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True to the tiny tufted ears that graced her true self, what she took as a reference to that person was quick to have her visibly bristled. But with an audible inhale and resigned sigh, some bitter words were all she could really offer towards a situation without a solution that she was willing to accept. "It's just like a robot, isn't it, to gleefully pursue draconian retribution rather than consider the resources at hand." Again, being abstract and almost just unfair towards any sense of self she had, but. Teeth clenched and face pressed into the back of the seat for the moment, her muffled words weren't stifled by pride. "Anything. I'll do anything but go." Sobering up some, the feeling of helplessness that hung heavily in that eye could only focus on him for a moment before looking away. She'd said as much before, but perhaps never as explicitly as that.

And so, a query over her curious warning was quite the well-received distraction. "Eyes take in sights with any number of biases... emotions are very much the same, aren't they?" Mysteriously worded and playfully expressed. She'd only just started and already her enjoyment of her own lack of an explanation was more than plain. "It's rather unfair, manipulating both, but~ A need is a need. In this case... protecting you." What had started with her shrugging off the exploitation of others ended in a cold stare that reflected the seriousness in which she took her newly-shouldered responsibility. Only to rush to assure him of her intentions, lest he get the impression that she'd be harming others for his sake. Again. "It's nothing so dreadful as one might come across in a bottle or pipe, for certain. But a passing reverie, in the scheme of things~ Just how it affects any one person varies, you know? But with knowledge of the situation at hand and some concentration, one's honest feelings should sort themselves out straightaway." So very sunnily handing over the key for what might've too easily become a trap. "Dream for a while, but wake up to your true feelings. Okay?" There might've been the slightest, sly glint in her eye over that, but nothing more. Though not above flirting with cans, it seemed she'd decided to leave the recovering doll man alone about whatever said feelings were for the time being.

"That's what managers are for." Though prompt, the response was as lazy as the smile that accompanied it. "An owner doesn't have to necessarily be involved in the day-to-day drudgery. It's partly out of choice. Partly out of boredom." Both diligent and seemingly completely lacking in diligence, and not the least bit ashamed over it. "I've a little more time free, here and there, for this or that reason." No longer was she taking out her aggressions on others, beating anyone bloody, freefalling, or-- well. As much as he'd never asked for it as he had the rest, gossipy cats had been more than happy to tell him just how faithful to him she'd decided to be. And she seemed to be more than content to function within the boundaries both he and she had set for herself, with any 'regret' existing only in facetiousness. "Ah~ You've made a diligent worker out of me. Anything else you'd like, while you're at it~?" Perhaps the way she cut herself off with a soft smile and hand placed gently upon his head would keep him from getting too nervous, though. "Kidding." With an involuntary shift forward as the brakes engaged one last time, a curious eye looked back to him after confirming that they'd arrived. "All ready, then?" He'd just been through quite a bit, after all. A moment's preparation would to be expected even if he hadn't just been a little more traumatized than he had been previously.

Where there'd usually be a sense of pride stemming from any word of appreciation from his person was instead the silent reception of her chest sinking some with anxiety. It was one thing to express a complete and utter vulnerability, and another entirely to have it acknowledged. Though that fear wasn't that her trust was misplaced, not in the least. The surface of that blind loyalty had sneered at the suggestion that it could be unsettled into resembling anything like humiliation, but its depths had yet to be truly tested. Though where the edges of human emotion might lead to doubt or despair, her intentions made her an exception. It wasn't a placement of resignation for her after all, but rather, one of satisfaction in relation to him. Endlessly elated to bask in any attention he'd give her, content to be together regardless of the context. And so, while the demure quality of the quietly happy laugh and almost shy smile that followed may have seemed misplaced in regards to the depth of her emotion, it was a reaction that was genuine to the motivation of said feelings.

Though that sentimentality often belied her strength, as her eye became sharp in reception to his confirmation. Promises were something that she as well couldn't give so easily, seeing as she took it as a personal failing that he'd been left in his current state. Yet that feeling of defiance lingered still. "Whatever may happen... there is always a way out. I will find one, no matter what." Their enemies couldn't be dealt with in conventional manners. Which the both of them happened to be more than aware of, so after that bit of assurance came an exaggerated sigh to relieve her tension. And with a newly bright smile, she scooped up her ward within the blanket as she took a moment to prepare herself. "Time to dream for a while〜 Though I will wake up, I promise." She wouldn't be lost to her sweet thoughts, though he might end up decently embarrassed as a result of her efforts to be convincing. Anything for the sake of his safety, right? He mattered much more than her luggage, anyway, as while he was preciously clutched to her person, in a lazy effort the bag was awkwardly and ungracefully yanked out of the car upon her exit.

With the mottled lights above and tiled floors below, nothing immediately stood out as unusual about the small airport. Though what few people that could be seen out in the open looked to be far from reputable individuals, with shifty looks but an importance that was afforded by questionable wealth. She scuttled by them all the same. Didn't matter. She was basically the same, right? Taking leave of the strange place in which they'd met wasn't so much of an issue, though there was probably little harm in getting in a little practice. Leaving the boarding attendant with a warm vision of a shy mother with a cute 'child' was probably for the better, being that who she was carrying was far from ordinary. Just enough to have them seeing the perfectly pleasant image they wanted to see. Just enough to distract them from thinking any differently.

