~Cynder's Fate~

I wasn't looking to fight YOU, just ANYONE!! Just to affirm that I am still strong! To prove to myself that I am still worth something!

-Sigh- Years of my life, all I was good for was my strength and power... Now that's gone...

Cynder looked over at Crouch and frowned.

"People are pitying you because you pity yourself. No one sees you like you want to be seen right now, Crouch, because you think of yourself as disabled."
The woman paused and took in a breath, "You weren't just good for your fighting skills. A wall might have blocked your path, but there'll be a way through it. A door, so to speak. Perhaps you're good at art, or singing..."
The girl smiled slightly.
"I was good at duelling, and I lost everything like that. But look, I made it through fine. Stop pitying yourself."

Crouch: -I start wheeling out- I don't pity myself... I just want my strength back... For Amy and Alexis... -I leave-

Topher: -I walk in, my eyes clearly visible and walk over to Cynder- Hey!

Cynder watched Crouch leave, looking slightly upset.

Shaking her head, the woman saw Topher, and waved happily.
She noted his glasses were gone. And it was nice. He had handsome eyes.

"Hullo~" The woman chimed, pushing aside her troubled feeling about Crouch, "Topher! It has been a while! How are you?"

-I sit next to her- I'm good. It really has been some time. How have you been? I saw you had quite an full theatre tonight!

Cynder's face grew rosy, pushing back a few curls of brown hair from her thin face.

"It has been, hasn't it? And yes, a crowded theater is always a little gift."
The woman chuckled to herself, for a moment a spitting image of Leisel Strayer,
"And I'm very well, thank you. How about yourself? Surely you've stayed busy?"

-I laugh- Oh yeah, I'm the Head of the "Remind-Arty-He-Needs-A-Break" committee...

Cynder gave a laugh and grinned happily. It was nice to see all her friends in such good spirits.

"Well, thank you for finally getting him on some sort of break. It was good to see him again~"

Yeah, it's great workin' with 'im. I'm glad he overlooked my shady past and let me be an auror. I'll tell ya -I say jokingly- If you thought Death Eata's hate losing poker, trying an catch them while they're runnin'

Cynder chuckled and grinned with a softness of a very amused mother.

"I've known my fill of Death Eaters. They sure are the fighters, huh?"
Another kind grin, "I've seen just about everyone now. It's really nice to know so many survived the last battle."
The woman paused and looked away from Topher, scowling slightly,
"Can I tell you something I would prefer no one else in the Ministry to know- except maybe Artemis..?"

-I lean in, my joking expression has turned serious in a second- Sure, what's up?

"I saw Crouch a few minutes ago," The woman spoke softly, inhaling deeply,
"He's been reduced to a mere wheelchair. I wanted to tell you, but... to be honest, as a friend... I want him to stay hidden.."
The brown eyes lifted to stare at Topher almost sadly,
"For his family."

-My expression is one of surprise and awe- Damn... Mr. Badass-Smiley-Prick is a cripple now?

Cynder nodded slightly.

"Yes. I feel horrible. His frustration... all he wanted was people to see him as a fighter, not a cripple, even. I would have duelled him, but... I'm afraid the last battle drained me of my powers."
The woman paused and smiled slightly,
"It was rather funny to see him so weak, though. I would have given anything as a young girl to see him in that state. I would have punched him as hard as I could."

-I shrug- Maybe I would've liked the bastard better if he didn't break my glasses and get me ill and try to kill me...

"Oh! So that's what happened to your glasses!"

The woman smiled slightly.

"Well, Crouch never was good to anyone, was he. Definitely not me. I think I got on his pissy times often, as well. It's a shame to hear you had to deal with him so much, though..."

(( Arg. g2g. I'll prolly be on in the morning. Thanks again. Goodnight, and get some sleep. c: ))