[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]

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.

2/2

[alwaysimpure]

[Alright, let's somehow break the tension here...]

I'd be a disappointment, trust me. I can't even...

[Vague hand movement.]

You know.

[Sacrificing his dignity on the altar of saving their friendship!]

[animator]

[She smiles thinly.]

You seem to have an awfully high opinion of me. I'm pretty sure you have this backwards. But we might have to agree to disagree for the time being.

[At that, she has to laugh, if even a little.]

Well. That's a dealbreaker.

[Liar.]

[alwaysimpure]

What can I say? It's really not easy to get it up when dementors are around.

[Let's just ignore the fact that he has been here for a while now.]

[animator]

Then maybe it's for the best I just move on. Wouldn't want both of us to spend all our time frustrated.

[She smiles again, making a valiant effort to keep her spirits up, but there's a touch of sadness to it, distinct disappointment. She's not used to being rejected, even kindly or for reasons like the ones Sirius offered. Not that she's amazing -- it's just that usually, the men interested in her are the ones she doesn't want to be. She's always been able to pick one she did like out of that lineup. It hadn't worked this time.]

Good of you to be upfront about it.

[Doesn't believe that for a second, smartass, but she appreciates you trying to be a stand-up gent about turning her down.]

[alwaysimpure]

[Sadly enough, it's true. He's not as bad as he used to be anymore, but still a long way from over Azkaban and its haunting memories. Not enough to relax for that. And, well, his dreams are far from pleasant these days.]

I try not to advertise it too much, but I figure you should know. Does make me less appealing.

Sorry, Anita.

[animator]

[Oh wow, cue HUGE guilt as it sinks in that he's totally serious about that. It shows on her face, too.]

You really--

[She shakes her head firmly.]

You're wrong about that. It doesn't. And you don't need to apologize to me. I shouldn't have said anything in the first place, really.

[She grimaces. Wow. Second time in one day she's really put her foot in her mouth. Goody.]

... I owe you another coffee.

[alwaysimpure]

Certainly makes me a lot less appealing to me.

[He just laughs and shakes his head.]

I'll get over it, probably. Don't worry. Just between that and the nightmares, you're better off in someone else's bed, love.

[animator]

[Nightmares. That's something she knows a lot about, too.

She offers him the tiniest smirk in reply. There's something she can play on to brighten the mood a bit more.]

Bed? Who said anything about bed? Is that the kind of girl you think I am?

[alwaysimpure]

No, it's the kind of bloke I think I would be around a girl like you.

[He will just latch on any chance to brighten the mood right now. And recover some dignity.]

[animator]

[She actually blushes a little at that, which is embarrassing in itself. She does not think of herself as the type to blush.]

Well, then that's one more reason it wouldn't work out.

[She smirks.]

There are some things I still hold sacred.

[And honestly, it would be difficult around him.]