---
Bat Bat did not leave the room immediately after saying yes. That alone told Sekhmet how seriously she had taken the task.
Usually, when Bat Bat agreed to something, she agreed with her mouth first, her curiosity second, her pride third, and only after that did responsibility arrive, panting from behind and trying to catch up. This time the order had settled differently. She stood in front of him with her hands at her sides, eyes bright but steady, as if some hidden line inside her had clicked into place.
Interesting.
Sekhmet watched her for one moment longer before speaking again.
"You will not rush her."
Bat Bat nodded at once. "I know."
"You will not make it sound like a game."
That got the smallest twitch from her expression, not because she wanted to argue, but because she understood why he had said it.
"I know," she said again, quieter this time.
"You will tell me exactly what she feels. Not what you want her to feel."
