[center]Dahlia took two times the number of steps Jeff did in order to keep up. She walked as quickly as she could, noticing the efforts he took to keep by her side, and listened intently as he spoke. A gentle breeze ruffled the crumpled green bills he held out to her, and Dahlia smelled the faint scent of the Mundane money. As he raised his eyebrow, Dahlia noticed a small cut above his eyelid. She pulled her brows together questioningly and reached to gently lift his frames, ignoring the money for the moment. Her small hand lifted the sunglasses briefly above the bridge of his nose, and she caressed the swollen, purple skin with her delicate pinky finger. Dahlia's eyes, though hidden, glazed over with concern and compassion. Her instinctual nature to mend and care for took over.

Dahlia dropped Jeff's sunglasses back onto his face, wincing at her carelessness, and swiveled her head in all directions of the alley way. A small faucet dripped from one of the abandoned brick walls. She quickly walked over to it and let the water lather the tips of her right hand. Dahlia cradled her palm close to her chest and jogged back to Jeff's side. 

"Hold still. This won't hurt."

Dahlia slid four of her fingertips under Jeff's eye and rested her thumb across his cheekbone. The remaining droplets of water began to flow towards his skin and were misted over in an icy glaze. As they penetrated deep into Jeff's skin, Dahlia hoped their cold, soothing effect would reduce his pain and swelling. The gesture took only a few seconds, but Dahlia's eyes didn't steady for an instant as she manifested her powers in the vacant space. She was diligently searching for any signs of disturbance. Her hand slowly slid away from his face, and she brushed away the remaining water onto her pant's leg. 

She sighed heavily and took the money from Jeff's hand. The tiny girl stepped forward and stood on her tiptoes to wave the bills closer to his face. 

"Don't tell Asa I did that. I won't tell him you did this. We're even. Jeff, you can't... You shouldn't... I don't want you..." 

Her tone began firm, but quickly turned to concerned frustration. It had been hard enough adjusting to everyone since Asa had recruited them in Undaro. This week on the surface felt like starting over in a way. It was all so different, and Dahlia was still struggling to separate emotions from their mission. She lowered herself to normal height and looked down at the money. A low grumble ran through her stomach. She [i]was[/i] pretty hungry and eating in the Mundane restaurants was always an experience. She looked back up at Jeff and mumbled the next words rather quietly. 

"Lead on."[/center]