"I like magical theory," he protests. "It's not its fault we haven't managed to dig deep enough to answer the really interesting questions yet." He takes the drink, though.
"Why don't you wait to obscure the dartboard until it's time to pull out the trick shots?" he suggests drily.
"I think the soap and bromide in the beer will do it... Oh, the Three Broomsticks went through a few fads the first few years after Rosmerta took over. The mexican food lasted longer than her phở craze, I'm glad to say." Pause. "That's rice-noodle soup in beef broth with things in. Vietnamese. People enjoyed the mexican as a change of pace, but she lost custom over that one."
"You have three customers waiting, you obsequious and distractible little toad," Severus says amiably. "And if you don't want your black knight to wear out his hand or drown his aim or get bored and leave before your little game begins, you'd be well advised to start moving." Once Alf has glared at him again and shuffled off, he turns to Rus, bright-eyed and perky,* and comments brightly, "He's really going to want them to bet against me."
Covering a laugh with his hands, he manages, "Oh, I suppose, but it'll be your whole Christmas present, mind!"
* In a Wednesday Addams sort of way. (weeps) Well, I guess that'll solve the problem of wearing red and white after Labor Day... It's been a very nice fall! This bodes badly for the planet. n,n;; VERY bad kitty. (glares at) Have you seen this movie, btw? I've watched it now. Is um. Is. Is. They promised me a feel-good ending to make up for the main body. THEY LIED. And it has a TV show in its second season. D: