A/N: Same continuity as the drabbles before, so after Thorne sees Cress for the first time on the walkaway. I hope you like it.
Thorne looked through the newest Men's Health magazine, finally landing on the travel section. It was the only section in this magazine worth reading anyway. He had a subscription for a few online travel magazines and blogs, but to pass the time in-between flights, Men's Health was adequate. It's not as if he cared to pay for their newest diet plans or exercises.
He looked through the article, debating if the cardboard box a rocket scientist developed as a sleeping aid for travelers was worth buying (the author settled on an unsatisfactory "maybe" but Thorne was convinced it was a waste of money and crucial luggage space) when he overheard the vendor complaining about the crossword he was attempting to solve.
"Guiseppe Verdi work based on a Victor Hugo play? How am I supposed to know that? Who would actually know shit like this?" He grumbled, switching to another row.
Not someone for crosswords himself, Thorne had to agree. He knew people who brought all kind of riddle and crossword paperbacks with them to pass the time during a flight. Thorne didn't get it, especially if no prizes were involved. He either kept productive during a flight or he enjoyed a movie or some mindless games on his phone (his new favorite was Robot Resistance). He turned to resume his reading when a small voice at the counter caught his attention.
"Rigoletto."
It was the woman from the walkaway with the same suitcase. He hadn't pegged her as a foreigner but apparently she didn't speak English. The vendor seemed to be just as surprised as Thorne. "Excuse me?"
She cleared her throat. "The word you're looking for."She pointed to the crossword, speaking in fluent English."'Guiseppe Verdi's work based on a Victor Hugo play'? It's Rigoletto." She looked mildly uncomfortable, as if she was not used drawing attention to herself. If Thorne had known the answer, he would have proclaimed it loudly for the whole shop to hear.
Though now he was glad that no one but him knew that he thought of 'Rigoletto' as the Italian equivalent of "Pardon me."
The woman helped the vendor with the spelling and he seemed pleased when it fit the row perfectly.
Thorne decided to buy the magazine after all and joined the two at the counter, waiting until she paid for her own magazines (a Glamour and the New York Times - an odd mix in Thorne's opinion but who was he to judge?).
"Impressive." He leaned over slightly so as not to startle her, but she had apparently not expected anyone to talk to her. She gave a sudden squeal that Thorne gentlemanly ignored. "How does one know such a thing?"
She still looked flustered as she grabbed her magazines and suitcase. "I just like opera," she told him with a shrug. She said good-bye to the vendor who, as Thorne could see now, had still much to do until he solved the whole crossword and didn't look too happy that his lifeline was already leaving.
But she did give Thorne a small smile too before she left.