Toss a Coin to Your Witch

August 1st, 1890 — At the back of a Decent Pub

This is for the Sonorus Stamp: Complete a dialogue-only thread.

"So here's the game: you take a knut and you try and flip it into the glass with your thumb. If it doesn't make it in, you have to take a drink and answer a prying question honestly. If it does make it in, you get to stay boring and sober and keep your secrets. Got it? Good. You go first, since you've not played before."

“If you say so. I probably don’t have your aim you realise? No, I’ll still try…oh for f- Fine! Prying question it is.”

"Oh, my aim's not that good. I've mostly played whilst ... lightly inebriated, which isn't exactly great practice. As for that question - what's the most embarrassing thing you've done recently? I promise not to laugh."

"You promise? I expect you say that to all the girls. And you're very trusting you know? All the people I work with wouldn't believe any answer given under duress which three gins definitely counts as."

"I'll have you know that I keep all my promises, especially to the girls. Three gins is a fun time, not duress! Besides, liquor is meant to make people more honest, not less. It's easy to trust under those circumstances. Now, what's your answer?"

“Fine… A few weeks ago I saw somebody that I used to know, somebody I liked a lot, and I waved but they ignored me and apparated away with their… friend. Oh don’t look at me like that, I’m not going into more detail. It’s your turn. Take your best shot. Show me how not that good the aim of a beater is.”

"See, I - I'm not laughing. Promise duly kept. This 'somebody' is operating at a terrible loss because they missed out on your delightful company. And you know, I do have questions about the friend, but I'll be polite and leave it alone. For now. Alright, alright, I'll go. A coin's not exactly a bludger so I don't expect I'll -- oh, well, that did go in, didn't it? Starter's luck. I'll drink anyway. To be fair."

“See! I knew you were going to be brilliant at this silly little game and now we both need new drinks. Oh don’t worry, I know how poverty struck sportswomen are, I’ll order…

You know, if you wanted to know my secrets you could just ask? I probably won’t tell you but at least it’ll be more straightforward. I’ve seen you in here enough times and I’d like to have one real friend in London.”

"Oh, how you wound me! My pockets contain more than lint and moths, but since you're buying I see no need to prove that. Hmph!

You wouldn't be trying to get out of our game, would you? Just asking is boring and it results in absolutely no drunkenness. And friends are best made over drinks. I've got the science down, trust me."

“I’ll take your word for it. I have a feeling you’ve conducting more research into the matter than I have. So here goes… Ah! I told you I’d be terrible at this. I don’t have the…erm…dexterity – yes that’s the one – of your fingers apparently.”

"Taking me at my word, eh? You may be the trusting one between us.

Ooooh, that is a shame. Maybe I do have an unfair advantage on account of my flexible fingers. Alright, no penalty this time. Shall I show you a trick I like to use? If you'd give me your hands ..."

"Alright, I suppose it can't hurt to have a little help. That's...erm...you're fingers are rougher than I thought they'd be...What were you going to show me then?"

"Mmm yes, being a beater is murder on the hands. I try to keep a delicate touch to make up for it. Yours are lovely, though ... by comparison, I mean.

Anyway, if you curl your pointer finger just like this and tuck your thumb just so, you should get a better flip. Try it. You won't get a drink penalty for practicing. I'll even offer a free question as incentive, if you make one in."

“A free question? That’s definitely tempting…and there! Your tutelage is exceptional. Now tell me – have you ever been in love?”

"Ah, I see you've chosen to use your newfound powers for evil. Well, in the spirit of honesty ... I have been in love. It wasn't nearly as spectacular as the romantics like to make it sound. Not an experience I'd be eager to repeat. Why are you curious about that?"

"I'm an Unspeakable. We're curious about everything. Though I think you're right - love is never what people think it will be. Oh Merlin, I'm getting maudlin again...don't suppose you know how to cheer a girl up?"