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[hollowchild]

Ah, hello. You've reached Sophie, but I must be in the midst of something. If you have a question about self-defense or Teachers' Council, leave a message letting me know what precisely you're interested in and I'll get back to you.

...everyone else, do as you do, I suppose.

Comments

[hollowchild]

Exactly.

[she shakes her head a little. give her a second to try again with less metaphor. this is more difficult now that she's not just talking about him]

You're in love with her. So you've already given her your heart, proverbially. You can be honest with her about that or not, but she'll still have it, and you can say that you're not factoring that in, but it's still a fact. Which is why it's terrifying.

[wasthemaster]

Partially. [He can't even argue that.] It's also mostly terrifying because it's a grand reminder of things that I have to do and the consequences they can have. [A throwback to sixth year, if you will.] I know I have to do it or certain things will happen. Bad things. But if I do, who's to say bad things won't happen anyway? I'm an expert at running away.

[hollowchild]

They might, but they also might not. And that's better odds than definitely will. Anything is better than definitely will.

[there, again, with the heartpunching]

Me too. But for things to change, you have to turn around and face it. You already know that, or you'd still be just as you were.

[wasthemaster]

Again, must you be so logical? This isn't supposed to actually make sense.

I'm aware. But maybe I'm not ready to change that. Change, as I've found, leads to dangerous things. ...but perhaps I can see where she falls with this.

[hollowchild]

It's still a terrible character flaw.

If you weren't ready, then you wouldn't be struggling with it, you'd have dismissed it already.

[wasthemaster]

To be honest, every time I think about having this discussion with her it just makes me sick. I wouldn't call that ready.

[hollowchild]

Some things just can't be approached with confidence. Not when they really matter.

You didn't say I was wrong.

[wasthemaster]

About what? [Because feigning ignorance has worked so well for you so far, Draco.]

[hollowchild]

Do you really want me to answer that when you know very well, Draco?

[wasthemaster]

Humor me.

[hollowchild]

You haven't said I'm wrong about most of what I said. But specifically I meant about your readiness.

[wasthemaster]

...if I do this and this blows up in my face, I'm coming straight back here to blame you.

[hollowchild]

Around this time of day you should try my apartment or Sam's shop instead.

If this blows up in your face, I expect to hear about it immediately.

[she's serious]

[wasthemaster]

Probably Sam's then. I'll have a few things to discuss with her later anyhow.

...you'll probably be the first to know in any case. And so long as I can gloat that I was right I'll be happy to share.

[hollowchild]

Ah, yes, I suppose you do. She was pretty pleased with the eggs.

Not probably, Draco, all right? Gloating or not.

[wasthemaster]

I have a few propositions for her once I iron out the details a bit further. As you can imagine I've been a bit distracted.

...fine. Not probably. Definitely. I suppose you deserve to know considering how long we've been here talking about this.

[hollowchild]

Just a bit, yes. I'm sure she'll welcome them, she likes projects nearly as much as you do.

Mm, exactly. Quite entitled. [or at least she's content with that fiction]

[wasthemaster]

Suppose that's why we get on. And what about you? Are you more into projects or just keeping her on track? [Because that's a good avenue to change the subject to.]

[hollowchild]

I don't know enough to be truly helpful in much besides keeping up the shop and letting her spend most of her time in the back instead of at the counter. Considering asking her to learn, though.

[wasthemaster]

That's what Euri does with me, though I've been teaching her a bit more recently. She catches on fast. I'm fairly certain you would, too.

[hollowchild]

You work well with her, then. It would be an interesting thing to learn. Maybe I'll ask.

[wasthemaster]

I would if I were you. It couldn't hurt. [And he'll stop talking, just nudging his head to her hand. Come on. Pet me.]

[hollowchild]

It couldn't, could it?

[that makes her laugh a little, and she shifts her legs so that she's less human pretzel and more lap-pillow]

Put your head up here and I'll do you one better.

[wasthemaster]

It's just like having Pansy back. [And moving. That's happening and thank you lap-pillow.]

[hollowchild]

She is probably less bony.

[but luckily for draco sophie's muscular enough that her thigh makes a fair pillow. after all of this, she's finally letting go of his hand, but that's because one needs both hands for a proper head and neckrub. somebody noticed draco's headache]