rita

Ludo stared at her for a second after she finished, caught somewhere between irritation and reluctant amusement. Most people eventually bent around him one way or another, but Rita only seemed to get sharper the longer she looked at him. It should’ve made him lose interest. Instead, it kept pulling him in against his better judgment.

rita's mouth fell open, taking more offense with her. she had never met someone who claimed they were an adult man talk to her like this. rita didn't know if he was bold or just plain stupid. she thought the latter made more sense given that this was her second encounter with him that left her feeling annoyed to her core. she didn't like the heat wave than ran through her as he looked her over and she prickled with more irritation that he continued to talk down to her as if she was nothing. her tongue clicked at his comment, her brows denting together. he expected her to fold, to turn around and cry. clearly, he hadn't been paying attention. each word he said just bruised him for another mistake later.

Anya laughed, bright and loud in the coffee shop. "Of course, only the best," she agreed with a grin. It was nice to feel like a whole person again, not just a shade haunting the manor. "Some color would be nice. I'm so tired of... all of this." She pulled a face and gestured at her black robes. "Everything's been black and gray for so long." Her clothes, her mood. Everything had been so dour since Thoros had died.

"yeah, i can't imagine..." she frowned, but not for too long. she didn't want to create lines in her forehead or by her lips. wrinkles were never the best accessory and she didn't know enough beauty charms yet to fix those. "i actually don't believe in the standards for being a widow. after a few days, i think you should be able to wear color. one can only wear mourner's clothes for so long when they should get a chance to be happy too." she said it like it was a fact, nodding her head like she was giving great advice. "lady of the house," rita winked and sat back in her seat. "i like the sound of that. it does all belong to you now, that must feel good at least. some silver lining."

Sabrina believed information was too valuable to share it freely and without consideration, a tool she'd found could get one very far if used carefully or at the proper time. Today simply didn't seem to be the best opportunity to gain something from putting it to use, so instead the brunette schooled her features into a pleased grin and soft expression. "I'm sure the robes are wonderful, you don't go amiss with these kind of things ever," the witch offered as she reached into her purse, taking out her pocket notebook. She hummed on the low as she flipped the pages. "Oh lucky for you, we're having a nice little event next week. Should I add you to the guest list? Perhaps you can sweet talk some people and get some valuable gossip from them too?"

"well, there's about the best news i've heard all day. yes, put me on the list. i'm surprised the prophet wasn't already told, but no worries. i can look past that little mistake." rita straightened and raised her head just a little higher. "you know, i might be planning a party myself. you see, anya fawley is out in society again. her husband just died, isn't that sad? like i can't imagine loving someone and then they're just gone one day. she's close to wearing colors again so this might be the perfect opportunity for her. all that to say-put me down with a plus one as well. and i'll be sure to make the party a great piece the next day if you have flowing champagne."

Rita's comment made him huff out a chuckle. She didn't seem the type to ever go down that shifty alley.

"the list is quite long and an honor to be on," she smirked. there wasn't a list except a long rolodex in her mind where she kept tabs on everyone. sometimes she considered getting an assistant to help offset her thoughts or even a more selfish way to remember details. "you're quite the interesting one, you know. you're definitely on the list now." rita blew out a puff a smoke and reached into her purse to draw out her business card. "and if our paths cross again, you can use that address to owl me if you have any information. or you can tell me over drinks."

James pulled his hand as he felt the pat, that was not something someone that didn't know you. "Do you usually invade other people's personal spaces, or I'm just a lucky one?" he said sacarstically.

"What about yourself makes you think that you're lucky?" Rita asked, not thinking the man looked interesting in the slightest. "and yes, i invade people's spaces all of the time. get paid for it actually, one of the best." she leaned her forearms forward on the bar counter. "so, who's playing? sports is actually a weakness of mine. like i'm terrible at remembering who's on which team, the colors, the points."

Anya laughed at Rita's suggestion, feeling better than she had in months. She could absolutely picture what Rita was proposing, and it sounded like fun. She hadn't been to a party in so long, and she felt a pang that she seemed to have missed out on the golden, post-Hogwarts years her peers were experiencing.

"Only the best people, of course. Anyone of note will be there and there will be a standard no boring policy at the door. I think it will be a good party because other people are sad too. We need more color, we need more distractions instead of all of this fuss and noise." Rita knew she was complaining now, but it's where she did her best work. She smiled back at Anya, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "You know, it really is nice to see you smile again. I think it's a sign to ditch the dark colors. Hopefully the manor isn't just as dark...oh Merline, you've opened up a window or something at least right?"

"knockturn?" she echoed, her brows crunching together. "i can't say i go down there too often. but next time i do, i'll keep my eye out." rita already knew that she wouldn't be caught getting any products in knockturn as bismall as it was. she already was on guard so that people didn't find her indulging in vices here. she shared a quick smile and leaned against the wall to mirror him. he was an interesting man who had still not given his name. this was something rita found interesting and turned over the idea in her mind. "it is quite surprising we have not met. i like to think i know almost everyone."

"Dating advice would make an excellent column idea, I'll run it past my editor." That would probably keep the man from firing him in fit of pique. Besides, people liked the fashion columns. It added flavor to an otherwise quite grim newspaper.

"i'm glad you think so too. people need to know what to expect when going out. they're all out there becoming blubbering idiots without any tact. everyone, not just men. i once saw witch wear polka dots with stripes. it's really bad out there." of course, there were more important things going on but rita faded into the gray when it came to reporting that news. it was just as serious, but not a lot of room to be creative.

