Despite herself, and the stupid banter, Tink let out something close to a laugh. Almost a real one, seriously, before she crossed her arms over her chest, sort of protectively, with each hand cupping the opposite elbow. “Actually, I don’t think I can afford that.” She glanced back behind her, towards the bank, the chopped-off ends of her hair swinging over her shoulder and tickling her collarbones. She bit her lip in an obvious way.
(It would appear she would have to do the thing she’d dreaded most, if she wanted to stay in her new apartment and also continue her education next semester: she’d need a job. Which meant first applying, and then being rejected, and then again, until something stuck. Ugh. Work on campus had cut it when she’d split the rent with five other girls, but she’d been living off money she’d put back, plus a few savings bonds her and Peri were both privy too, but everything was getting low. Doing nothing wouldn’t carry her forever. She hated it).
She looked back up at Meg and shrugged again, still holding herself. “Looks like you’re on your own. Sorry not sorry.” She cracked another smile, but it was thinner, less sincere. Still, for not having interacted with most anyone for the majority of the summer, she was doing an appallingly good job at acting normal– as normal as she could be.
“Ah, well, neither can I.” Not unless she wants to add to her debts and ensure she stayed under his thumb any longer than she had to. It was extortion was what it was, someone who found power in being in control of other people -- maybe because he hardly ever had control himself before he was on his own or it was all he had to sedate the general thirst. Hazel eyes followed the other’s almost disappointed, choosy gaze tot he bank -- where she wished she could put some money of her own, but the little she did keep, she kept tucked away, safe because when she was free, she’d need the money to get away. It was only tip money, because Hades could see her work statements, but for being as snarky and dry as she could and would be, she did get some good ones. Mostly from drunks who think she’s pretty. Either way, it wasn’t too much, but it would add up.
Looking away sooner than the other did, Meg’s hand -- her right -- found her hip while the other stayed lazily by her side, the arm relaxed, more relaxed than she was. “Been on my own practically all my life, not a surprise the saga continues.” Unlike Tinka, she didn’t have a close friend and his band of misfits to keep her company. She had no one, and most of the time she preferred it that way -- it made it easier and meant less hurt in the end (she was a coward). But there were times where she wished to have someone to talk to, no matter how ephemeral those times were, they were there. Just fleeting. The girl’s smile, though, was one she knew, she would ask, but she didn’t really want the darkness when she wasn’t in it at that precise moment herself, but the likelihood of Tinka telling her was also low, so she let it go and gave a nonchalant shrug before the hand on her hip fell. “Heading to the bank?” Of course she was, but at that moment the silence was uncomfortable and Meg simply had to say something. She just had nothing better.
