The Moon's Gravity [Tag: Remus]

[Nymphadora Tonks]

London nightlife on a Saturday night was a hub of humanity at it's best and worst, it's most colourful and it's most dank, and it hadn't changed a bit in the six years since Tonks had been capable of sneaking into a nightclub legally and snitching drinks without the thrilling threat of being caught out. Not that she'd done much of that anyway, despite what people might think and her appearance might suggest, considering the age of nineteen onwards had been spent with head down and her bum up, literally, in the hard slog uphill that came with Auror training.

Sirens blared in the distance and not twenty paces in front of her and across the street, music of the heavy metal persuasion blared into the night as the doors to one of London's many Soho nightclubs sprung open, literally ejecting what were two very obviously drunk and past their limit blokes out onto the street. The boys - for that was what they were - promptly staggered to their feet, and Tonks sighed, rolling her eyes as they attempted to fight their way past the hulking bouncers in the entry-way, with predictable results.

Nope. Nightlife hasn't changed a bit.

Another sigh, and Tonks shoved her hands in her pockets before moving on. Or tried to, belatedly remembering that neither the ruffled skirt nor the sequined, forest green top she was wearing sported pockets. Her best bet was hooking her thumbs in her belt, but the dull thudding in her skull really made that out to be too much effort. And she'd already made enough of an effort tonight, thanks very much. Too much of an effort.

Oh sure. He'd seemed pretty nice at first, if a bit...well, cocky. And she really was all too pathetic these days when it came to the dating scene; she'd end up a crazy old cat lady before she knew it, if she wasn't careful. And he wasn't a friend, and she hadn't had any squiggly first-time feelings that she'd sworn to run the hell from last year, when Evan had been unfaithful. Seemed perfectly safe, really. Just drinks. On a Saturday night, and wherever it went from there, it went. Only it hadn't gone anywhere, really. He'd seemed nice, but a little bit cocky? Well...Dora was all for being confident in one's self, but boasting about it constantly? Really, and it was just plain rude even to someone as boisterous as her to not let the other person get a word in edgeways. But still...

...well, it had been alright. Until she'd had to restrain the very compelling urge to break his nose. That tended to happen with guys these days, when they made cracks at her morphing magic. Right little fantasy, she was. Bastards. They were all the same, practically the lot of them.

Tonks paused to glance into the dark reflection of a mirror, one of a few scattered along the fence to this particular park she now lurked about. Her reflection, of course, stared back, perfectly pretty and perfectly made up and thoroughly, utterly sullen and wry. Tonks grimaced a little, eyeing the blondish-brown ringlets she'd opted for tonight distastefully. Glancing about to make sure nobody - Muggles in particular - were there to catch her, she turned back, promptly scrunching her nose and morphing her hair dark magenta, though she kept the loose ringlets despite shortening them a little. The colour was just reddish enough to get on alright with the green top, but just enough to clash if you really looked.

And of course, that delighted Tonks to no end, a playful smirk creeping along pixie features and lightening them of the sullens somewhat. Better. Hell better, and she liked it that way.

"And to hell with everyone else," she muttered wryly, kicking idly at the iron fenceline. Rebellious and colourful and to hell with the world and...ugh, to hell with it. Yet another sigh escaped the young woman's lips, and uncaring of the dimmer lighting in such an area, she ambled her way through the gates into the park to lean against the stone foundations of aforementioned gates. Perched there, she picked idly at her sandals, slipping one off so it hung by her toes with the other, head leaning back to gaze up at a sky surprisingly clear for London tonight, taking in a moon almost full that, if one wanted to be romantic, seemed to reflect the very nature of the city at heart. Or rather, a great majority of it's occupants...bright and showy and even loud...but really, at heart, a great deal more lonely than any of them would ever let on.

Including herself.

[Remus Lupin]

It was dangerously close to a moon and this was the time that Remus tended to try to pull away as best he could. Every thing was on edge, his temper was a lot shorter, and his desires a lot stronger, something he preferred not to acknowledge but was forces to face from time to time. And this moon was one of those moons where he was forced to acknowledge it. He certainly wasn't going to act on it, that was something he had forbidden himself from doing, acting upon his desires. Of course not acting upon them made the thoughts and desires all the stronger. Thus Remus attempted to read away his thoughts and get distracted by delving into a good novel but was failing miserably. Instead of focusing on the hero's plight his mind kept drifting off with particular focus on one woman in particular.

