[ she offers the girl a sly smile -- and a terse whisper. ] Don't let his bluster fool you; it'll take more than this to scare him.

[ it's nearly a challenge. peggy washes sticky, pulpy orange juice off her fingers and dries them on an old rag. she has her sleeves rolled up to her elbows. ]

Safe enough. What's safer than knowing how to make a lick of fire when you're caught outside, without shelter, and nothing but the contents of your Christmas stocking?