Before you did anything else, you made sure to pull Janine aside and take her back to the shop. The demon girl had changed out of her witch costume by this point, and was now back in her human skinsuit. She had also noticeably deflated ever since you’d yelled at her. That was something you were going to correct, right here and right now.

You led her to a wooden crate, helped her onto it, and bent your knees and back until you were at eye level with her. The girl was having trouble meeting your eyes, which only made you feel even worse.

“Janine? I'm…I'm really sorry about what I said back there. I shouldn't have yelled at you.” you admitted, massaging your temple as if to alleviate an oncoming headache. “So many things have happened to me today, and it's making me feel like I'm going crazy. What I'm trying to say is-”

“I get it.” Janine interrupted, her voice low. “You lost your temper. Smokey says I have that effect on people. He also says that I'm annoying.”

You opened your mouth to reply, but Janine just talked right over you.

“And loud.” she added.

You tried to say something else, but you were interrupted yet again.

“And ‘highly disruptive’.” she put in. “Sorry for being all those things...”

She tried to lower her head, but you managed to lift her chin for her so that you could maintain eye contact.

“Hey. What you call annoying, I call…’excitable’!” you tried, giving her your most encouraging and understanding smile. “You know what we call people like you up top? Small creatures that run around, screaming their heads off and getting into trouble?”

“Annoyingly loud, highly disruptive-”

“No.” you laughed, placing a hand on her knee. “We just call them kids. Because that's what kids do. They make messes and play and run around, because that's what they're supposed to do. Because when they grow up, they have less and less chances to play around and express themselves freely.”

You released Janine's chin, and it looked like she was once again capable of holding her own head up.

“Is that why Smokey's so cranky all the time?” she asked.

You giggled, and Janine did the same.

“Probably, yeah.” you agreed with a nod. “I was a little cranky myself back there.”

Janine started nodding unconsciously before she caught herself. You just shrugged to let her know that it was okay.

“No, I deserve that. I normally don't yell at kids, and today shouldn't have been an exception.” you said, shaking your head. “If you're willing to forgive me, I'd like to start fresh. As friends.”

Janine smiled sheepishly and glanced down at your outstretched hand. Instead of taking your hand, the girl lunged at you and wrapped her arms around your shoulders.

Your body stiffened as you took a moment to register what was happening to you. But it wasn't long before you were hugging her back, a contented grin on your face.

After about a minute, she broke off the hug, and you both ended up smiling at each other.