As of late he had seen quite a bit of Dora from their lovely meal and shopping together almost a month ago to their run in at Hogsmeade with the Potters. To a few other chance meetings here and there. Even though she was not there he could almost smell her and the thought of her soft skin, and then her lips which were so perfectly poised, he could only imagine how they would taste let alone feel - his mind went only a little bit further and that was more than enough. Remus came surging back to reality red faced, slightly embarrassed at his deplorable behavior when really Dora was much to young and simply a friend, and quite angry with himself for his thoughts as well. He was ashamed and hated that his mind had actually gone so far with a woman that he could never. It was wrong! He cared for Dora and she was Sirius' cousin he couldn't let the wolf ruin things and hurt the people he cared most about.

With a sigh he closed his book and set it down getting up from the chair he was sitting in. Reading was not going to do, that was obvious, he needed a distraction otherwise his mind was going to go to very dangerous places, places he did not want it to go, places that were forbidden. He paced for a minute alone in his shabby little place before he let out another frustrated sigh. There was nothing for it, he needed to get out, it was dangerous, not so much for himself but others but then again remaining where he was wasn't good either.

Remus changed into what could be called better clothing even if still a bit shabby. His clothes were decidedly muggle and maybe just a wee bit professor-ish what with clean slacks and a brown, light sweater. It was best probably to stay on the muggle side of things so as not to run into people he knew.

His plan was to spend the night walking maybe stop in a late night club have a few stiff drinks or in his case several as he held liquor very well as a werewolf and then when slightly intoxicated go home to sleep it off and then prepare for the transformation. It wasn't much of a plan but it was something and it was better than sitting at home allowing his mind to wander to places it dare not go.

Stepping out into the clear night Remus glowered at the moon before turning on the spot to apparate away to a quiet and dark little corner of London where he wouldn't be seen arriving. He easily stepped out onto the street not being far just down from the park which was rather quiet considering everyone was partying rather than spending time a dark dimly lit park, though this night with the stars and the moon there wasn't much need for lighting.

Remus stuffed his hands in his pockets and started to saunter up the walk to pass the park but was stopped short as a particular smell wafted through the air. Now this wasn't fair! He didn't have it that bad! He shook his head and mumbled to himself about his needed to get it together before walking on, the smell growing stronger and he knew it couldn't be his imaginings. Yet instead of doing the smart thing he followed on almost like a predator on the prowl acting more on instinct rather than conscious decisions, causing him to stop short when he saw the all too familiar figure sitting there. Metamorph or not, he could not deny her smell and he knew her silhouette quite well, as she did not change that by much or often.

"Dora?" he asked sounding quite surprised and taken aback because in some ways he was despite following her scent so to speak. He didn't expect her to be out in muggle London at least the very same area of muggle London that he would happen upon. What was she doing here anyway?

[Nymphadora Tonks]

It was a testament to how the night had gone, or rather, how far away she was in her thoughts; she hadn't noticed him approaching. Not such a good thing in theory; she was, after all, a female and to the unsuspecting eye, probably very easy prey on a Saturday night. Moody could and probably would kill her for such a lack of vigilance. At the same time, though, it was as if Remus had barely made a sound, or if he had, barely enough sound for it to register unless one was listening hard...which was rather thrilling and chilling in a sort of spine-tingling way, if she was honest with herself.

Maybe it's some kind of full moon thing.

...spine-tingling indeed.

"Remus! Wotcher!" The sandal dangling from the edge of her foot finally slipped off, and Tonks uttered a very unladylike curse, diving to catch it and setting the sequins of her top clinking softly doing so. Miraculously, she managed to avoid toppling face-first into the pavement and even rescued her shoe, though it still didn't quite stop the flush of embarrassment on her cheeks as she stood upright again, hopping quite comically on one foot until her hands found the sturdy foundation she'd been sitting on moments ago. But of course you'd do something like this; you always *do* make a cock of yourself with him.

"What are you doing out and about?" Tonks paused, mentally resisting the urge to look up at the almost full moon too obviously and focusing on putting her sandal back on instead. Despite her embarrassment, though, and her rather melancholic appearance earlier, she couldn't help teasing him - she never could resist; it was like a chronic illness almost - sparing the werewolf before her a half-playful grin and an almost flirty twinkle in dark eyes. And of course, a cheeky comment.

"Never occurred to me that nerdy Professors were ones for the London nightlife, you know."

[Remus Lupin]

Remus worked to keep his distance as Dora dropped her sandal and hopped around a bit getting it on. Despite the cursing and the flailing about Remus found Dora to be rather attractive even in that moment, and the instincts that were coursing though his body said that he needed to take things to a whole new level, a thought that should never have entered his mind and yet there it was because he had a chance meeting with Dora right before a full moon.

