[ she doesn't exactly like the reminder—you're needed elsewhere. how many times has she already heard that? how many times will she hear it for the rest of her life? even this place seems to have drawn from that same pool in a twisted way, gifting her an office in the medical wing for her birthday of all things. as if that's all she was born to be.

but she doesn't address that, just leans in, grateful, for the light, and drags deeply. she does, at least, offer the second to him. ]

Just making sure. You all have more experience with this place, and there's got to be some kind of safety in numbers.

[ her voice is moderate, but the feeling behind it is one of uncertainty, blanketed in the smoke of her cigarette and the stonewall demeanor of nearly everything she says in the hopes of keeping that to herself for now. instead, she finds she is keen to dance, if only to forget a little bit of everything for the moment.

so she takes his hand, lets him lead so she might follow as always, in time for the high tempo of the current song to droop into something more moderately paced. just as well; her shoes are set to be excruciating to walk in an hour or two from now. ]