Leah nodded her agreement. The Americana Inn was situated as close to the halfway point between Madison Square and Grand Central and as secure as they were going to get. This was the room she'd had her breakdown in, too, which made her want to suggest they at least move to a different room, but she doubted it would make much of a difference. Hotel rooms had the same general layout. This room would serve for the purpose they had in mind. It was actually kind of funny, in a way, considering what seedy hotel rooms were formerly used for. That was the furthest thing from Leah's mind. No, this locale was perfect for discussing topics of rebellion.
There were some days when she vehemently wanted Evan to meet his maker. In truth, she really didn't, just as she didn't want anyone else to die. The obvious exception being the higher authorities who sent them out on life-threatening missions. "If I really wanted you dead, I could do it in so many ways. Shove you off a roof, slice your head off, poison you..." A smug smirk. "Good thing I can tolerate you." It neither confirmed nor denied what he'd said about it being a mistake trusting her. Maybe she would investigate the neighboring buildings, see what there was to take. Then again, maybe she wouldn't.
"Kudos to whoever did teach her that, then." It would've been all the better for many people if Leah had accepted the position as a self-defense instructor, rather than an instructor of yoga. The temper flared too easily, though. No, she'd needed the serenity that yoga brought. It helped her focus when things were overwhelming, especially these days. Being able to punch someone's lights out was a good thing, but without a sense of control the skill was useless.
Evan's form of praise was met with a nod and a blank expression. Indifference had taken root, as it always did when she had to recount bits and pieces of that December four years ago. As a defense mechanism, it was her second favorite method, preferable when she didn't have the energy for the first method. The last person Leah had ever expected to share this story with was Evan. In another life, perhaps they could've been friends, but she wasn't going to dwell on things that would never be. "Agreed," was her only response to what was being said here not leaving this room.
Her attention had gone back to the window, allowing them both a moment of peace to collect themselves. "Not for long," she echoed softly. She glanced at him, managing a small smirk at his joke about wanting her to be the attacking guard dog.
Leah listened as he explained the situation, how his younger siblings seemed to take for granted the effort Evan was putting into keeping them alive. For that, she didn't envy him, but she understood the unavoidable family devotion; sacrificing of himself to keep his remaining family alive. "When you put it that way, your brother and sister sound ungrateful for all you've done for them," she commented bluntly. If that angered him, so be it. Didn't make it any less true.
"Stick to English or I might change my mind." Leah wasn't so callous as to go blabbing that bit of information to people she hated, and she hoped she didn't have to explain that to Evan, but it was odd... having him thank her like that and wholeheartedly meaning it. She didn't know how to react to that.
Nodding, she ground the remaining bit of her cigarette on the window frame and tossed it out into the street, exhaling one last breath of smoke. "Yeah, I'll ask him."
"I still think a trip into the sewers sounds like fun. I'm looking forward to it, if only to see the look on your face when you see all the filth that's down there." She gave a little grin, then straightened up from the wall. "So are we done chit-chatting now? I'd like to get back where it's warm."