IT couldn't fathom what this little beast was prattling on about. For all the time IT spent replicating fear, the child psyche was still somewhat of a mystery. They had a pension for the ridiculous, the mad, the otherworldly. Half of them talked to stuffed animals and dollies for Gan's sake. For a moment, IT disregarded the outburst as nothing more than that. A childish, simple little tantrum.

Then, of course, IT hears that name.

That dead man's name. That cursed name.

IT sneered, practicing a restraint so unbecoming of itself. Instead, IT smiled, betraying the partial confusion for a moment. "---starve? Oh no, I can't have that." IT said gallantly, leaning forward to pick up the little brat by the scruff of his coat to get a better look at him. "---but why would I starve when I have such good meat here? Fresh to eat,":

@sewer-boat He'd survived ..... And been given to her as a pet he's shaking and whimpering in her arms as Georgie clung to her "t-thank you"

Whilst Dummy is hugged by crying raincoat boy, her arms are held out comically behind him, as if silently asking the universe what am I supposed to do with this?!

Considering I just got followed by a Beverly too - thanks so much for that by the way! 🥲- this might make some sort of sense for interactions there too.

Dummy in herself isn't an inherently evil force, she's just puppeteered by one. So meeting Georgie, she isn't initially going to mean him any harm. Rather, she's probably going to be insensitively fascinated by anyone who's already had run ins with Pennywise. What was that like? How did he treat you? Did he do any cool clown things, like turn into something else?

Being 'protective' is a bit of a stretch. Dummy doesn't like the idea of children being hurt, but it's one of those 'I'm going to try not to think about it unless someone really makes me think about it'. Sure, she might have that child-like curiosity in making friends with a Georgie - but doesn't have much power or capacity to refuse if she's told to drag him off or stand aside for Pennywise's dinner time.

…

Maggie couldn’t blame Sharon for not wanting to let her youngest leave the house again. It was terrible, and the whole town was on alert. But things were terrible everywhere. Not just in Derry, Went would remind her. Lately, Maggie would start drifting off, doing the dishes or having a smoke. It seemed worse lately. These kids disappearing…

So Zack was at work and Sharon had to take Bill to see Wentworth for an annual dentist appointment. Sharon had nearly canceled not being able to get their usual babysitter. But Sharon was a little hesitant to hire a teen at the moment. Maggie had volunteered. Sharon and Zack needed all the help they could get. Thank God little Georgie was found, even if not entirely well. He seemed the same little boy he’d always been, but Maggie knew he had to have nightmares. No one could come out of that unscathed.

“Georgie, what do you want to do today?” Maggie smiled to the sweet little boy, who she only ever remembered being happy and hanging on Bill whenever they were together. Her eyes behind contacts couldn’t help but glance at his missing arm. Poor dear. She promised Sharon he wouldn’t be out of her sight for a second.