Esther watched as Mike took a hit from her bowl, his manners taking her by surprise.  It was nice to peer behind the Golden Boy Image a bit, and see that he was still as human as the rest of us, despite being otherwise a High-School paragon.  She accepted it as he gave it back to her, smiling at him with a look that more shrewd than flirty, but impressed all the same.<br/><br/>As he walked back to his trash can and told his story, Esther's expression dipped between surprise and concern.  The fact that he was limping made her feel sympathetic: she hadn't noticed when he approached just how hard it was for him to get around.  But the fact that Billy had actually fought with him was something different, and she was actually shocked to hear it.  Esther knew that Billy had been involved in making a point to the Golden Boy, but had imagined that the Weird One had shown him up at his own sport, or caught him after a string of bad plays, or something more subtle.  A fist fight though.. that was a cruel message to send.  Although it had the same tone, really, as the sexual threats she and Olivia had experienced.  Billy was stronger than they were.  All of them combined.  But then again.. none of them would be here if that was all there was to this.  Esther certainly wouldn't be.<br/><br/>Esther took a hit of her bowl as well, feeling the tension in the air change flavors.  It was the opening of bonding, but bonding in response to mutual fear.  So it wasn't as awkward, but it was getting angrier.  Esther looked up to Olivia, and saw her clenched fists, the tentative step she took toward Mike that was reversed in hesitation, and felt herself sigh.  Olivia's feelings were more than buried, they were fully unresolved.  This wasn't the time for this, of course, but those two would need to have some alone time at some point.<br/><br/>"I'm not sure, but I'm guessing we'll know somehow."  Esther held the bowl out, smiling knowingly to Olivia and inclining her head to indicate the open space on the beam.  Then she turned back to Mike, looking at the expression of confusion and disbelief on his face.  She gulped a little before speaking, remembering all the times she'd worn that same expression.  Not to mention, parsing the words was difficult.<br/><br/>"I.. don't think you should take it so hard.  I mean, I feel for you, but.. If Billy really wanted to hurt you, or fuck me, or mess her up somehow," indicating Olivia, "Than he'd have done it.  But instead, he's.. offering us.. something." Her gaze darted to the others, confirming.  "Something to put on the same ground, right?  Well, that makes this is a sales-pitch, not a threat.  It's a survival instinct pitch, which is nasty.  But it's not like he's, y'know.. malicious."  She lowered her head, pulling the lighter to her bowl after Olivia had returned it.  She took a slow puff, steeling herself against what she was about to say.<br/><br/>"Besides.." she exhaled deeply, remembering the way he'd disappeared.  "I don't think Billy is quite what you'd call human."<br/><br/>That was when she heard foot-steps moving into the train-station.  Without standing, but with a start, she pulled her flashlight up to shine on the newcomer.  He'd have been able to hear them talking for a little bit.  Oh, god, she hoped it wasn't Billy.. Not after saying that, anyway!  The newcomer would find her startled, with a flashlight in one hand and a bowl of slightly charred marijuana in the other.