Monday's trial payment arrived ten minutes before the shopping trip, protecting my budget from romantic optimism. I moved four hundred twenty credits into a separate clothing category, leaving transport plus food untouched; Nina approved the number without suggesting that professional appearance justified debt.
Thea met us outside the first store wearing an oversized lavender shirt above fitted black trousers. Her silver necklace rested outside the collar today, holding a small glass bead containing a blue thread; Nina complimented it before asking whether the color carried artistic significance.
"It matched the cheapest glass," Thea replied, touching the bead while amusement softened her answer, "not everything survives interpretation."
"Excellent," I said, opening the store door for both women after entering first became physically awkward.
