Ronan stared at Airy's smile. He wasn't so much taken off guard as he was fascinated. He wondered how somebody so kind and genuine and seemingly pure could even exist. It almost reminded him of himself, long ago, before his father had died and so much had happened with his brother and the school. How had she managed to avoid the ills that had warped him over time? Didn't life just suck like that? Especially in a place where newcomers were mugged within ten minutes of showing up.

"I dunno," he answered ineffectually, shrugging. It sounded like a lazy answer, but it was really all that he had. "What city?"

Before she could respond, he tilted back his head and downed the rest of the coffee in one gulp. "Shit's fantastic," he grunted, crunching up the cup in his hand. "Screw the hospital, let's get more of this shit." He groped in his pockets before cussing so loudly a man passing by gave him an odd look. "My wallet, I totally forgot. It was missing even before the guys got to me."