"Well, I'm not as nerdy as you think really," a bit of a husky coy tone played on his lips and a bit of a smile to match. The words and actions were out before he could really check them. "I've had my fair share of the night life actually." Which is true considering the nature of Sirius and James.

"What brings you out to muggle London tonight? Shouldn't you be with someone?" There that was something a bit safer. It wasn't coy it wasn't alluring it was a question that was safe and the mention of someone else might be good keep things from going in the direction that the wolf wanted them to go into.

[Nymphadora Tonks]

She almost dropped her shoe again. Almost. Good thing she didn't, as she wasn't sure even her usual clumsiness would suffice as an excuse, considering the timing. Not that she could be blamed; she'd had many a conversation with Remus of the warm and playful variety, sometimes so close to flirtatious it more danced along the line with a foot on each side rather than simply toed it on one side. But rarely ever, if at all, could she ever remember him actually overstepping the line in a complete fashion before retreating fast behind it again. It was one of those infuriatingly frustrating - and discouraging things - about being attracted to this man; he never quite played it straight and in the open.

Only, you'd have to be blind--deaf, blind and mute--

Even when she thought he might be flirting, had flirted, she was never quite certain.

You are none of those by a long shot. He was flirting. Undoubtably and indubiably so.

Tonks almost giggled at the coveted reference to a certain fictional detective, but she managed to keep a straight face, finally kicking her sandal back into place and standing up with the usual bounce in the balls of her feet. Well, keeping a straight face was relative; she couldn't not bite her bottom lip when he did that even as her eyes glittered with the warmth of the suppressed laughter - shit, you're wearing lippie; it's going to stain your teeth you twot - and one eyebrow raised slightly. Slowly. Playfully. In very much the same way she swayed a little on the balls of her feet - slight, slow and playful.

Not that swaying was a hard thing to do. Any half sane woman *would* swoon at that tone of voice.

Or jig like a spazz, considering it was her. Which she was, admittedly, close to doing. Even if Remus was kind of retreating behind his usual shell again oh no you don't, wolfie.

"Right old night owl, aren't you." Tonks chuckled, using the momentum of her absent-minded, restless swaying to twist about lightly on her foot - and surprisingly without falling over - in the direction of the park. Over her shoulder, she smiled lightly, innocently, a silent fancy a moonlit walk, Moony? in her expression - for she did love nighttime and she did love Autumn herself, actually, and it was indeed both - even as her eyes shadowed slightly at the mention of her not being with someone. Oh, she had been, but obviously circumstances and sheer dumb luck would have it be otherwise. Fate was a bitch like that. Still, it didn't stop her delivering her final, playful sucker punch - over the shoulder, playful, and so very wicked. Very much like a certain idolised cousin of hers, down to the grin.

"And I'd say you're in luck, Professor. Rumour has it 'nerdy' is the new 'hot' these days."

Oh. Flirting indeed.

[Remus Lupin]

Mentally Remus drew a line in the sand, he was not going to step over that line and he was going to keep his distance. The smell of Dora mixed with the wolf urges were difficult to resist. The truly wise thing would be to retreat, to run away, to tuck tail and run and yet he he stood there eyes watching every move of the younger woman in front of him. The way she bit her lip caused those wicked desires to rise up in him and if there were a counter or tree near by to lean on he would have but there wasn't and thus he stood there probably looking like a lost daft old fool as he stood at a 'safe' distance.

"I can't really help it being one," he answered quietly avoiding from looking up at the sky above where the near full moon hung in the air. Being a werewolf dictated that he be up for at least one night, and it messed with his sleeping patterns not to mention created a rather bad case of insomnia for him, no matter how normally he tried to sleep and act he would many times not be able to sleep a full night through let alone sleep at all. It was why he was so well versed in reading, it was a quiet activity to while away the long night hours while he sipped a tea hoping to either get a chance to catch a few z's before the night was up or survive the day on such little sleep it was why he was almost always seeming to be tired save for the night hours. It wasn't his choice to be a night owl it was just simply his nature.

The Dora moved to venture further in the park looking so inviting and tantalizing as she moved and the look was so - so dead sexy. Yet this was the time to maybe make an excuse to head into town and remove himself from the situation but Dora had to speak again, and he nearly swallowed his tongue. Was she? Logic said she wasn't she couldn't be! What interest would she have in him? And yet the way she said 'professor' and pretty much calling him hot, it was a nice ego stroke and he fell into step with Dora. Part of him said he should explain how his question wasn't an attempt to try and pick her up but he couldn't quite make those words come out of his mouth.

"I guess I am lucky," he spoke in a lightly flirting tone. "I just happen upon you alone and apparently am nerdy. I'll have to be careful or my luck will run out."

