The boy was visibly alarmed by the sudden grip around his hand, protesting and attempting to squirm his way to freedom as Dawn led him towards the entrance. However, while Dawn wasn’t exactly the strongest out there, the child’s slight and scrawny build worked against him. He wouldn’t be going anywhere, so long as Dawn’s hand remained steady. “You’re welcome to call over to him if you’d like,” she smiled. “I just wanted to ask you a few questions. After that, you’re free to go. On my honor.” She rested a light hand- her free one, of course- over her heart, eyes surprisingly soft despite the circumstances. While the child’s fingers seemed to be awfully sticky, he was still a child, and London offered little kindness to the youths that wandered its streets. The least Dawn could do was try to assure the boy that she meant no harm.

Before she could take the child any further, however, one of the bar patrons had waltzed over. He was claiming that the boy, the young man, with his dirt-crusted face and tattered clothes, was his brother. He, who seemed well-fed, and who was armed to the teeth with weaponry that even Dawn couldn’t help but admire, was claiming that he had brought the child along to the bar, and was apologizing for his behavior.

While the detective was naturally composed and collected in the best of times, she couldn’t help the spark of amusement that flit across her face.

“Is that so?” Dawn looked coolly into the man’s eyes. “Well, I apologize for pulling your brother away so suddenly, sir. It’s, ah, just that I caught sight of him behind my companion earlier, and I was concerned that he might have taken something of hers without her notice. I’m sure you know how common pickpockets are, and, well, better safe than sorry, I think.” She gave a charming smile, as if trying to make up for such a frightful misunderstanding. 

“I only wanted to speak to him for a moment and ask to see what he had on him. Buy him something to eat after. For his troubles. I have to admit that I was a bit worried about how hungry your brother seemed.” At that, Dawn gave the man another glance over, then the child. She paused for a minute. Her brow creased, then settled.

“And, ah. I hope you don’t mind, sir, but I have to say that your father looks quite youthful. How old is he, if I may ask?” A gesture towards the man they had left behind at the table, still furiously scribbling away.

Dawn’s face remained the perfect picture of a friendly, if not somewhat oblivious, citizen. 

[@Joker892][@Rig][@Sir Knight]