"That's quite, quite nice of you to offer, but no." Elpis shook her head emphatically, wayward curls bouncing. "It's...being worked on. Or worked out. I forget the difference exactly." She paused, thoughtful. "I forget a lot of things. Usually. But not now. Do you know what that's like, to wake up with space in your thoughts? It's like getting a new room--in your head."
...prove useful in the long run...
The thoughtful expression evaporated and Elpis suddenly rapped one knuckle on Tattoo's nose, laughing. "I heard that. You don't need to help me to have me help you; I don't keep score."
Because Hope disliked relying on reimbursement; it'd be like asking for a salary.
"Oh, no no." She smiled, voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "You're my first immortal conversation in a long, long time." Pause, then: "That's the sort of thing that deserves a sticker, don't you think?"