38 - Amenable

 "This is ridiculous."

"Ms. Munson, please -"

"And oh, my God, if anyone calls me that one more time, I swear to God I'll - Jia! Get over here."

Jia obeyed, hurrying with a sharp series of clicks as she scuttled over on her stilettos. Amazing how quickly she had become accustomed to brisk-walking in these without breaking her ankles. Didn't mean her toes felt like they were breaking any less.

"Hello, Dolly," she said cheerily, forcing her voice to sound as sunny as possible. She was complete faking it, of course, but it seemed like the atmosphere could use a little positivity, artificial or otherwise. The look on the redhead's face was abominably irritated, and Jia knew well that that was not a good sign. It was almost time for lunch and Atlas was due back anytime now - it was a miracle that Dolly had lasted this long, honestly.

"You hear that?" the enraged woman demanded, turning around to glare at Lydia and Daniel who had followed her out of