[They stop once the clamor behind them fades to something a bit more distant. It's not gone, and they're far from safe, but at least they're away from the worst of it.]
[The Drifter slows at last, their abrupt halt throwing up a plume of dust and sand as they skid across the long stretch of ground. With the speeds they run at, they have to take care not to run into something, lest they end up sprawled on their front.]
[They crouch slowly, to allow the child to the ground. Their breathing is slightly rasping and heavy - the sole indication of their exhaustion.]
[Finally, they speak.]
[...sort of.]
[The companion sprite bobbing a few inches above their shoulder is little more than a spot of dark turquoise and red, looking like something that might fall between the realm of magic and technology. It chimes with the sound of glass being struck and projects a HUD, vaguely translucent and a soft pink. A line of text issues out across the hovering screen:]
no subject
[The Drifter slows at last, their abrupt halt throwing up a plume of dust and sand as they skid across the long stretch of ground. With the speeds they run at, they have to take care not to run into something, lest they end up sprawled on their front.]
[They crouch slowly, to allow the child to the ground. Their breathing is slightly rasping and heavy - the sole indication of their exhaustion.]
[Finally, they speak.]
[...sort of.]
[The companion sprite bobbing a few inches above their shoulder is little more than a spot of dark turquoise and red, looking like something that might fall between the realm of magic and technology. It chimes with the sound of glass being struck and projects a HUD, vaguely translucent and a soft pink. A line of text issues out across the hovering screen:]
unsure