[004 // Action]

[not_the_pastry]

[It's past midnight, but Éclair is awake. It's not nervousness that makes her stalk the hallways at night; rather, she's got to have something to do between scavenging missions, and she figures after that pizza mishap she'd better stay out of the kitchen for a few days

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[not_the_pastry]

[Éclair can navigate well enough through the darkness; she's got sharp vision and good ears. And she's seen enough of SPHERE HQ to be reasonably surefooted as she goes.

But when she hears footsteps she pauses, then presses herself to one wall and slips along it, stepping lightly, slowly, cautiously. She's not used to anyone else being out at this hour--and who out so late could be up to any good?]

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[not_the_pastry]

[Éclair's reflexes are fast, and she jumps back, looking around. What has she bumped into?

It takes her a moment to realize she needs to look down. To her shock, it's a child. She kneels down to put herself on eye level with him.]

Isn't it a little late to be running around alone?

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[not_the_pastry]

[That smile is unsettling to see on such a small child, but Éclair brushes it off.]

No? I bet your parents would disagree. Are they here in Ceriu too?

[And when he steps around her, she stands up, all six feet of her. Staring at him from way back there, she smiles.]

I'll walk you back to yours first, ok? A kid shouldn't wander around at night, after all.

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[not_the_pastry]

[And walk with him she does! Éclair stays a step behind him, just off to his right, as they pass through the halls.]

How long have you been here?

[She wonders why she hasn't seen this child before. Perhaps his parents had been keeping a better watch on him before tonight?]

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[not_the_pastry]

Well, at least you've got your family, right? But that's a long time to be away from home...

[She smiles reassuringly down at him.]

I bet we'll take care of this soon, though!

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[not_the_pastry]

So your parents aren't here? You've at least got someone taking care of you, right?

[Now she's worried. This kid looks even younger than Denzel and Rhyme; he can't possibly be here alone, right?

But his unexpectedly adult attitude disarms her a bit, and without thinking she acknowledges his remark.]

It probably is wishful thinking, but I'd like to try to keep everyone's spirits up.