[center][img] https://i.imgur.com/AZwlIhv.jpg[/img][/center][hr][color=coral]“Nghn....hmm?”[/color] In the short time that followed, Pepper decided sleep was much more important than food; a decision she came to regret eventually, but at the moment it seemed like a nice idea. That was why she was sprawled out over one of the benches strewn about near Moore University. As she heard a voice calling out for her, she readjusted her posture from the short nap and yawned. She rubbed her bleary eyes and noticed a few of the locals finally hustling about, before blinking away sleep.

Was that Lucas? [color=coral]“Yo,”[/color] she said with a wave to match his own. Seeing as he was on the other side of the street, she figured she’d make the first move and meet him. She dusted herself off from the bench and quickly crossed the street to stand in front of the boy. [color=coral]“Let me guess, work’s closed too? Man, this day is starting to become a real drag and not in the good way.”[/color]

If anyone overheard her words, she didn’t bother to give them the time of her eyes. They could have glared at her all they wanted but it didn’t change the fact businesses were suffering for an entire day. [color=coral]“So, whatcha you up to. You went dumpster diving again?”[/color] Pepper smirked casually with hands rested behind her head as she stretched. Lucas’ meager meal didn’t escape her gaze so of course she had to take the time to tease him about it. 

A quick look around showed it wasn’t even afternoon yet, the light of early morning still shining on their small little town. [color=coral]“Maybe if you convince me I’ll treat you to a real meal later. I know that’s not a good lunch for growing boys like yourself.”[/color] Unlike the boy, Pepper didn’t much care about the circumstances that led to her former coworker being let off from Green Bay Theater. Or rather, she wasn’t as hung up about it as Lucas probably was, but that was neither here nor there.

Another round of yawning took over and she looked around to see if anyone else was buzzing around the city. What she noticed was another boy who, much like them, seemed to have the face of nothing better to do written all over him. Peering from a distance, Pepper grinned again before she tried to nudge Lucas in his direction. [color=coral]“Hey, see that guy? Doesn’t he look new around here? Maybe he’s got something to do with the mayor’s daughter. Ain’t it just a little bit too coincidental?”[/color] By the tone of her voice it was obvious she was teasing again.

Even so, the boy was practically making himself a red target of suspicion by walking around with no destination in mind. [color=coral]“Yeah, he’s gonna get himself killed,”[/color] Pepper decided before waving at Jeremy. [color=coral]“Yo there stranger. You looking lost or just mozzying around?”[/color] She walked towards him now with only the assumption Lucas was following. Well, she might as well cause as much interest in the few short hours before the town meeting as possible. It was barely even lunch time after all, and she knew neither Lucas nor herself had anything better to do.
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[center][@Snagglepuss89], [@Rabidporcupine][/center]