Opposite arm free after dropping off the luggage, he ended up held with both as she made her way to the seat. "Sitting in your own seat, or sitting with me?" Some of the usual lilt was returning to her voice. Even when caught up in an incredibly protective state, what enjoyment she could take from the situation was already obvious.

Initially, that eye of hers narrowed entirely too similarly to as if a predator sizing up her prey. Only to let up moments later, with a quietly defeated sigh. It'd be simple enough to mistake it as reaction of a weary 'mother' to her 'child,' even if it was in reality a persistently amorous type petulantly accepting that there'd be little reward in her ill-advised attempts to be suggestive towards the currently doll-bodied man. And before the question of just how she'd apparently liked her chances when proceeding to flirt with his can version could occur to anyone, she'd gracefully capitulated to her ward. But not before, if nervously, a further push into the warped reality she'd initiated. Any ill effects had yet to surface, but complacently pretending he was fine without really knowing was impossible for her. She'd already warned him, right? It wouldn't change anything. Right? The building fear of further failure galvanized her through the doubt and into the beginnings of a low level of mania. He'd shown himself to be resistant if not unknowingly immune to all different sorts of what'd be called 'feminine charm,' though perhaps at that level even he'd start to see the false visuals in the ever-increasing levels of manipulation. The hands that set out the blanket over the window seat as he'd asked and placed him there were just a little more poised than previously. Surely he hadn't been much for noticing a figure or two, with the exception of those inconviently naked strangers that nearly seemed to stalk the both of them. But maybe hers was looking a little nicer, despite his lack of an opinion over what was 'nice' in that situation. "Happy now?" Where there might've been a playful lilt just a moment previously, a strangely warm voice had surfaced instead. And it wasn't worth more than a second glance. Probably. But the glossy mouth that'd said those words? Might've started to be a little distracting. The look from that suddenly sort of pretty eye probably wasn't helping. But the faint outlines of flowers, just enough that the eye couldn't quite catch them? Appearing just a little more, here and there? In that pinkish glow around her person, even. So very distracting.

Though with heightened awareness, the figure behind those illusions stiffened and snapped to the attention at the moment she'd sensed another's approach. Already? And more than one, even? What took on the appearance of an arm extended kindly towards her 'child' was in fact an arm protectively before him, with a 'tender' expression that belied a sharp stare that expressed her intention to kill until she was able to discern the identity of their visitors.

The grip upon her sleeve was enough to tether that fantastical predator within the limitations presented by their current surroundings. Enough so that her first thought afterwords was a look backwards rather than forwards, fierce expression softening as those outstretched fingers clasped backwards to catch that tiny arm within their comfort. Foolhardy, but what was a weapon or bullet finding satisfaction in her flesh if nowhere close to his?

What met the anxious sigh that was audibly expressed as she returned to face what were considered to be interlopers only served to further disarm her. An open palm raised in greeting caught her eye first, along with what were likely inebriated though friendly faces that she struggled to place at first. "Got some company with you this year, eh?" No sooner had the question been playfully voiced had her mind finally made the connection. It was some of the men that had kindly checked in on her 'lone' figure the year previously, with some of their other buddies. Certainly the type not to be messed with, with a number of assorted scars and tattoos between the lot of them, but also of the age that likely had daughters of their own around her 'age.' Hardly to be seen as a 'relief' to most any other passengers, middle-aged fathers that happened to be involved in organized crime were something she considered to be one of the better encounters to be had in such a place.

And so what was the result of her own surprise appeared to be shyness, face flushing as she acquiesced to their tender assumptions. A subtle bow was a good start, acknowledging her 'elders' with a feminine grace even underneath the illusionary veneer that proliferated all the more in her anxiety. Perhaps the men couldn't see the flowers, but a few fanciful falsehoods would certainly be enough to satiate their curiosity. "Yes. It's only too bad that Father was too busy to make the trip with us, right?" What was likely interpreted as a doting mother's question to her child was underscored by the visible mischief in the look she shot towards the 'child' in question. Though what enjoyment she could've gotten from the group's reaction to her suggesting that she was in fact 'married' to a doctor would have to be passed up for the sake of what safety they could get. The lazy illusion of a wedding band that wasn't actually upon her hand as she turned back to them was probably convincing enough regardless. Within all of a question and subsequent motion, her lies had not only married him but had his child as well. Though the performance wasn't over just yet, as the image of a perfect if one-eyed wife and mother was not yet complete. Hands clasped together before her she bowed once more, she sealed the deal with her honeyed words. "Thank you for looking after me all this time, on behalf of my husband and child." Her well-mannered actions were likely enough in themselves. But another push further into her world of hallucinations aplenty was enough to make grown and married men blush, purely in delight from what had been presented to them. Both so pretty and demure, they felt assured in their decision to look out for her.

Enough so that they hardly noticed that eye shifting back to the child, and the corner of her mouth curling ever so slightly in the beginnings of a smug smile. Overlooking the fairytale romance she'd so easily both included him within and expressed to others, surely he'd be impressed in how easily his self-appointed partner had beguiled even grizzled gangsters.