A date gone awry was the last thing Ludo needed, it felt as though he'd wasted a perfectly good night with someone who hadn't been worth it. The witch had sold him a version of herself that didn't seem to be anywhere during their date, it was as if she'd lost all her spark. The date had been boring, and that's the worst thing a date can be. He'd expected more from the famous Rita Skeeter, and he was disappointed in having been disappointed-- it was not a feeling one should ever experience.

it was the surface level interest that drew the two together in the first place. two unfortunate people sewn together and rita couldn't have left the restaurant any sooner. the only reason she stayed, she told herself, was because she rarely had a night to spare and the martini had been good enough to sit through a miserable date. but it seemed he still had enough nerve to talk as if this was her problem, her cross to bear. "you cannot actually think that. i think about myself just enough, if that's too high for you, maybe make yourself taller." rita could leave in spite of the conversation, the minutes she would never get back. somehow though, she was tied down to this argument. "an apology-? interesting enough-?" she said, her mouth dropping in surprise. she couldn't believe what she heard. there wasn't anyone like her, something she was incredibly happy about. "if you had stopped talking for one second or asked a damn good question, you would think i'm the best person you've ever met. you know enough about quidditch leagues to not realize i'm outside of yours, you insufferable idiot."

"Careful, Skeeter, or I might not find our conversations valuable at all looking forward," she cut her short though her tone remained soft and her lips gave way to a smile as they reached the part of the conversation they both clearly enjoyed. Sabrina raised a curious brow, nodding her head along the blonde's words. "Lean closer, this is only for your ears, darling," the brunette gestured, speaking in a hushed tone next. "I've heard Rita Skeeter is either losing her touch or she thinks I'll settle for information I already know. If you want the juice, love, you have to up your game."

"oh, then you would be wrong," she said, cutting in just as easily with a quick smile. when rita leaned closer, her chest humming with anticipation, it dropped at the jejune news. rita rolled her eyes to the side, a scoff escaping her. "you cannot expect me to work or beg for news. if you have something useful for me, then it's up to you to tell me. i think my reputation speaks for itself if i act on it or not. if you don't have anything good now, on or off the record, then you can at least tell me when a next good social gala is. i just got new dress robes and have nowhere to wear them."

who: regulus & open where: Plein de vie (art gallery)

The Prophet was a well of pride for Rita, and during the intensity of the war, when headlines raged just as harshly as news outside the newspaper walls, Rita liked to add just enough feature news about the arts and culture to soften each blow. Rita heard about the gallery, owned by a pureblood, of course, which would only sharpen the news. She pushed the door open to find Regulus Black, challenging her with a clear passive dismissal. Rita grinned in response. "Well, aren't you just a clever one. I'm not here to buy any art, though I could use a new piece in my bedroom. It's so hard to import anything from France or Austria these days... enough about me, though. I'm here to talk about you. I'm with the Prophet, mind if I ask a couple of questions?"

“Well,” she said almost dismissively at this point, thinking Rita sometimes was too full of herself, “you are not taking good advantage of that money if you don’t listen when someone is giving you valuable information.” Sabrina knew the blonde was an asset in many ways and it was best to keep their relationship profitable for both of them and on good terms. However, she could not be entirely compliant at all times. “I can start over, of course, if there’s some other secret you’re willing to share in exchange.”

rita brought her gaze up towards sabrina with a pointed look. she didn't mind when people reprimanded her. at this point, she almost expected it from people. it was another thing to be cheapened. "i'm still missing the valuable part of this conversation. please, do go on or reach whatever point it is you're trying to make," rita said, sitting straighter in her chair. she offered a smile when it got more exciting. "there, see. i knew you could do it. sometimes i do love to be proven wrong. let's see...ludo bagman is trying to bag a woman from every department at the ministry. don't ask me how i know, i have my own sources. and you? please, something better than that."

"I had to see Madame Malkin about new robes that aren't... Well, you know." Anya gestured at the black she was currently wearing. She returned Rita's squeeze with one of her own. "Thank you," she added softly, feeling touched at her friend's thoughtfulness. "It's been a very difficult few months." She offered her a smile.

"Morbidly depressing?" Rita suggested airily with a tilt of her head. Rita would like to think she supported all of her friends, and it was through that responsibility to bolster her own, like Anya, who could use a bit of a pulse after a dark period. She didn't pretend to know what it felt like to lose someone she loved, but then she wondered if Anya loved her late husband or if it was arranged. Rita decided to hold her tongue with that question.

"I am the best one out there." Gilderoy corrected happily. Honestly he wasn't sure if his fellow men of London could even handle Rita. Perhaps it was for the best none of them held her interest. She was a force of nature sometimes.

"If only they could all learn from you. I'm serious, you could charge a thousand galleons to be as smart as you. You can steal that idea, as long as I get a percent of the profit," she added after a moment. Rita groaned into her hands, not even able to focus on the article in front of her that stared back at her. "Oh, honey, I will only take care of the bad ones for you." Rita stared at him thoughtfully for a moment, as if considering the idea, and then shook her head. "Maybe, I'll just be alone. Anyway, did you hear back from...remind me what their name was again? Rachel? Richard?"

"Eh, excuse me!" Lily gave a surprised but unamused laugh as Rita barged her way into the shop. "You can put them wherever you want as long as it's not in here. We don't stock newspapers," she told her, still standing beside the open door. Honestly, the entitlement of people these days would never stop shocking her. "We're a bookstore, not a newsagents."

Rita charged forward with her stack of newspapers folded under her arm and only turned around to give the redhead a practiced smile. "You say that like there's many publications to stock. It's the Prophet. And you won't even have to worry that long. I'm sure people will be snatching them away before your first hour is gone at this...charming bookstore." It was a new acquisition of hers and it wasn't Flourish by any means. Rita wasn't moving without setting them on the counter. "Exactly, sweetheart. It's a bookstore. People come here to read. Now, where is the owner?"