She could appreciate this trait. Stepping off of the sidewalk completely, Arden glanced up at him with a small smile. “I’m new here,” she answered, jerking a thumb back down the street, “I’ve just arrived from New York. Have you ever been there?” It wasn’t a complete lie – how long she’d been in town. Well over a week could be considered recent. Her dark hues casually swept the area as she asked, “Are you alone here?” She didn’t hear any extraneous sounds, nothing that could signify the presence of another person.
“It’s already so late here,” she commented lightly, tucking a few loose curls behind her ear, “You’ll make your famiglia miss you if you return home too late.” She paused almost as if a thought just occurred to her. Then, she leant forward a bit. “But can I ask you a question, topolino?” Her tone was innocuous as her smile grew ever so slightly, “What is that in your hands? I'm curious.”