❛  one problem with your little threat,   mister——  ❜     shoulders moved in a quick shrug as if she only just realized they were strangers.   ❛  ——whatever.   if you were gonna do that,   you would’ve done it already.  ❜     cocky,    perhaps,    but while nina was very aware of her own mortality,   she had never really feared the concept of death.   so far,   that confidence had managed to keep her alive.  but this was becoming such a hassle for a little bit of fire,   and nina was beginning to regret calling out to him in the first place,   especially if it came with a lecture.   

           ❛  look, pal.   i know that.   everyone who smokes knows that.   doesn’t mean i’m gonna quit.   certainly doesn’t mean i need a lesson on addic—  ❜      trailing off as he pulled out the lighter,   she rolled her eyes in exasperation,   offering a murmured thanks around the filter as she held it again between her lips before lighting it.   one slow inhale,   one slow exhale,   and she was temporarily sated.   it dangled between her fingers as she handed the small lighter back to him,   a curious hum while she studied him for the first time,   annoyance all but dissipated.     ❛  so    —   why are you lurking around out here,    anyway ?  ❜

       _{a smirk spread across his lips; the offering of the lighter was an olive branch of sorts. her words before that point being more or less ignored. oh, he heard them, but ky’lar simply didn’t care – not really at least. not today.} 

      _{❛ oh, you know; no hotel room. no prospects for the future – a family who wants you dead. ❜ he couldn’t help, but shrug at his own words. ❛ you know, the usual stuff. ❜ of course, he doubted his family could be considered usual in any  standards, but then again? it wasn’t like he had a chart to compare things – nor did he actually want one in all reality.}