#--queue in progress

"That'd be great, actually. Thanks, Black Star."

She followed the gem's gesture, stepping into the cabin and setting down the small bag containing just her night clothes and a few other essentials. It had been a long time since Connie had felt like she couldn't handle being on her own, she was usually good about having the house to herself on the occasions when it happened. But somehow, today...

At the little cat's demand for attention, the girl obligingly crouched down and held out a hand, inviting Marshmallow to step closer for some petting if desired. Even as she did, though, she glanced back up at Black Star, feeling like she owed the other an explanation.

"It's nothing major; just sometimes the house feels so empty when Mom and Dad are out of town, you know? I know they're fine, they're just travelling to see distant relatives, but..."

She paused, expression becoming questioning as Lady began her request. While the concept of being careful not to hurt or get hurt wasn't a foreign one for Angel, it was one that she was still adjusting back to. How long had it been, she half mused to herself, since she'd been encouraged to pull her punches? On the streets, doing so would have been all-but a death sentence...

This, of course, wasn't the streets; and Angel's soft smile returned as her mother (!!! that was still a new thought for her!) explained. She could definitely see what Lady meant... no offence to Dani, but Angel wouldn't quite put it past the younger girl not to do something stupid in the name of 'impressing' her.

"I understand. But I'd never let her get hurt: I promise."

She'd never forgive herself, Angel knew, if one of her new siblings got injured on her account... and on top of which, it would just be a really lousy way to repay the family for their generosity in taking her in. And while Angel was still new to the big sister deal - at least to fellow canine sisters - she was doing her best to be responsible in the role.

"Yeah, yeah. He sure knows how to stand out."

She rolled her eyes... not, Gos supposed, that she was much different: she always had been a girl who was quite capable of making a dramatic scene in her own right. Looked like the apple didn't fall far from the tree, even when that apple was adopted.

She gave a little shrug as XR dismissed a few of the bad guys just based on their nicknames. Didn't bother her, either way... and besides, he was right enough: not every villain got particularly creative with their gimmicks. Not that, she supposed, some of them had a choice in the matter.

But if he knew enough mad toymaker jesters and mutant plant people, then it wasn't like she cared enough to argue the point.

"Alright, well. Lightning Bug is Megavolt, who has electricity powers, sometimes brings inanimate technology to life, and thinks it's his life's goal to rescue lightbulbs from 'slavery to people'. His words, not mine."

What that meant he'd make of XR, well. That would be some kind of meeting, if it ever happened. Perhaps not necessarily the good kind, since Gos could well imagine the mad electrician trying to turn the robot to his cause. Not that she doubted XR, but still.

"And Niagara Falls Personified is the Liquidator. He's made entirely of water, controls whatever liquids are nearby, and always talks like a pushy salesman. Which I'd say is super annoying but, you know, that's a valid tactic."

"You, sir, are a master of deduction..."

And there was that fake British accent again, the one that she only used when gently(-ish) making fun of people. Still, the fact that XR had caught on without her needing to say anything was a point in her favour... and honestly, Vanellope was mostly just happy to settle in and enjoy the ride, no matter where he was taking her.

For a little speedster like her, there was nothing more exciting than zooming through the air, wind blowing her dark hair every which way, as they worked up to speeds that she otherwise couldn't imagine travelling. She bounced excitedly in XR's grip, twisting around to get a good look at their new bird's-eye view of the city.

"Look, see that tall spire over there?" She pointed a short way into the distance. "It's just a little past there and then waaaaay down nearer ground level. There's a row of garages, and it's the one that kind of looks like it's abandoned an' overgrown; I've got my own private entrance to it."

She leant over a little further, not because she needed to do so to give directions, but just because she could.