and about. Because some people really need it. That's all.

Comments

[animator]

[It was more complicated than that. Had she loved Jean-Claude? Maybe. Not the way she'd felt about Richard, but there was more common ground there. He lived in the same dangerous world she did, whereas Richard had done everything within his power to remain as normal as possible. As good as possible. It had always made her feel like she was a bad influence, really.]

The time away from him is nice. I don't think he would ever follow through with his promise to bow-out gracefully if I'd had the opportunity to choose Richard before things went south. Sometimes I wonder if he would have just killed the both of us.

[Not to mention he was a bloodsucking creature of the night.

She catches the Dementor joke and has to crack a half-smile. At least he's got a good sense of humor about it.]

A secret option number three?

[Her smile hitches a bit wider, amused.]

I don't think it would be fair to paint that kind of target on someone's back. I would be too worried about Jean-Claude finding out and doing something mark what he wrongfully considers to be his 'territory.' Most people can't survive the anger of a master vampire.

[alwaysimpure]

...give me a minute here.

You are dating a master vampire, you take care of a werewolf pack, you raise the dead for a living...

No wonder there are books about you.

[animator]

[She raises a brow.]

And did I mention that Richard is a werewolf?

[She shakes her head in disbelief, taking a long sip of her coffee to set herself back at ease.]

I know. A lot of the time, it sounds unreal even to me. I have to admit, not too long ago, I woke up, looked in the mirror and just had to ask myself, "When did this become my life?"

As much as I don't like being left in the dark or being at the mercy of whoever's in charge here... I do like what New Moore has to offer. A clean slate.

[alwaysimpure]

A werewolf, hm? Well. There are worse things than dating a werewolf.

[He does nod, understanding what she is saying very well.]

A clean slate, yes. It also has much nicer amenities than Azkaban. Better view.

I don't want to go back.

[animator]

There are worse things, but I'm sure you can imagine how it made things complicated -- at least, with the way lycanthrope politics work where I'm from.

[Another cleansing sip of coffee. She misses what she had with Richard, it's true, but recent events just make her appreciate the space all the more. A clean slate might be exactly what she needed.]

Better view, better food, and better company, I imagine. I don't blame you. I'm starting to think I might not be so sure I want to go back, either... but in my case, it feels a little like giving up.

[She tilts her head, thinking back to the werewolf comment.

Oh. Right.]

Speaking of...

[Though she doesn't actually include which topic she's 'speaking of.']

Did you ever solve the Great Boyfriend Mystery?

[alwaysimpure]

I'd like it if you stayed here.

...what's to solve, it's Remus.

[And it's totally normal to wake up snuggling your Remus, duh.]

[animator]

[She smiles at his response, but gives him a dubious look when he mentions Remus' name.]

So what does that mean? You said it was confusing, right?

[Not accusatory, genuinely curious, really.

And maybe not for any kind of ulterior motive.

Maybe.]

[alwaysimpure]

Not the first time we've shared a bed, so that wasn't really all that confusing.

We just don't normally assume that we might be dating because of it.

[animator]

[She puts a hand up in defense, before lifting her coffee cup again. It covers her mouth, though she nods in reply, then raises a brow again as she takes another sip.]

So no boyfriend. Girlfriend?

[She cringed inwardly. Awkward. The problem with not making a regular habit of flirting was that whenever she caught herself actually doing it, it was always dreadful.]

[alwaysimpure]

There are slim pickings in prison.

Doesn't help that a lot of them are related to me.

[Ah, nothing like some Black humour.]

I did kiss a couple of girls recently.

[animator]

[She smirks in reply. Hard not to.]

Well, seeing as you're newly free, I can't say I blame you for playing the field.

[She almost said "That makes two of us," but she's really trying to shove that kiss with Kate out of her mind.]

[alwaysimpure]

It was a few too many people for me the first couple of days. After I was done thinking I'm a pirate, at least.

But, yeah, I probably shouldn't have kissed quite as many quite like that...

[animator]

[She gives him a knowing glance over the lid of her cup.]

You're not the only one who got around. I'm not normally so free with the kissing.

[alwaysimpure]

Mostly I just feel bad for sweeping Sheska off her feet.

[animator]

[She winces, somewhat dramatically.]

Poor girl got her hopes up?

[alwaysimpure]

I don't think she has, she's seriously lacking self-confidence. Romantic, though.

[animator]

You at least made the whole event worth her while, right?

[She smiles again, setting her coffee down, then almost immediately picking it back up just to have something to do with her hands.

What the hell was wrong with her? She was making herself look like an idiot.

Word vomit. It had always been a kind of personal problem.]

She's a nice girl. I'm sure she'll cherish the moment.

[alwaysimpure]

Suppose so. I'll just try not to lead her on.

[Ah, so many things that are easier to talk about than the whole remus situation.]

Did you find yourself a third option yet?

[animator]

[She eyes him for a moment. Back to her, are they? Another sip of coffee makes the hesitation less awkward.]

I'm not sure yet. Considering this place is a Jean-Claude-free zone, finding that 'secret third option' isn't as out of the question as it would be otherwise.

[alwaysimpure]

[She is an easier topic! She doesn't give him nightmares.]

There are a lot of nice blokes around.

Wait. You probably don't go for nice...

[animator]

[She smiles again, though it's a bit more reserved.]

I like nice, so long as they have a spine and can keep up with me. Back home, though, 'nice' doesn't exactly mix well with my lifestyle. It's dangerous, you know?

[alwaysimpure]

Dating didn't mix with my lifestyle before being locked up, either. I can relate.

[animator]

[She nods slowly, showing her understanding.]

Maybe keeping my eye out for that third option, then, should be part of my clean slate. My life is still plenty dangerous, seeing as I work with the police force, but... it's not what it was. Maybe I should take advantage of that.

[alwaysimpure]

So what are you looking for? Maybe I can set you up.

[This is off topic enough he can actually smile for real again. Possibly also because he remembers some other people he set up on dates. Sometimes without their knowledge. Or consent.]

[animator]

[She looks a little blindsided by that suggestion.]

Set me up? I'm not sure blind dating is for me.