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Ah, yeah, see, that's more like it. That's the old Marauding spirit.

[They might be lying to themselves a little--but perhaps the more they lie, the truer it will become, until they can convince themselves utterly. Or nearly utterly, Sirius would take that, even. Better that then thinking about a future that might not come true.

Because they can change it. That's what everyone has said, and they can't all be lying to themselves. And there simply can't be a world where James dies and Remus is alone. It's not allowed. So he grins, faintly, at James, and claps him once more on the arm before he takes a tiny step back, reestablishing the normal distance between them. (Though really, normal is relative, they're as like to be found collapsed on each other like puppies as they are standing apart.)]

I mean, first things first, right. We have to work out how to get back to Hogwarts in the first place. And all the time in the world to plan until then--not that we need it, not us. [They worked out the animagus spell in just a few years! They made the Marauder's Map! If anyone can do this, it's them, and some of that bravado comes back to Sirius as he studies James.] And weirdly enough, we've got your son to tell us what to do, which, good work there, I s'ppose. Weird. But good work.

[ Lying would make sense, under the circumstances. At least until James can talk himself up to a point where it doesn't matter or he doesn't care. Something to distance himself from the fact this is supposed to be his future. Lie until it becomes truth, until everyone around them thinks it's truth - because it's all relative, right? What people believe, think, say, it's half the reason the Marauders could get away with what they did. As long as the right people believed the right lie, it could all fall into place.

Never thought he'd have to be the one to believe the lie, but there's a first time for everything.

Sirius gives him a grin, and James just grins back, acting like he's shrugging off the pat because please. They're past all that now. He's accepted it and moved on and it doesn't matter that they didn't tell him - not really - because it's not going to happen. James' eyes fall to the space between them again, trying to swallow back the fact he still doesn't know if he's got this, if he can just move past this, before it's onto the plan. The steps. Things they can do differently. That's something he can think about, latch onto. ]

Depending on how long we're here, we might still be out for summer. Or, I will. Don't know when you came from-- [ No, thinking back on the time issues and differences just gives him a headache. ] But it's not like there's much else to do here but plan. We might actually have to take our time with it.

[ He adds a little disgusted look to the end of that, because taking time? Patience? Most of their plans were done in secret, at most days before their ploys. Granted, this was a little different, but if they had the time then who knew what they could accomplish. At the mention of Harry, James can't help but laugh - it's ridiculous, thinking that bloke's his son. ]

Can't really take credit for that, can I? Not unless you wanna talk about his dashing good looks, I didn't help with much of anything. [ Which, Merlin, how can he feel guilty about not being around to raise a kid he hasn't even had yet? How mental is that? ] Have you talked to him? Bloody serious, which makes sense with his whole 'ending the war' thing, but still.

[Take our time. Sirius pulls a little face that echoes James', something with slightly crossed eyes and a definitely frown.]

There's a reason I hate potions: I hate waiting.

[But it's an idle comment, more to try to reestablish something normal between them, something of their usual banter--better that then dwelling on the thought of all that time confusion.

And speaking of time confusion... as James starts in about Harry, Sirius pulls another face--though this one is slightly more pained than disgusted.]

Yeah, I talked to him. He looks like you all right, but he's not-- [He waves a hand at James, encompassing him.] He needs a girlfriend. And a drink. Maybe two. Perhaps that's what we're really here for, eh, taking care that your-- [Don't say son it's too weird] --that he gets a proper education in proper things. Marauder things.

[They can't really afford to get too distracted, not with so much to plan for--but then again, they are sort of trapped here, aren't they?]

[ Neither of them were much good at potions, but James shrugs anyway. ]

Then I guess we'll have to find something to distract ourselves with.

[ And maybe there's a hint of a smile with that comment, something that definitely feels more normal. More them. Plus, the wonder hasn't really worn of yet of this place - James still finds himself staring whenever he walks around, checking the network to see the other people. Everything is new and different and exciting, and if this is what he has - if this is all he has until they go home - he might as well enjoy it.

But Harry? Harry's an awkward topic. Awkward topic which means that James just wants to shrug it off but talk about it all at the same time. Sirius' face is twisted into something else, and for one reason or another James feels a tad defensive about it. ]

He seems nice enough. [ A laugh at the girlfriend comment, but yeah. That would probably help. ] He played Quidditch, apparently, so that's not failed him. And he's a Gryffindor, so it can't be too difficult to loosen him up, and then he'll fit right in. If he's not too old, of course.

Too old--he's a baby really, isn't he? He acts old, but he's still a baby. What year was he born?

[And Sirius is going to call him a baby, age and behavior be damned. That's the way he'll deal with this, by forging fill speed ahead and teasing Harry as best as he can (no matter if he acts too old for it). After all, that's how affection and acceptance is best shown, right?]

What's he play in Quidditch? It's a pity the holly deck won't do a proper pitch, we could get him to play-- force Remus to confront his fears, see if Evans is any good...

Wouldn't say baby when he's nearly twenty. Acts like he's forty, honestly, but we can change that right up.

[ And James isn't going to think about years and dates because that will make this all seem concrete. Simply saying the future still leaves room for growth, change. Plus, James doesn't know if he even wants to think about dates at all - Harry's here, Harry needs to live a little, and he'll be damned if that bloke will remain as serious as he is today. ]

Seeker! [ And that makes him laugh a little, excited. ] Can you believe that? Says he was pretty good for a while there, before the war got bad. But what I wouldn't give for a pitch. Think we can fix one up? The holly decks might not work now but if we can figure out what kind of hex to use...they don't have brooms around here, do they? [ and there's that grin, just trying to imagine Remus up on a broom again. Evans playing quidditch. ] She'd probably be ruthless, but I say we give it a try. No harm in trying.

