The woman smiled, and laughed mockingly. “But you are. Tell me, will you guise yourself as an adult, for the festival?”
“I’m gonna be a princess for Halloween.” Brie lowered her brow.
“What irony! You would fancy yourself and adult, and a ruler?” The woman knelt, still looming above Brie. “You are an amusing little creature.”
“I’d be a good princess!” Brie defended her choice of costume; emphasizing with a stamp of her foot. “And stop calling me ‘little;’ I’m bigger ‘dan the other kids.”
The woman leaned closer, wearing a smile that only further irritated Brie. “Come, little child; your antics have earned you a reward most treasured.” Her smiled vanished, replaced by her previous, somber expression. “I will take you as my own; nurse you under my wing, and spare you the coming end.”
