face of failure

Yeah. I'm Liam. I'm eighteen and a waste of a wizard. I don't care. About anything.

[michelleportier]

[Grins because she absolutely loves answering questions that make her sound like an intelligent little shit] When you tell, you share directly and might even come off as a little dull. I mean, after all, you’re just telling someone little things about yourself, and that’s no fun. But showing requires another person to deduce much more about you. If you play coy and don’t share too much about yourself, they still have things to learn.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[isn't an intelligent little shit, or deep, or intimate. but what he is--rather begrudgingly--is sentimental. and he can definitely attest to having a few rather fond memories of instances where he could just watch Dylan for a few quiet minutes and learn more about her than anything she could ever tell him in words.] So, you're not much of a thrill seeker.

[michelleportier]

So? I only show people who I am if I’m interested. In your case, I’m telling. [Smiles with false sweetness and straightens the little beret she’s wearing] Was that too much?

[liamfoster-crowne]

[shrugs, his shoulders loose, though the motion doesn't seem to disrupt the flow of his pencil.] What's the difference?

[michelleportier]

But yes, I am going on my own. [Shrugs] My girlfriends are all busy, I have an ex I’d rather not keep company, and I deem myself a successful, independent woman.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[scratches the tip of his pencil across the lined yellow paper, continuing to mumble in his default tone of disinterest, even though he isn't entirely.] You just told me way more about you than I asked to know.

[michelleportier]

Yeah, only the Queen of England.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[shakes his head, and returns his attention to the notepad resting on his thigh.] Whatever, then.

[margueritehazel]

-why she insists on making things awkward, she has no idea. perhaps it’s guilt; perhaps it’s an inability harness the concept of a non-antagonistic conversation, but for whatever reason, it seems to be her default. either be a bitch or turn out socially inept. biting her lip in uncertainty, she tucks a loose curl behind one ear, nodding a little- I’m alright, yeah… 

[liamfoster-crowne]

[reaches toward his back pocket, prepared to retrieve his handy pack of cigarettes. His hand stops abruptly halfway as Liam realises that smoking in her face probably won't contribute anything good to the already awkward conversation, and he tucks his fingertips into the pocket to seem casual.] Good... I haven't seen you in a while. [which is probably the equivalent to a normal person's "I've missed you."]

[michelleportier]

No, that’s where I’m headed. [Shrugs her shoulders casually] Why would you think I’d be changing my mind?

[liamfoster-crowne]

Are you meeting someone?

[margueritehazel]

-her lips press into a straight, contemplative line as she surveys his features carefully, taking in each strain of expression with a practiced eye before continuing in a subdued voice- How are you?

[liamfoster-crowne]

[has to suppress the urge to sigh dramatically. He was really hoping to skip the awkward semantics that he always seems to get with Marguerite. Why couldn't they pick up where they left off? Wasn't that in everybody's best interests?] I'm fine. How are you...?

[margueritehazel]

liamfoster-crowne liked your photo

… Liam.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[fails to show much surprise on his features.] Hey, Margo.

[michelleportier]

I was going to get a drink. I can throw a hex if need be. [Smirks a bit proudly, lifting her chin a little]

[liamfoster-crowne]

[doesn't seem very impressed, but rather skeptical upon acknowledging her very sober demeanor.] Did you change your mind? 

[michelleportier]

[Raises her eyebrows] Allow me to leave you on your own, then.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[mirrors her expression without realising he's doing so.] What are you doing out here this late if it's so dodgy?

[michelleportier]

It’s a women’s magazine, so you’d only be wasting my time. I write about women’s fashion, not what boys care about. [Waggles a finger at him] I was just checking to make sure everything was all right; things can get questionable around here at night.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[snorts in that classy way of his.] Yeah, I'm aware. I live here.

[michelleportier]

[Raises her eyebrows and laughs a little at that, an expression that makes her eyes and nose crinkle a bit] Oh, I should’ve been specific. I write for Witch Weekly, not the Prophet. I’m not the law or anything.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[notices the creases that form around the corners of her eyes, and his own narrow marginally. Liam isn't very up-to-speed as far as titles go. All he knows is that the wizards have a newspaper. Anything beyond that simple fact evades him.] Well, I'm not interested in either one anyway, so don't bother wasting your time on me.

[michelleportier]

[Chuckles and shakes her head, crossing her arms] Just a concerned journalist who’s been there and done that. Nothing more.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[sighs, because he remembers that he's supposed to be working on that whole anger management issue he has, and leans back against the wooden bench, the cold seeping through the thin cotton of his t-shirt.] Look, I don't needa be talkin' to any journalist. I don't wanna end up in some newspaper, or anything. 

[michelleportier]

[Raises her eyebrows; she’d mostly approached him because it seemed odd for a boy to be out this late and not be up to something] You’re not causing trouble, are you~?

[liamfoster-crowne]

[With an air of irritation, Liam slaps his pencil nope not one of those damn feather shits down and addresses the interruption directly.] What are you--a cop?

[michelleportier]

liamfoster-crowne liked your photo

[michelleportier]

Good evening.

[liamfoster-crowne]

[happens to be sitting criss-cross-applesauce on a bench in Hogsmeade, which is particularly empty at this time of night. Liam barely glances up from the notepad in his lap, and mumbles,] Uh.. hey. 

[ashstymestchildoflondon-deactiv]

[stymestash]