Dreams of Fire

[Thalia]

The gentleman didn't look to know exactly what to make of their humour, and actually seemed inclined to ignore it until Katya joined in playfully and he had no escape from the assault. The girl was cute as a button and she had the infectious grin of the innocent, so Thalia doubted he would take the teasing nastily. "Lords" ride the metro now, huh? She sensed the lie but didn't call him out on it. An amused smile fringed the edges of her lips, curious as to why he felt the need to glitter himself up with grandiose titles - especially for the benefit of random strangers. If he was trying to be impressive he needn't have bothered, but as a game to pass the time trapped so far underground? Well, she was happy for the distraction. She chuckled lightly. "It was where we were going. To get a cup of tea," she explained off-handedly, as though both Katya and Dane were more than the briefest of acquaintances and an explanation was owed.

"Your mother is right, Kat," she grinned, but she held out her hand anyway, balanced on her knee, palm up. The cool uneasiness had lapsed again; now she only sat with her legs folded up to her chin because she was damn cold. Beneath the spatters of paint and tendrils of hair that gathered in the crooks of her elbows, her bare arms were goose-pimpled with chill. "Thanks." Though she was slightly dubious about the fact they were both being treated as children, she accepted the sweet without the fear of wolves tempting girls in red off the trusted path. The paper was shiny, but looked a sick shade in the poor lights. She uncrinkled the paper, popped the sweet in her mouth, and listened to the two's conversation about England.