Sam's face hardens as she examined the strings in your hands. A cold sort of anger underlies her words, "And if I refuse? Im quite happy keeping them, as it turns out." She goes to stand, but Dragonfly is over her in a second, their hands shoving Sam back down. They simply look over their shoulder at you as they speak, their voice still somehow light, "We dont wanna hurt her. That wouldnt.. hurt, right? Like, the other ideas might, but neat means painless?"
[The Keeper watches you for a moment. There is no sympathy for the puppetkeeper in their expression; they are rarely one to stir up such waves, but if the puppetkeeper will come and make such a mess and bring it to their Collection... well, it is only fair that they do so in return. Something softer falls over their expression, as they look over at the sparrowchild.]
It will not hurt.
I did not indicate that the other ideas would- they would simply be far less efficient, and come with a greater risk of injury to you- but this is painless.
[Chimes swell and tinkle from the front. The fox’s ears prick, and it insistently nudges the Keeper before curling up at your feet. The Keeper tilts their heads; there is a visitor. A rather unhappy one.]
Excuse me for a moment. The Collection will look after you three.
[As they skitter to the door separating the backrooms from the shop, they pull themselves up to a far more formidable height. The door creaks shut behind them, and you are left with the company of the Collection all around you, and your two companions.]
