" Ohhh, Maru, you were so late, I was worried about you," a very tall woman in a very puffy dress called out in relief.

" ...Some scary men tried to stop me when I was coming back from the grocery store," the little demon girl said, her voice quiet and pitchy. " ... This man made them leave."

She motioned over to Henry.

He nodded.

" It's no issue. But, well, my son asked if we could see the backstage, so..."

The tall woman smiled widely, as though excited to offer the opportunity.

" Oh, of course! Any friend of Maru's is welcome here!"

There were certain words about it all that went unspoken.

... That it really was strange that he had stood up for a demon.

" Daddy, look, they have a tiger!"