[hider=Kaitlyn makes poor life choices]The briefing concluded on as positive a note as if could have. Kaitlyn perked back to attention once the Rear Admiral took the stage- literally, it seems- and she was rather relieved that some [I]mature,[/I] level head had some part in this mission. Although for an admiral to step in... Things were going bad.

Things went bad.

[color=0072bc][I]You should have done something.[/I][/color]

Kaitlyn frowned, setting Hannie down and getting up.

[color=0072bc]"Come along. I need to talk to some people, but Nil can keep you company until I'm back. I think I saw her here somewhere..."[/color]

She did see her, she spotted her earlier conversing with someone who appeared to be experiencing increasing levels of discomfort. She could relate.

[color=0072bc][I]What If he gets you killed? What if he gets Hannie killed? Or Nil?[/I][/color]

She frowned. Myron's twisted smile flashed back in her mind. Noel standing beside him, oblivious, incompetent.

Either one of them could lead to their ultimate demise.

Her breathing picked up, and she zeroed in on Nil. She had to stop herself from rushing over, digging out some chocolates, and offering some to Hannie.

[color=0072bc][I]Don't think about it. Just don't think about it. We'll be okay.[/I][/color]

Hannie points the way she's looking - she was already watching Nil, half because she's a thoroughly fascinating creature, and half because she's manifested her Arm.
She doesn't often stop to really wonder how other people are doing. She's been doing it for Nil.

[color=0072bc]"Thank you."[/color]

She smiled and gave her shoulder a squeeze, then made her approach. 

Almost immidiately, she could read the situation. The man Nil was talking too looked less than enthusiastic - she pitied him, really.

She eye'd up the staffs, assessing them at a quick glance. She hadn't seen her NA manifested before the briefing, and she could swear she caught [I]one[/I] of them earlier. Does that thing self-replicate?

She frowned. Noble Arms never cease to induce unease in her.

[color=0072bc]"Hey Nil."[/color]

She smiled, giving the departing man a sidelong glance. At least he made it out alive. 

[color=0072bc]"What did you think of the briefing?"[/color]

She'll honestly be surprised if she'd paid any attention at all to it, but she had to ask. Maybe she was wrong?

Nil slouched into her seat when the man left in a hurry, withdrawing the Noble Arm copy and resting her head on Stang, tilted left, did she do something wrong there? Did he not want to see her Noble Arm, was he disappointed? Nil could not get a read on him.

Before she could recollect herself and put her earmuffs on she heard someone call for her, it was... Kaitlyn, asking about the briefing?
[color=8F00FF]"Oh? Did not listen."[/color]

Hannie does the cartoon trick where she appears by leaning out from behind Kaitlyn. Unlike the cartoons, there's no third person to pop out from behind her just now. She does a little wave.

Kaitlyn sighs.

[color=0072bc][I]Of course she didn't.[/I][/color] 

She pats Hannie's head, mussing up her hair a little. Silly girl ~

[color=0072bc]"I have an important job for you. Only you can do it."[/color] She looks at her, very serious. Perhaps too serious. Should she tone it down?[color=0072bc]"Can I count on you, Nil?"[/color]

Initially Nil didn't see Hannie, at least until Kaitlyn started patting her head, the little girl was doing well it seems, good to know.

[color=8F00FF]"Yes, I'm ready."[/color] she replied to Kaitlyn's question with sudden readiness, she was giving her orders with the face and voice as well, Nil's response was almost automatic, if she learnt something from training and combat it was to not doze off when being given orders directly.

One second later and she already became less tense, wait, Kaitlyn wasn't an officer, [i]right[/i]?

[color=0072bc]"I need you to look after Hannie."[/color] She nudged the little one forward, smiling gently down at her. [color=0072bc]"All I ask is that you don't get into too much trouble. If you need to buy anything-"[/color] Such as candy, she presumed [color=0072bc]"-This should cover a [I] reasonable [/I] amount."[/color]

Having visited a TM earlier, she withdrew a modest amount of money. Not the amount you give somebody just-incase-you-die. 

She reaches out for Nil's hand, and placed the money into it, looking into the girl's eyes earnestly.

[color=0072bc][b]"Share."[/b][/color]

Nil was a bit uncertain about this order, [i]looking after someone[/i], that was not something she did often if at all, especially not in this manner, but why not try?
[color=8F00FF]"Right."[/color]

Nil had no clue why Kaitlyn chose to give Hannie's custody to her, does this little girl not have anyone looking over her? How did she even get to Lingayen? And especially, how many sweets can these money buy? Time to find out.

And so the Hannie changes hands. Two steps forward, turn around, look back at Kaitlyn as if they're now a world apart. Well. Being with Nil - being [i]allegedly[/i] in Nil's charge - is sort of a different world. What happens if she knows what money is this time?

She glances at Nil's cash haul, then back to Kaitlyn. She nods faintly.
[color=89f5ff]"I'll- uh- stay out of trouble."[/color]
Back to Nil. Maybe they won't be going straight to a food vendor?

Despite her concerns, she manages a laugh.

[color=0072bc]"I know [I]you[/I] will."[/color] Hannie doesn't get into trouble so far as Kaity's seen. She doesn't... Do much at all, actually.

A little concerning.

[color=0072bc]"Now, I'll be back before the day's over. Go snack, socialize, whatever. Just stay in the area. If you need me, for whatever reason,"[/color] she looked between the two. [color=0072bc]"Find the nearest soldier and tell them you need Private Kaitlyn Price. I'll come as soon as I can."[/color]

Her eyes lingered on Hannie. Was she really doing this? Leaving the fate of a child in the hands of... Nil?

She looked around.

Nothing but strangers. And she didn't really think Miss Lei would appreciate Kaity dumping Hannie on her. 

[color=0072bc]"Is there anything else you need before I go? Anything at all- besides candy or more cash."[/color]

[color=8F00FF]"Understood."[/color] though [i]in the area[/i] wasn't very specific, were they meant to stay here in the briefing room or at least go back here? Maybe they could use a radio, that's how it's done during missions. Well, she was confident they would meet Kaitlyn before they were sent to, well, [i]the sea[/i], Nil almost shuddered.

That's when Nil glanced over to her left, realising Stang was still there, it had been floating uselessly for this while conversation, Nil withdrew her Noble Arm when she saw it.

[color=89f5ff]"Um. I can't think of anything."[/color]
Is Hannie's trained response to "do you need anything," and thinking about whether she actually wants help comes after. Getting it usually wasn't worth the trouble at home.

What could she use? A leash? A second caretaker? Yeah, probably nothing. She nods again, stuffing her hands in her coat pockets.

Kaitlyn wait a moment, just Incasd they speak up. Hannie's response was a little too fast... But she didn't want to bother her over that.

[color=0072bc]"Alright."[/color] She nodded, backing away. [color=0072bc]"Remember. Share."[/color]

She gave Nil one more, meaningful look, then turned away, glancing Miss Lei's way briefly. 

God help her if those two get into trouble.[/hider]