“ — It’s a great community— I love it! Black isn’t a very efficient colour. Your AC bill must be crazy during summer. That’s sad to hear— I’m sorry people are treating you like that.

                                  “ — I understand.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were flirting with me, and not just playing to a customer.” He smirked. “Well, I should go. See you once I get cleaned up unless you happen to follow me home.”

Theus frowns, because he doesn’t understand how people can think that of editing.

                               “ — You edit books— what’s unorthodox about that? It’s not a 9 to 5 job, but it’s not unusual. I’m just glad for you that you like it.

                               ” — You want children?

“Luck? Maybe. Or at least an incentive to keep winnning night after night.” Captain Bordeaux took another sip of his coffee as he saved the image. Melanie was being particularly cheeky today. “And you know me, I enjoy to utilize all options when I wish to achieve a goal of mine.”

                                “ — Mystery— like Agatha Christie? If you like what you’re doing, that’s all that matters, don’t you think?

Prometheus doesn’t know how far he is from the actual subject, and he’s not remotely close to making a connection either.

                                ” — I hope to have kids one day, but it’s hard for me to imagine having them in Cape Covaire. I love the people here, but I’d feel guilty bringing a child to this world.

                                  “ — What’s your favourite genre? I’m curious - if you don’t me asking - but when you edit a book, do you really enjoy the story, or has it become so mechanical for you, that you don’t?

Theus doesn’t see the change in her gaze— romance novels aren’t really like real romance anyway. It’s usually more dramatic, and too perfect on the other end.

                                  “ — First, and last mostly. I leave teens, and adults to others. And yes— they’re all very cute. There’s something magical about them.

    “Uh-uh. Melanie, you’re not in the condition to be saying hey to anyone except for your bed.” She’d send a text to Effy to let her know where she’d gone. After all, Effy was meeting with someone and she didn’t want this to put a damper on anything. “See. You’re one of those friends you can’t take anywhere.” Sarah laughed before pulling one of Melanie’s arms over her shoulder and heading towards the exit. “C’mon. There are tons of taxis out front.”

Melanie doesn’t resist when Sarah takes her arms if anything whining a little since Sarah is taking her away from the fun. “ICan I at least say hi to Opal? So she doesn’t try to eat ankles.” She grins, missing her orange tabby already. “Hey!! I am very take-able.” 

“And yet everyone once in a while you see families around her.” He was quiet for a moment before he shrugged his shoulders. “I also think things have started to quiet down since slavery was abolished, I don’t think I see quite as much blood or sex on the streets.” He pointed out with a chuckle. “I don’t know much about what husbands are meant to do, like I said I don’t really know anything about that sort of life.” He snorted and shook his head. “Love, right. As if that has any place in Covaire.” 

“Families can survive, I mean I'm living, and my parents died because of disease, not because of hunters or anything weird.” She tries to justified, thinking of her smiling mother in her deathbed. “I guess thing changes when there only people to pay and not people to own anymore. It always felt odd, paying to have slave sometime is the same as paying for a house. But the house doesn't eat.” Maybe her metaphor could work better if she used maintenance, but Melanie isn’t sure in her ability to even pronounce the word correctly at the moment. “Maybe not, life here is hard. But people find it...so maybe we are doing something wrong.”

Effy smiled and shook, a soft laugh slipping past her lips. “Keep going like that Melanie and you’ll make me blush.” She teased, keeping her arm around the brunette as she walked with her. “Now am I taking you back to my place for some sleep or would you prefer to go home?” She wasn’t sure she was keen on leaving Melanie alone for the evening, but if she wanted to go home she would just stay with her there. 

“Don’t you need blood for that?” Melanie sincerely asks, trying to move along with Effy. She finds it easier if she tried to match her step with the blonde, follow the rhythm instead of noticing the wavering floor. Though floor shouldn’t waver, to begin with. “ I can go home with you, dunno if I can’t remember how to use the keys. Maybe you remember?” The jeweller is torn between staying a little longer with Effy and wanting to cuddle with Opal.

                                  “ — What kind of work do you edit? Videos, or books?

They’re so many things someone could edit— he’s curious to know which she does. It seems like an interesting field to work in.

                                  “ — I’m a nurse. I work at the Nursing Home, not to far from the hospital, but I also do house calls for children.

He’s more than a regular nurse, but he doesn’t like to talk about all the training he has, because it feels like bragging.

     “TEN?!” No, more than ten. She’d stopped counting at ten. “Damn. RIP your liver.” She knew Melanie probably didn’t care right now… but she was going to feel that in the morning. Sarah was sure of it. She laughed and shook her head. “Maybe I should just talk to Effy and take you home. There’s a line between drinking for fun, and being THAT drunk girl at a party.” 

“It’s okay, I wasn’t using much.”She jokes, grinning a little at her own joke. “I want to say hello to Effy, I miss her pretty.” Melanie lazily opens her eyes. “ I’m not that drunk, it's only the floor doesn’t cooperate anymore, which is annoying.”

                                  “ — I understand. It’s so dangerous to lose track of time at this hour.

Their food arrives quickly enough, and Theus takes both of their orders in his hands. Since they’re going the same way, he’s happy to hold her things until they reach her place. He’ll continue with his bag on his own, until he eats home afterwards.

                                  “ — Is your work demanding?

“Sort of, I am an editor at home. Can get tedious.” She smiles, the lie easily leaving her lips. she’s too used to it at this point. And there was no need to actually inform of her job, no matter how handsome he was.  “How about you? What do you do?”