[Nor is Sirius going to think about years and dates &c. But he is still going to call Harry a baby, thank you, because not only is he of a young and tender birthdate, but he clearly hasn't lived. At all. Or well, he's lived in all of the wrong ways and it's up to them to change that round. It's their duty.]

Seeker. I can't believe any progeny of yours is coordinated enough to be a Seeker, I have to see this-- we'll get a pitch together and we'll look for brooms. Make a note, Potter. That's our new mission. That or we can just ask for brooms for Space Christmas. Now d'you think Evans will play as a Beater with me, she seems predisposed for that...

[ but calling him a baby is going to remind James that he's his baby. Granted, it might only take a week or two before James is used to the idea and joins Sirius, but that week will be awkward. ]

Wicked, isn't it? Always knew I had it in my genes somewhere. Just a matter of it coming down through the line - pitch shouldn't be to difficult with how large this bloody ship is. But it's noted, Marauder's next mission is getting a game of quidditch to work in space. Quidditch, in space. [ And then just...laughter. ] I'd be terrified for my well being if we gave her a bat, honestly, but beyond that she'd probably be brilliant at it. As long as we can be sure she only goes after the other team.

[GET OVER IT JAMES maybe don't have babies in the first place]

Nah, I'm sure it's Evans' genes doing that. She's far more graceful and coordinated and all. [A beat; he pulls a face. Complimenting Evans AND referencing the future, disgusting!] Don't tell her I said that. And don't tell her I'm the other Beater, please, or else I think she'll take the club to me instead, and we'll lose the Space Cup.

[ um no thank you. he very much still wants that family, even after all these strange awkward time shenanigans. ]

Well apparently Lily's and my genes make a Seeker. Her coordination and my innate Quidditch talent. [ but oh ho ho he's keeping that moment for safe keeping and possibly bribery. ] Well she'll have to find out soon enough if we plan on having a match at all. And we can't lose the Space Cup, Pads. What will that say about our reputation?

[ur gross james]

She won't have to find out at all, I'll do a disguise. False moustaches. Two of them at least. She'll never know. It's that or we lose the Space Cup, right, and our reputations will be forever tarnished! We never lose! Don't let your future wife ruin that for us!

[ ur just jealous cause no one wants to make babies with you ]

You might want to go with four, just to be safe. And a wig. She is quite clever, you know. [ see? complimenting lily is not that difficult sirius. ] But if we can get your adequately hidden, we'll have no issues at all. The Space Cup will be ours and we'll be space champions.

[ it's really quite sad that james would have no idea what the word 'intergalactic' means ]

[oh people WANT TO ok it's just that babies are gross]

Are you joking, I'm not covering up myhair with a wig. There's no way, mate. Deprive the world of this? [A gesture toward what is--you have to admit it!--his really good hair. Complimenting Sirius is even easier. Go on.] I'll do the rest of it, though, for the Space Cup, and for the glory of Gryffindor and all.

Though I s'ppose that means we'll have to teach quidditch to the muggles in the first place. Won't that be interesting.

Edited (oops) 2013-04-19 14:15 (UTC)

[ uh-huh, sure. whatever helps you sleep at night. ]

This is for your safety, you know. [ Have an eyeroll for that hair flip, Sirius, because really. Really. ] For the glory of our house. For Gryffindor.

Ehh, I'm sure they'll pick it up easy enough. Get 'em a broom and a bat and they can pick up on the rest.

I hardly need you to keep me safe, Potter. Me or my hair. It brings its own honour and glory to Gryffindor, thanks. And if you're proposing we unleash ourselves on an unsuspecting team of muggles--

[He pauses, for effect.]

--unsportsman. But I like it.

But I worry, Black. For your well-being, for your hair. It would be a great loss to the house as a whole if we lost that.

[ James scoffs, appalled that Sirius would even think such a thing. ]

They'd hardly be unsuspecting. They'd have volunteered! Hopefully.

You aren't worried about my hair, you're jealous of it, and everyone knows it, darling. It's all right.

[Having muggles play qudditch is dangerously close to muggle-baiting, isn't it, which Sirius disdains. But then again, it's also a good prank, so-o....

He grins.]

Hopefully?

Jealous? Of your hair? I'm jealous of you for a great many things, mate, but that's not one of them.

[ who wouldn't want this wind-swept, just-got-off-his-broom look anyhow? ]

Hopefully! I mean, would you turn down the chance to fly if you've never done it before?

[James just gets a consoling pat on the arm for that protest because oh, mate, everyone is jealous of Sirius' hair.]

I dunno if I would or not, I can't remember not flying, y'know? I expect I wouldn't turn it down... flying being brilliant and all... I mean, really, we're giving them a chance of a lifetime!

Edited (HTML MY NEMESIS ) 2013-04-23 13:43 (UTC)

See? My point stands. And it's not like we couldn't get Remus to fix 'em up again if anything happened.

[ really he just wants to play quidditch. more than almost anything. ]

Very true. Very true--see, this is why I keep you around, Prongs, you always know just what to say and how to make everything better. We are agreed, then--we will proceed with the quidditch plan and educate the whole ship.

[Solemnly, he presents his hand for a handshake because this is a very solemn moment.]

I do my best when I can. But yes, it does seem that way. Quidditch for the Tranquility, flying lessons for all.

[ And James will solemnly shake in return because it is important that they both understand the solemn nature of this agreement. ]

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