The Coral Street Ward was on the opposite side of the commercial district, a twenty-minute walk through increasingly upscale neighborhoods. The industrial grit of the Forge Quarter gave way to fashionable cafes and art galleries and high-end boutiques with price tags that would make most academy students weep.
Even the people changed around us, fewer grease-stained workers and more elegantly dressed socialites and corporate types who probably spent more on lunch than we did on rent.
"I didn't expect Carmen to be the boutique shopping type," Emi said as we walked. "She always looks like she slept in her clothes."
"That's because she probably did," Skylar replied without missing a beat. "I've seen her passed out on the common room couch more than once. Pretty sure she was wearing the same outfit both times."
"Maybe she wants to impress someone?" Soomin suggested quietly before immediately looking embarrassed for speaking up.
