And while Jayati had offered for him to crash at her house (in a guest room, get your mind out of the fucking gutter) and told him he would be welcome in town, even finding someone who could teach him there probably, she also wasn't particularly surprised he hadn't taken her up on it. Even the year before she had moved to Summerview, the thought of living in such a way was laughable. It was, in fact, her first proper job, as odd as that was. So while she would certainly not mind him closer, not everyone flourished like that, under someone else's wing and indirect protection. Trying to act as if their lives are normal when they are flipped. This was actually their most mutually beneficial dynamic, and the one that allowed her to actually relax.
Jayati smirked at him, clearly unphased by his attitude and his finger. Well, every bit of him really, "Yeah, the kind that keeps on giving with the itchy scratchies you mean." Honestly, she wasn't even sure if her jabs about his rustiness or the scratches were even close to the ballpark, but the boy made an easy target and she appreciated that he rolled with the punches. "Well at least someone would." It was a lazy jab, but men made such easy targets when it came to that, and it was fun to see how he rolled with things.
The rack was hung back up and she held up her glass towards Ralph to get another before rolling her eyes and snorting at him, "And yet they come with your face and your mouth so, still marking it as a loss. Especially since you still can't play pool." Yet, here he was, and she appreciated it, really. Granted, it showed only in the way she relaxed a bit more around him the hint of fondness in the way her eyes actually crinkled a bit with her smile, but it worked. Even if she was needing to burn more steam off than usual tonight, feeling cooped up, useless and held back all at once this week.
Man, whatever he was on, she wanted some. Just for a day. "Whatever, shithead, I'm young in my family." Family. It was an easy substitute, the rebuttal coming with an eye roll even as she followed after him to whack his ass with the end of her cue lightly. Even though she moved with a quick step, it was still a broadcasted move that he could dodge if he wanted to. But the physical comeback didn't last long, her laugh lingering in the air even as she made her way back to the end of the table, using the lean over the table to take aim to get another look around the bar. Habitual. Comforting. The crack resonated around them as the balls scattered, one solid and one stripe ending up in pockets - damnit - and she moved to take another shot, "So how are you? Other than having nothing to do tonight other than getting fucked?" That being said though, her second shot didn't land any in, though the blow was cushioned by her refill arriving.
On these little outings she didn't always drink much. Jayati had a bad habit of not stopping once she got started, so she stuck to weaker drinks around people, preferring to drink at home if she was in a snit. So far she was only on her second beer, but contemplating another shot. At least it was human liqour though, not as strong as what they had back in Summerview for the most part.