"Well," Runner said, rubbing his palms against the still wet legs of his jeans, "Thanks for the help, I guess. I'll be on my way now."
With that, he turned around, sliding his sleeves back up to his wrists as he walked towards the tree line about 00 meters past the beach.
"Do you even know where you're going?" Tessa asked without thinking, pulling off her face mask and finally dismissing all of her dragon features. Now she just looked like a heavily armed girl of 18.
(I'm making her just a little bit younger for this rp)
(He'll still be 17)
He looked at her from over his left shoulder, shrugging with his right without breaking stride. "I never do. I just kinda….walk."
"That's lonely," she said, still speaking without thinking over her words. She didn't even know why she was still talking to this kid. She should head back to New York.
Once again, all he could do was shrug. "Once upon a time, it was," he admitted, deciding to stop and turn around to look at her. "It stopped about 8 years ago."
Tessa pursed her lips, then shrugged and pulled out a portal gem. "Welp, alrighty then. See you never, I suppose."
He squinted his eyes at Tessa, frowning. "Hey," he called over to her. "Why do you ask?"
Tessa paused in slight surprise. "No reason, really. I guess I've just been a loner for a while as well, so I have an idea of how lonely it can be."
She's right, you know, passed through his head, and he had no pride to deny this fact. "Where are you heading to, then?" He had to admit, this girl intrigued him.
She twirled the gem around her fingers expertly, as if she's done street magic before–sleight of hand and whatnot. "Good ol' New York City."
"Mind if I tag along?" he asked, fully expecting a wholehearted 'no,' and maybe even a few abusive words along with it.
Tessa narrowed her eyes slightly, thinking it over carefully. If he went with her, she'd feel obligated to watch over him. Then again, if she refused, then she'd eventually feel bad and wonder if he got hurt somehow. He seemed capable enough, but he was also stubborn. That doesn't always mix well. "If you manage to keep yourself alive without my help and stay out of my way if I'm busy with something."
He nodded, a few drops of water flying from his hair. "Seems fair enough. Deal."
"Good." She flicked her wrist, and the gem shattered against a fallen tree trunk. She dramatically swept an arm towards the portal. "After you."
He followed her instruction, ducking down so his head wouldn't get chopped off by the edge of the portal. "Thanks….I guess?"
(Is this gonna involve her mafia side?)
(A little bit, yeah, but not too much. She's almost done with her personal mission at this point)
When he walked through, Tessa trailed after him. They emerged in a relatively nice living room with plenty of comforts to go around. Fluffy pillows and blankets, cushiony sofa and armchairs, a large TV, a desk with music equipment, and some other random things lying about.
"Comfy place," he admitted, suddenly feeling slightly self conscious about the fact he was soaking wet still.
She lazily pointed to a bathroom. "Feel free to shower. I'll get you some clothes."
He gave her a thankful half-smile, probably the best she'd get out of him at the moment. "Thanks."
Runner walked over to the bathroom door and opened it just enough to slip inside.
Tessa changed out of her precious outfit, opting for a more casual gettup with a loose tank top and pajama shirts. She dug through her wardrobe until she found some men's sweatpants and t-shirt. She knocked on the bathroom door. "I got some clothes for you."
The shower was blasting at this point, so it would be hard for anyone to talk over it. She could barely hear the sound of him talking to himself over it.
She sighed and covered her eyes as she walked in. She set the clothes on the counter and headed back out.
He stopped his rambling to call, "Thanks!" before she walked out. About 15 minutes later, he walked out, his damp hair covering his eyes slightly. He seemed awkward in the new clothing, like he'd never wore anything like it.
"Don't ask where I got the clothes. Its better for me that way," she said from where she sat cross-legged on the sofa, eyes hooded slightly as she concentrated on a paper on her lap that she was scribbling on.
"I don't like them," he admitted, parting his air to the right to keep it out of his eyes. "I don't know why. I just don't."