"I'm willing to help of course," he says earnestly, "but I think I'd throw off the experiment." He leans over to Severus. "And you've known me just as long. Do you really think it's necessary to warn me?"
"Not even as a toy?" Rus having a completely different meaning for the word 'toy' than the usual. "People like me always have someone like you about to keep the peace. Or me on a leash, whichever you prefer." He shakes his head and then very nearly bites through the side of his glass trying to keep from laughing. Alf is watching, interested but not overly curious. He works in a pub after all; he's seen everything. He thinks.
Rus sips and watches Severus admiringly. His face assumes a ludicrous moue of disappointment. "Oh that is too bad," he clucks sympathetically. He glances at Alf. "About those bets? Still interested?"
*snort* He's having a difficult time keeping a straight face. He's not much of an actor, so go easy on him. :D