Emma’s blood is still boiling after seeing Cody and she’s gone down a spiral of bitter thoughts when they’re cut off by a nudge, causing Emma to jump slightly, thoroughly pulled from an internal rant at the sight of a familiar face. “Jesus, Wolf,” she laughs, rubbing the back of her neck, “gave me a heart attack.” In her thoughts, she’d been thinking about how hard a horse’s kick was and if Cody could maybe cross paths with one. The distraction is probably for the best, she thinks as she takes a sip of her beer and nods at him, “did you just get out?” His presence on the Southside and in Lockwood overall was hard to miss but last she heard, he’d gotten locked up for stealing someone’s card game. Before she can say anything else, Wolf is gone but the tell-tale sign of chaos that erupts is enough to pull her attention, brows raised as he emerges with a smile. Emma gives him a bemused look, glancing back at her drink and shrugging yes at the offer. She downs the rest of her beer, welcoming the way it helps wear the edge off the day. “Me? I’m great,” she says with a nod, almost as if to convince herself. She wouldn’t let thoughts of her ex ruin her night too. “If you couldn’t tell by the whole drinking alone on a Wednesday,” she adds, with a self-aware, slightly self-deprecating laugh. “Vi is amazing!” A genuine smile spreads across her face, “she’s eight now and not quite as tall but getting there. I bet she’ll be taller actually.” Emma’s always hard pressed to not draw out her phone and show just how great her daughter is. Instead, she gestures at the seat beside her and then back at him, “seems like prison didn’t change you much, Cross,” said as she taps the cash with an amused expression.
Wolf laughs, waving his hands to gesture to himself now that he is finally back in the flesh to terrorize and adore his usual friendships. “Just today. Great, isn’t it? Five years goes by kind of fast when you think about it.” he’s jovial and excited just to be there, feeling the fresh air and life even if Neon Boots is stuffy with business this evening. His frosted eyes move to her drink and then to the clock, as if it will indicate the day of the week but Wolf laughs again. “Well, you’re not drinking alone anymore.” he declares, joining the seat beside her at the bar and waiting patiently for their turn to be served. He’s giving an interested smile as she speaks about Vi. “She was just three when I got locked up, right? I’m gonna have to come over to say hi properly. Is everyone keeping good?” Then Wolf remembers the news and he gently touches Emma’s shoulder. “I heard about Jason. I’m sorry, but I know it won’t be long until we will be hanging the bastard up in a Blood Eagle to show everyone to leave us alone.” Wolf states passionately. Some may call him a fantasist until they realize he has potential to make the dreams a reality, even the sordid and strange ones. He taps the cash as soon as she does and laughs. “What you mean? He dropped it.” he chuckles, finally placing their order and then quickly getting rid of the money that’s not his. “You think those places are built for people to change in, anyways? If I reform, half of them would be out of a job. I’m technically...doing the community a service.”