A Playground in London

'You've nothing to thank me for, just looking out for a friend.' she spoke quietly, trying to force the gentleness to leave her expression. 'You beat him up really bad, would you have actually killed him?'

"Hell if I know, I don't really plan in advance. I just go with whatever I want to."

She shook her head slightly, exasperated. 'I honestly have no idea what to do with you. There's spontaneous, and then there's reckless.'

"Well... anyway, I want to say somethin' I don't tell a lot of folks..."

"Thanks."

'i appreciate it.' she nodded, before the sarcastic smirk reformed on her face. 'Perhaps if you said it more often you'd be as popular as i am.'

I chuckle, truly finding humor in her comment, "Polish an asshole, it's still an asshole."

'i could say the same about you.' she was teasing, strangely at ease even though Joachim was coated in the man's blood. 'You're an ass, a cute ass, but still an ass.'

"Wow... that's the nicest thing I think you've said about me sober." I wink at her.

'Keep it up and you might hear nicer things, i usually only tell it how it is.' Amaya kept up her smirk, still watching him.

'Tell me Joachim, do you really want to change? to stop screwing over Ged, Topher? '

"Well... I never screwed Ged over, I just think I disappoint him. But..."

"Yeah I think so... I just don't know if I can or not."

'Then its settled: as long as you want to be different, i can help you.' She declared as she rose to her feet. 'No catches or costs.'

I watch her declaration and I can't help but feel an odd feeling in my chest. One I didn't exactly know what to call. It wasn't love or anything like that, but it was a happy, light feeling.

Hope.

'Makes you feel better, doesn't it?' she almost skipped over to him, pulling him to his feet and spinning him in a circle. 'You, Joachim Vollectia, are going to be aided by the brilliant Amaya Desouza in achieving your endeavours.'

Admittedly, it made her smile too.

"hey hey... easy now. I'm just gettin' into this change business."

"But... just for clarity, what exactly WOULD you help me with?"

'Whatever you wanted me to help you with, depends if you're comfortable. I guess id have to aid with what's right and wrong..?' she was stabbing in the dark.

"I don't know, most people get on my case for being, and I quote, 'A loveless, selfish, bastard.'

'we'll start with the selfish part then, the rest of it should develop as we go along or something. I dont think you're loveless anyway.' Amaya stepped back, scanning the park.

'Just remember that being selfish is being like how the snobs are, never giving a shit bout us.'

I sigh as I think about everyone who would just pass me on the streets, when all I had was the clothes on my back and a small hat to collect donations in. They would look at me like I was vermin, trash to just be kicked aside.

They even told their damn kids to avoid me. He might have diseases, he's probably unstable... take your pick, I heard all of them.

That's why I lived for only me. Because everyone does.

Except Maya.

"Yeah... I'll try...Maya."

'i guess i better try harder too, abandoning my family wasn't exactly generous of me.' Her smile turned into a frown, considering. 'Ill look after them..'

what else could she do? 'And ill try my best with you too Joa, i ain't perfect but ill give it a shot.'

"Well that's at least beter than most." I smile at her genuinely.

She almost beamed back, tucking one of Her brown ringlets behind her ears. 'You're better than most too, lots of people go through life abusing what they have and lose it all through their greed.'

Amaya shrugged, feeling slightly embarrassed. 'But hey, what do i know about anything..'

ooc calling it a night, pause?

"apparently a lot more than me it seems.."

OOC Sure, night!

'I'll take your word on that.' she chucked, still thinking. 'I should probably get back to the bar, what are you gonna do? come with me if ya really want.'

"Yeah I'll meet up with ya, I just remembered I left something back at the school. Don't think anyone'll miss me."

'If i was there i would've probably noticed you were gone..' it was the closest she got to admitting missing someone anyway. 'Star beater of the Quidditch team needs to be ready for his match tomorrow.' Amaya chuckled, stepping back.