Debts To Be Settled

8

A beeping noise fills the second floor of the tailor's shop. Tommy pushes away from his desk, stepping off of his chair as it goes hurtling across the room. With a bounce in his steps, he comes upon the microwave. He pops the microwave door open. He pulls out the paper towel, avoiding the hot food centered in the middle of the paper towel. He closes the microwave with one hand, and he runs the back of his fingers along the half-eaten burger to test the temperature of it. He wrinkles his nose, pulling his fingers back when the heat turns his skin pink. Tommy leans down to start blowing on the burger. As he does, he hears a voice call out from behind him, "I'm heading out, Tommy! Have a good night... oh, and you, too, Natalie!"

Tommy looks over his shoulder, watching one of his fellow tailors descend down the stairs. Nymph, sitting on the ground beside Tommy's desk, looks up from a book about sewing techniques through the ages to wave at the tailor. Although the mask she wears covers her lips, Tommy can almost imagine the friendly smile spread across Nymph's face. The tailor disappearing down the stairs waves back, much happier in their parting with Nymph than they've ever been with Tommy. The only reason is because Nymph is objectively friendlier than Tommy is, but she doesn't have to deal with the tailors and a buttload of work every day. Tommy forgives his own disinterest with socializing and criticizes Nymph in the safety of his mind.

"Today was a good day," Nymph asserts. Tommy looks away from her, back to his burger. Her words settle over him. After a relatively good morning, Tommy was able to eat good food with both Nymph and Wilbur. Even though the former is actually a vigilante and Tommy owes his life to the latter, they had some nice conversation. It was a pleasant experience, cut a little too short by the end of Tommy's break. He thought Nymph would go off with Wilbur since they seem to be developing a genuine friendship, but she came back with him to help him finish his afternoon work. Tommy thought she would take the first opportunity to run, but she hasn't and Tommy regretfully realizes that makes him feel good... less lonely, if he were self-pitying enough to admit that.

"Every day is a good fucking day for me," Tommy tells her, finally picking his burger up off the paper towel. It is obviously less good than it was when Tommy first got it from the food truck, but it is still leagues better than the meat-flavored noodles he ate every night before this one.

"I imagine it must be," Nymph hums. Tommy turns around, leaning against the fridge and microwave. He raises an eyebrow at Nymph. She seems completely honest, and Tommy fights the urge to laugh. It would be easy to say Nymph acknowledges the simplicity of working at a tailor shop, but Tommy's life is just as dangerous as a vigilante's but with none of the excitement. If he slips up, the heroes will be gunning for his head. Even if he won't be outright killed, he will be locked in a cage and forced to heal. Tommy shudders at the thought. He has to deal with that threat hanging over his head, but he can't even punch a guy every night. Truly, the world is unfair.

"Interesting book?" Tommy changes the subject, using his chin to point at the book in Nymph's hands. There is an entire shelf of them in the far corner, hidden behind clothing racks. Madeleine bought the books before Tommy officially became a tailor. She had plans to teach homeless kids how to sew in the hopes of helping decrease the homeless population and increase her own workforce. The plans fell through. The kids on the street did not take kindly to her advances, and there were several people who criticized her intentions. They accused her of resorting to child labor. Madeleine eventually gave in, shelving the books and leaving them to collect dust. Tommy has glanced over them. On particularly slow or boring days, one of the other tailors will drag one out for their amusement. On the off-chance the radio isn't playing good music, the book will be read out loud.

"Very. Not only does it talk about fascinating sewing techniques, ones I've never thought of, but it talks about foreign places. Have you ever thought about what is beyond our island?" Nymph states. She closes the book around her fingers, letting them hold her place. Tommy shoves the rest of his burger into his mouth. He feels a dull ache forming in his stomach. He isn't sure if that is from the preheated food truck burger or a consequence of eating a lot when his habits usually involve skipping meals. A mixture of both, he decides as he ignores it.