Nice Weather... (Michael/Dare)

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael had definitely raised an eyebrow and shot a glance between the two of them at Anna's response to whatever it was that Dare had said. He tilted his head at Dare's explanation, still not quite understanding, but he recognized the look in his eyes and accepted that it was all innocent and moved on. He couldn't quite let himself be comfortable, though, and his hands balled up in his pockets and then spread out as he tried to work out some of the tension.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna had followed Dare's gaze to Michael, not catching whatever exchange might have gone on, but seeing the connection between the pair. Part of the awkwardness began to surface again, telling her that she shouldn't be there with them. She knew that they were a couple, but she wanted to forget that detail for now. She ignored her thoughts, pushing them back to dwell on them when she was alone and could pick apart the whole meeting between the trio.

Looking at Michael brought on too much emotion, so she turned her attention to the virtual stranger again. She recalled the next part of the movie, and responded accordingly. "Not if I can help it." Now that he was fully clothed, her gaze drifted, taking in his full figure. She over exaggerated the motion, playing it up to acting out the scene, but knew she personally had motive for the initial act as well.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare grinned again, Anna's words conjuring up not only the movie, but the night at the ball, when she'd been so sure she'd been bad. Of course, that reminded him of what she'd done, and the results, so he sought further distraction, picking up the movie lines at the next spot he remembered. He gave her an exaggerated long look as well, though without any true intent behind it. "Those are skin tight. How do you get into those pants baby?" he quipped.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael raised his eyebrow again and even his discomfort disappeared for a moment as he tried to figure out what was going on. "What the hell are you two talking about?" he asked, looking from Anna to Dare in confusion. He got that it was something to do with muggles and movies or something, but he still had no idea, and it was confusing him how the two were talking to each other.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna burst into laughter at Michael's comment, realizing that it must sound pretty odd for someone that had never seen the movie. She hadn't really even considered what Michael would think of the exchange, and may have blushed anew at the idea if she wasn't laughing. "Austin Powers, only one of the funniest movies ever. He's very shagadelic." She replied, looking at Michael again before she turned back to Dare and tried to control her giggle with a smile plastered on her face.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"You're a bit of all right yourself, baby, yeah," Dare replied, in the same fake British accent he'd used before. He looked at Michael again, trying to control himself and his gaze softened at the look on Michael's face. He thought that maybe they could get the Room of Requirement to be a theater so Michael could see it, but when he thought about it a second longer, the movie was really a play on a lot of older movies that Michael would have no references to, either. "I'll cut it out with the movie quotes," he promised. For now, at least.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael's eyebrow felt permanently stuck in the upward position as he looked back at Dare. Whatever movie it was, just the feeling he got from the words, the impression of what it meant, it made him feel very awkward to have Anna and Dare talking about it. He ran one uncomfortable hand through his hair, the other stayed deep in his pocket, and willed himself to relax. The two of them seemed just fine, though he still couldn't get over how they were comfortable together.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna was looking at Dare and saw the change in him. She had been trying to forget the tense moment, the underlying unspoken things that her running into them brought up. She'd been able to distract herself with the movie topic, but now that it was over, she had no clue what else to distract herself with. All she could think of, was that she didn't want to talk about them, any of them. She looked between the two, then past them at the lake. "So, was the water warm enough for a swim?" She adjusted the towel on her shoulder as if to explain her reason for questioning.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare arched an eyebrow now, as his gaze left Michael and swung back to Anna. "I thought it was," he said. Considering they'd been in the water when Anna had arrived. He bit his tongue against saying that it had been a little too warm in spots, and only struggled not to grin again, the corner of his lips quirking with the effort. This wasn't the masquerade, where he could flirt shamelessly with Michael and get away with it.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael nodded, "It's fine." He could feel that Dare had wanted to add something, and his eyes flicked over there to see the little turn in the corner of his mouth that gave it away. His eyes warmed as he looked at Dare, the discomfort leaving momentarily for the comfort of letting himself remember. "I love the water, though," he said absently, shrugging slightly, any water felt good to him, though a lot of it had to do with the company he had had.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna looked back when they spoke, and couldn't help but notice the glances between the two. She was failing miserably at forgetting they were a couple now, and gave up trying. It had been a noble effort, but there was no getting around the fact. She knew that she would have to face their relationship sooner or later, she had just hoped it would be later. Her smile had faded from her lips, but she somehow managed to keep most of her thoughts from showing anywhere but her eyes. Remembering she had asked a question, she replayed their response in her head. She took their words at face value, but since the topic was nothing more exciting then the weather, she had nothing to add and silence took over.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Dare looked at Michael a bit longer than he probably should have before realizing that things had gone quiet. His hand rose again to rub at the back of his neck, and he grimaced lightly at the sting that told him he'd been in the sun too long. Dammit. He dropped his hand again, hoping it wouldn't be too bad and brought his gaze back up to Anna, clearing his throat. "It's a good place to swim," he said, buying himself time again while he tried to think of another ice-breaker.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael nodded and put his free hand back into his pocket, pushing it deep in search of comfort. "As long as the squid doesn't decide to show up," he added absently, purely something to say instead of a try at actual conversation. He decided to keep his eyes on Dare for the moment, thinking that it might make things a little less uncomfortable if he avoided Anna.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna looked back to the lake, unable to take the way Michael was staring at Dare. She didn't know if it was to avoid her, or just because he was dating Dare, but both reasons were equally unnerving. "I heard he was friendly." Anna decided she should participate seeing how she was the one to introduce the horrible topic. There were so many things that she'd rather say to Michael; unanswered questions she'd like to ask, and information she felt entitled to. She knew that she'd be hard pressed to ever build up the courage to talk about things with Michael, especially with Dare in hearing range.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

"I heard he eats Hufflepuffs," Dare volunteered, trying to loosen things up again. "That's why there aren't very many of them." He'd heard no such thing, but he was trying. Besides, he didn't think he'd actually met any Hufflepuffs, so who was he offending? No one. "We're all safe here, though," he added. They had three quarters of the Houses between them, but not a single Hufflepuff.