I offer his nervous excitement a warm laugh, and I give his hair a fluff at his low bow. An irreverent gesture, as irreverent as me.

"She's a bit of a headstrong brat." I glance briefly over at J, where he's lying under the tree sipping on a can of Enetron. "But I'm sure you'll get along with her. If not at first, then soon enough once she realizes what you're there to do for her."

"And if she gives you any real trouble," I offer him a warm, if lopsided smile. "Don't hesitate to ask me to step in and talk some sense into her, okay?"