For someone as smart as he is, Severus can be hilariously dumb about certain things. Which is why it takes him a very delayed moment to fully cotton on to what Odessa is getting at, here, gaze slightly frowning, staring at her, a wheel turning slowly somewhere in his brain.
"Are you?" Odessa keeps any wounded affect out of her voice. It's not the first time she's actually had those exact words said to her in a very similar situation. Not even the second or third time. It's much easier (on her) to reflect the blame back onto him than admit that her approach is almost entirely the problem. The what's wrong with me question is never one she likes the answer to.
"You're educated, a doctor, and one of the most beautiful women on this accursed ship."
Severus recites this in a flat tone, to the point. The look he gives her is wary and definitely not offended, but it's clear he doesn't trust her - or, doesn't trust her in this moment. He tries not to make it obvious, but beneath the armor of being far too aloof and superior for all this nonsense, slivers of the real question he didn't voice are lurking. Are you making fun of me?
He's not even the sort of person who's convinced himself of this possibility out of self-pity and shyness. He's convinced of this possibility because it's been his actual experience.
Oddly enough, he inspires the same fear of ridicule in her that she does in him. Especially given any lack of animation in his delivery.
She takes several seconds to study him for any additional cues as to what he may be thinking specifically about her. Two can play at this game, can't they? "Is it so strange to think that I find you fascinating? You're obviously highly educated yourself, a powerful wizard," yes, that's a little strange to say for her; it is what it is, "and more than just reasonably attractive."
For a moment, she allows herself to look unguarded. Maybe even as much as she feels. "You really think I'm beautiful?"
The more she speaks, the higher his eyebrows climb in incredulity. When she gets to the crocodile end he all but throws his hands up.
"All right," he says, "That's about enough of that. You're being ludicrous." No he is not having a tender moment over insecurity with the woman who announced a guy in an alley wanted her to fall on his dick for white knighting her and then nearly giggled at Severus controlling the man's mind into probable assisted suicide. "And also very immature about deflecting conversation concerning your mental health."
The act, such as it may have been, is dropped in favour of standing up straighter and rolling her eyes. "You really are something else." And that sounds like a compliment. "I'm fine." She sighs and adds under her breath, "Wanting to get laid notwithstanding." So, consider that offer a standing one? "I almost did something terrible to a lot of people on this ship because I wanted my freedom. I made the decision not to. And now I don't have a voice in my head directing me to acts of mayhem." See? Fine.
He rolls his eyes, but only a little. It seems like a strangely elegant movement. It's not that Severus wouldn't want to sleep with her - he wasn't lying, she is attractive in a number of ways - but Severus has about nine billion other issues. Among them not really caring at all about getting laid.
"Good. Glad that's settled." God. Why can't he just shut up and have sex like a normal man?
Oh, right. Because then he wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
"So now you know I'm not deflecting when I say call me." Odessa taps the table with the flat of her hand once before pushing away and working toward a slow amble to the door. "Enjoy the wine. Or enjoy whatever you trade the wine for. And thanks again for not leaving me behind."
Severus doesn't say anything as she leaves - he doesn't even really look at her until she's already on her way out, and his expression is still incredulous. It's been a long time since someone pretended to be that desperate at him. But at the same time, he has no idea what ulterior motive Odessa might have; this doesn't make him think she might be serious, it makes him think she has something else that he hasn't figured out going on.
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But then.
"Are you out of your bloody mind?"
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"Are you?" Odessa keeps any wounded affect out of her voice. It's not the first time she's actually had those exact words said to her in a very similar situation. Not even the second or third time. It's much easier (on her) to reflect the blame back onto him than admit that her approach is
almostentirely the problem. The what's wrong with me question is never one she likes the answer to.no subject
Severus recites this in a flat tone, to the point. The look he gives her is wary and definitely not offended, but it's clear he doesn't trust her - or, doesn't trust her in this moment. He tries not to make it obvious, but beneath the armor of being far too aloof and superior for all this nonsense, slivers of the real question he didn't voice are lurking. Are you making fun of me?
He's not even the sort of person who's convinced himself of this possibility out of self-pity and shyness. He's convinced of this possibility because it's been his actual experience.
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She takes several seconds to study him for any additional cues as to what he may be thinking
specifically about her. Two can play at this game, can't they? "Is it so strange to think that I find you fascinating? You're obviously highly educated yourself, a powerful wizard," yes, that's a little strange to say for her; it is what it is, "and more than just reasonably attractive."For a moment, she allows herself to look unguarded. Maybe even as much as she feels. "You really think I'm beautiful?"
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"All right," he says, "That's about enough of that. You're being ludicrous." No he is not having a tender moment over insecurity with the woman who announced a guy in an alley wanted her to fall on his dick for white knighting her and then nearly giggled at Severus controlling the man's mind into probable assisted suicide. "And also very immature about deflecting conversation concerning your mental health."
DON'T THINK HE MISSED THAT, ODESSA.
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"Good."
You weirdo.
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Oh, right. Because then he wouldn't be nearly as interesting.
"So now you know I'm not deflecting when I say call me." Odessa taps the table with the flat of her hand once before pushing away and working toward a slow amble to the door. "Enjoy the wine. Or enjoy whatever you trade the wine for. And thanks again for not leaving me behind."
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Ugh.
Back to work.