The capes that had come to check on her and watch her were there, standing by the reinforced door. A group of children were on the other side. They wore black, with traces of gold, of silver, or rich red silk. Two wore white masks, Venetian in style, one with lipstick and a crown of radiating spikes, the other with a smile and silver decoration.

The one in the middle had black skin, her hair heavily styled with two silver ornaments at one side to help pin it in place, her eyes glowing. She was carrying tinkertech, most of it concealed. As she saw Riley, her eyes widened and her lips parted, both ever so slightly.

“Riley Davis,” one of the capes said. “If you’d step back inside and return to your seat at the end of the hallway, please?”

“Do you need food? Water? A bathroom break?” a woman in costume asked.

Riley shook her head.

“Then please step back. Tenders, no visiting today. While B—Riley Davis is here, we can’t have you back here.”

There were protests. Riley didn’t hear the particulars as she walked away, back to her spot.

Sensory organs she’d implanted into her body activated. She was aware of movement, even though her eyes couldn’t track it.

The tinker, she decided.

“Are you coming after me?” Riley asked, quiet. “It would be a very, very dumb thing to do.”

Two of the metal plates down the hallway lifted up, curious people looking in.

The cloaking effect stripped away, pixels and lights peeling away to reveal the black-skinned girl.

“Heyy,” the girl said. “Definitely not a threat, don’t worry. But could you do me a favor and be quiet? I’m not supposed to be back here.”

Riley nodded.

“Thank you. I’m Lookout, by the way.”

“We’ve talked.”

“Yep, yes. Haha. How are you?”

“Bored. Who are you here for?”

Lookout pointed.

Riley nodded, and remained sitting as Lookout approached, getting within arm’s reach as she bent down, lifting up the plate.

“Chris!”

There was no response.

“This is your daily check-in. Saying hi. You’ve got Riley here too, in case you didn’t notice.”

Riley leaned over to peer through the gap beside Lookout’s head.

No movement.

“Well, I’ll be here for a while, in case you decide you want to say something,” Lookout said.

She lowered the metal plate that served for mail and food.

Lookout sighed.

“What happened?”

“He’s sulking. He’s maybe the only person in existence who isn’t happy that we stopped the world from ending. Everyone came together, and things are pulling together. Winter’s almost over.”

“How was it?” Riley asked. “Winter.”