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That actually got to you. You forced yourself not to raise your voice in response. "<span class="mu-i">Steele,</span> I was tasked with returnin' this girl <span class="mu-i">to her parents.</span> I have done so in the best way I can. Had ah not invited those she cared about, deeply, I am not convinced she would have been brought back unharmed. In fact, 'm not sure her nor I wouldda gotten out of there free of any bleeding or infection at all."
A moment was had to collect yourself. "I need lodgin's for the children. I dunno if Bessie's has enough room t' spare with all the dented houses, but I can't just force her senpai'ly to take on so many more kids aft'r already strugglin' with their existing two. If they have t' live in tents for now, let it be. As long as they can stay here, yeah?"
Steele seemed surprised by your brief dip into iciness. He was almost impressed, if you were reading his face right. "I'm sure we can find them something."
You sighed relief and went on. "Good. Aft'r that... after that, we'll need t' find the parents. I'm not sure where Rosetta's family lives, but I need t' tell them next morning about their child. Have you any clue where they live?"
Steele adjusted his collar and stood up a bit straighter, proud. "I took it upon myself to learn of everyone's abodes when I first came here. I'll have you know they're just off Central, on South."
Ah, on the second of three streets. That's why you hadn't seen it.
...wait, did Steele just--
"Will you be telling town of this new development as well?"
Oh, he was ahead of the curve. You blinked a bit. "Y-yes, that was just what I was going to say next. I'll need you to be with me at a town meeting once we've told the parents."
"What for?"
"I haven't told the town of our agreement yet... I may as well make things official."
The man gave you an understanding nod. "I see."
The sunset had faded away now, leaving the town in a darkness broken only by the enormous array of stars above you.
Something softer was muttered underneath your breath. Steele's eyebrows raised once more.
"Is there reason for this? I feel it'd be something of a fire hazard so close to wood..."
You gave the man a weary stare.
He understood.
"I'll keep a fire extinguisher in the vicinity. Things will go accordingly, don't you worry."
Why was he flashing a finger gun at you and grinning. Surely he wasn't trying to hit on you? Maybe he thought it was a way to relate to younger people. You were too tired to properly speculate, and just gave a tired grin back.
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