[Nymphadora Tonks]

Chills. It was all about the chills down the spine, for lack of a better word. Strange, really, and it was just Remus. Just Remus, he whom she'd dealt with and hung out with a million and one times at just about every age she'd ever been, save a few. She was comfortable with him, always had been regardless of how mad a crush she was nursing at the time. Not that she minded her movements being followed at every twitch and every touch, or being aware of it; she wasn't shy like some people, and even liked attention. Certainly off this man, she did.

It was just...something. Something predatory and watchful, something Sirius had once made mention of, something very 'dark side of the moon'. Just...something.

And she supposed she maybe should find it...them...the chills...a little disconcerting. And she did, but in the most wonderful form of disconcerting possible. Tonks was an Auror; she was used to the feeling of a thrill, even enjoyed it. And even if she hadn't been an Auror, she'd likely still be the same. And while she'd certainly never consider the man now choosing to accompany her on a random stroll to wherever at midnight a mere thrill, there was a certain element to it that explained why she was entirely unbothered by the whole thing.

Scratch unbothered, she was completely the opposite, and it took all of her self discipline not to grin widely like an idiot, or squee like a moron, when she glanced at Remus to not only find him teasing, but take note of the flirtatious twinkle brightening usually serene grey eyes. Flirty and playful and completely tripping her mind up with exhiliration, because he never usually responded like this to her no matter what she did, and there was her mind again, tumbling over the mention her cousin had made one day long ago of predatory and Remus before a full moon and--

Alone. I've found you all alone. Oh, Merlin. Oh, who's afraid of the big, bad wolf?

Definitely not me.

Tonks had to congratulate herself on her self-discipline, especially considering she'd had just enough alcohol not an hour before to make her slightly tipsy, as she both had to bite her tongue against uttering the big bad wolf monologue out loud and resist the urge to pounce slip her arms through Remus's, companiable as it might be. Though he did help, if inadverdantly - the mention of being lucky and happening upon her without company at this time was enough to remind Tonks, just a little, of the company she'd indeed abandoned not an hour ago. Wanker company it might have been, but it was testament to how utterly absmysal she apparently was when it came to every aspect of her love life. Like she was bloody cursed, really, and had been so from the moment she'd met her ex-fiancee those years back.

"Ha, it probably has run out then," she chuckled, doing a credible job of forcing a decent chuckle out too, and a half-playful smile at Remus along with an equally half-playful shrug of one bare, glittery shoulder.

"Seeing as while you might be all hot and nerdy tonight, you're actually keeping company with a bit of a jaded, cynical soul." Another little shrug. And she didn't really want to go ruining his night with her own childish, girly woes, but as usual...well, word vomit, and all. What she was good at. Or maybe it wasn't just that; she hadn't said a lot yet, not really, it was just...Remus, even Remus in this mood, had a habit of making her *want* to talk. Talk when it might not be her usual cheery, spazzy self.

[Remus Lupin]

As the two walked close to each other there was tension, and a lot of it. It wasn't the bad kind per-say, it was electrifying, it heightened the senses even for a normal human, and increased what were already excellent sense for him. He could sense and feel every move of that sexy body next to him as there was a burning desire just to take Dora in his arms and just... he stopped his thoughts there before they got too far and he would want to quite literally pounce her. He in turn tucked his hands into his pockets to help create a bit of a barrier between what he wanted to do and what he knew he should do, despite how intoxicating Dora's smell was. It was laced with a bit of alcohol but he didn't care, but it was interesting to consider that she had gone out and was alone and now choosing to spend time with him in the moon light. He swallowed as he tried to make unbidden thoughts go away. They were friends nothing more. He couldn't hurt Dora not in that way, and he wasn't about to let the beast win and destroy something so wonderful and perfect.

He did give Dora a curious look as she said that the luck probably had run out. Though she laughed he could almost feel a bit of the sadness in her. He didn't pretend to know Dora so well as one look would tell him all and sometimes his feelings about people were wrong. What had happened that night? There he was 'hot and nerdy' as she put it and she was a 'jaded and cynical soul'.

There was a passing thought in all of this to come back with a very flirty and over the top response that was utterly randy and would be something that Sirius would have been proud of but he didn't he was able to push aside his desires to care for Dora and harbor concern for her. "Why so jaded and cynical?" he asked the worry and care rather clear in his tone. He hated the idea of Dora being sad and he wanted to fix that. He wanted to make sure that Dora was happy and wouldn't be sad as she sort of seemed to be now. He knew at this moment he was a pair of ears to listen and in that moment despite any wolfish desires he was content to be nothing more than that.