#orphiks

she's   immediately   searching    the   pockets   of   her   leather   jacket.    '   ain't   that   always   the   way?    '   she   grumbles,   eventually   finding   a   hot   pink   pick   in   the   inside   pocket,   holding   it   out   to   him.    '   here   ya   go!    '

          "     yes.     "     a complete and utter lack of hesitation  —  confirmation before @orphiks even completes his request.  he is not the same boy who cowered in fear in front of his father,  not the same one who would do anything and everything for even a modicum of respect or acknowledgement.  call it character development,  call it being fed the fuck up.  it's all the same to him.     "     is there any particular grievance you would like me to cite,  or is this a general you're a dick  ?  hell,  i'll go right now and do it.     "     far be it for nico di angelo to ever be considered giddy,  but this is as close as he'll get.  briefly,  he thinks to invite orpheus along with him,  then winces.  probably not the best idea.

oh, how embarrassing -- she knows precisely from where, the heel of her palm pressing up under her nose. sure enough, she feels the tell-tale warmth of blood. "o-oh! um ... y-yeah, it ... s'f-fin-ne, though --" she tries to offer a placating smile, though it's likely offset by the trickle of blood from her nose. "j-jus' ... a st - str-ress th-thing, s'f-fine!" that's debatable, but hopefully convincing enough.