Then the kid started crying, and she realised that fun probably wasn't high up on her list of reasons for being here.
Uncertainly, because it had been a very long time since she had felt any real inclination to show kindness to another person, she moved back to where Brumhilda had sat down and knelt next to her, putting a tentative arm around her shoulders.
"Hey, chica," she said, toning down her hyper tones to something remarkably close to uncharacteristic fondness. "It's okay. You're here now, and you're safe. Curt's a good guy, he'll take care of you..." She paused there, and then shook her head and some of her earlier brightness returned. "We all will!" There, that was easier: reassuring, showing Brumhilda that she was among friends, without Skeet having to offer any particular personal commitment just yet. It had been a very, very long time since she had tried that.














