~Cynder's Fate~

Cynder gave a soft laugh.

"I suppose so. Either that or I've been so desperate for kindness myself that it flows earnestly from my heart. And anyway,"
The woman stopped at the cafe, holding the door open for Crouch,
"If I killed you, that would weigh on my mind forever. I'm not the type who likes guilt."

-I hold the door open for myself-

I can name at least 500 people who wouldn't sympathize with that and would gladly step on nails just to get the chance to wring my neck...

Cynder's eyebrows raised as she kept a firm hold on the door, her expression clearly saying you first.

"Well, if you want a selfish reason it's this- I would loose my job in this muggle play. It's all I've had since after the battle, and it's what I enjoy most in my life right now. If I killed you and the police found out, I would be fired. Happy..? Now go in, damn you. We can talk about this over a cup of coffee."

-Mutters something about having no self reliance anymore...-

-I go inside-

Cynder followed after Crouch inside the cafe, pulling out a wallet from her purse.

Her soft brown eyes scanned Crouch for a moment before she spoke.
"You really are stubborn? Still just like a mule. Honestly, what bugs you so much about someone being kind?"

The fact that no one is unless they want something in return...

-A waitress comes up- You'll give me black coffee, and if I see a single sugar cube, I'm burning this place down, with you in it...

Cynder held back a snort of laughter at Crouch, unable to hide the good-natured smile that spread across her lips.

"A Caramel Late for me, please. And if It's not caramel enough, I'll burn down this place with you in it!"
Cynder spoke with a mock imitation of Crouch, her voice lowering from it's normal high-ness to add to the hilarity of it.
The waitress smiled a bit and wrote down their orders, walking to the back to get it for them.

Turning to face Crouch, Cynder shrugged.
"Well, face it. I don't want anything. Now tell me a good reason why me being nice to you is such a big problem."

I've already told you... people AREN'T nice to me unless they want something from me, or we work together. You met neither of these conditions.

Cynder's eyes rolled to stare at the ceiling of the cafe, and a small sigh escaped her lips.

"All right then, I suppose. I'm glad you came here with me. It would have been lonely. So, on a lighter subject, how is Amy and your charming children, mm?"

Both good...

-Of course now Amy has to help me out and help Alexis grow up... not an easy job-

Cynder raised an eyebrow, silently surprised by Crouch's almost hesitant response.

At the return of the waitress, Cynder took her late happily and sipped.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" The woman asked.

"An apple pie for me, please."

"Of course, Miss Cynder." The waitress smiled and eyed Crouch.
"And you?"

-I take my coffee- You gone would be nice...

Cynder nodded to the waitress kindly.

"Thank you. I think that's it."

"I would say."

The woman both laughed together before Cynder turned her head back to Crouch.

"... What did you feel, after the Dark Lord fell, Crouch..? Pain... fear... surprise..?"

Well to be honest with you... I was in too much physical pain after my last battle that I was too busy listening to the screams of my tortured being and also by Alexis crying before getting the news

A troubled look passed over Cynder's expression, and the woman looked away from Crouch.

"I don't really know what I felt. I was so numb after...."

after she heard..
after the bloody body of the hook-nosed man was brought in.

An involuntary shudder raked Cynder's body, and she rose a shaking hand to her lips to sip the coffee.

I remember thinking... "Oh how the mighty have fallen... first me, then him"

Cynder closed her eyes for a moment, taking in a breath, keeping herself from spilling coffee over herself.

"I-indeed.." She spoke with a weak voice.

And then that memory came back... one he'd concealed so long ago...

SOOOOOOO tempted to bring Lir in..

Cynder turned her face to Crouch, slightly surprised he was telling her this.

"... oh..?"

(( feel free. c: ))

He woke me up from collapse... when I thought I was going to die. Turns out he caused that collapse when I refused to join him a first time... and wiped my memory so I'd be grateful to him...

A dark scowl crossed over Cynder's face, and the woman looked away.

"Only a pawn.." She murmured to herself, "just like I was..."
With a slight pause, the brown eyes turned to gaze again at Crouch's face.
"I suppose you have the answer for my question now, then?"

walks just in time to hear that and turns to see Crouch and Cyn. I had a slight bump at my abdomen and I stare at Crouch awkardly remembering the last meeting we had he had almost killed my son.

The chiming of the happy little bell at the cafe entrance turned Cynder's head.
Another familiar face that memory's age had dulled.

"Lir..~"

Hand goes to stomach as I smile at Cyn- Hey...