[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

[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.

[alwaysimpure]

Then you just tell me who you're interested in and I'll find out if they're good enough.

[animator]

[Another eyebrow-raise.]

Or maybe I should just let nature take its course and see if he feels any chemistry, too.

[alwaysimpure]

Look at you, Anita. Either he feels it or he's really missing out.

[animator]

[Well. That speaks loudly enough.]

So if he hasn't said anything yet, time to look for another option.

[Shame.]

[alwaysimpure]

[Smooth, Padfoot. Really smooth.]

Well. Some blokes need time to warm up to the idea. Besides, he might not believe you're actually interested?

[animator]

[She takes a long swig of her coffee, giving him a curious look.]

Is that what you believe, then?

1/3

[alwaysimpure]

What?

2/3

[alwaysimpure]

Oh.

Ohhh.

3/3

[alwaysimpure]

That would be what I believe...

I'm not exactly a good catch.

[animator]

[Her mouth is hidden behind her coffee cup again for a moment, keeping her expression largely a mystery, though her eyes are serious as she looks at him over the lid.]

If we're being honest, neither am I.

[alwaysimpure]

[He'd kind of like to see her expression, so he tries sitting up to see over the rim.]

Pretty sure I'd win that contest.

[animator]

[She lowers the cup, setting it down for real this time, and her expression is one of some vague disappointment, somehow darker than she thought this conversation would warrant.]

You're not nearly as bad as you think you are. You never hurt anyone. Not intentionally.

[Not like she has.]

I've done a lot of things I'm not proud of. If anything, I'm not good enough for you.

[alwaysimpure]

Lack of intention doesn't bring people back to life.

[Now he kind of wants to know, but mostly he just wants her to not look like that.]

But you're a good person. That's what matters.

[...he's a hypocrite, I suppose.]

[animator]

Not as good as I'd like, though that's nice of you to say.

[She's killed so many people. Some in self-defense. Some to protect other people. ... two because she thought they deserved it. Maybe that one wasn't her fault, but she could have intervened. She could have done something. She didn't.

It gave her nightmares, once. Now the thought of Dominga Salvadore being zombie chow just helped her to sleep more soundly.

What the hell did that say about her?]

You're a good person, Sirius. You can't let other people's perception tell you otherwise. Do you really think you're not worth much?

[She sighs a little, shaking her head.]

I can't remember the last time I got along so easily with someone. I'm not the kind of girl who hits it off with people that often.

1/2

[alwaysimpure]

I just know that I'm a mess, really. And a girl like you, you're great! You'll find someone less...

Someone better for you. You deserve it.