"I was broke," Maddy told him. "Broke and hungry and trying to scrape by. The Cirque was a lifesaver."
"If she murders you, I will be quite cross, so let's just hope it never comes to that," she replied. "I'll make sure to come round and drag you off for drinks every so often." She held the almost-empty bottle up. "Now there's a sad sight."
"Well I'm no Susan Boyle, but I'm not William Hung either," she said, shrugging. "And that'd be great."
Maddy nodded. "I could've gone full-on criminal, if I'd...well, if I'd put my mind to it," she replied, snorting. "Think about how vastly normal humans outnumber people like us. And they're the easiest to ensnare. But I didn't want to build my dream on a lie." She shrugged again. "Still. That path led me here, and I wouldn't change it."
She took one final drink, offering him the last of the bottle if he wanted it. One arm wrapped around him in a half-hug, and she squeezed him once. "And with that, I think my bed is calling," she sighed. "Unfortunately, the night is only so long."