Makino smiled to herself and walked towards the dock. Her most recent shipment was supposed to be in soon and she liked to make sure everything was there. She hummed a soft song and one of the deckhands waved at her. "Hey, Makino! We're unloading your shipment now. Don't worry everything's here as usual."

She nodded and said, "Everything usually is here, but I like to be safe rather than sorry."

He nodded and leaned back beside her, taking a moment to relax. She counted out the barrels and raised an eyebrow when a lid of one of the barrels was lifted slightly from the inside. She walked over and the lid quickly closed before she heard soft whispers from inside.

Makino crouched down beside the barrel and waited for the lid to lift again. Cautious eyes glanced around and the lid lifted more before Makino snatched it away. She looked inside the barrel at a yelp and saw two young girls holding onto each other. The older girl looked to be just a few years old and held the younger girl close.

Makino frowned and asked, "What are you two doing in here? Come out of there."

The older girl shook her head and cradled the younger close. She shakily said, "Not safe."

Makino held out her hand and smiled softly. "You can trust me. It's safe here, I promise. Come on out, you look hungry and need a bath."

The girl shook her head and frowned when the little girl started crying out. The older girl tried to shush her and felt tears well up in her eyes. Makino gently reached down to pick up the girls and mumbled, "Come on, you both look very hungry. I'll take you to my bar and get you two cleaned up and fed. I've got some milk I can warm up for the little one."

The girl glared at her and wiggled to be put down, being careful of her little sister. She nodded slightly and gently rocked her sister, holding her close. Makino waved at the deckhand and led the girls to the back of the bar and motioned the girl to sit down on the stool. "I'll be right back with a bottle for you sister. She can drink regular milk, can't she?"

The girl nodded slightly and Makino headed to the front of the bar when she realized the girl wasn't going to speak anymore. She looked around for a bottle and smiled slightly when she saw one. She heated up some milk and tested it on her wrist before walking back to the bathroom.

Makino crouched down and held out her arms. "Can I feed your sister so you can wash off in the shower? I'll sit right here so you won't be far from her."

The girl grumbled softly and slowly handed over her sister. "Her name is Alice. I'm Seraphina."

Makino smiled softly and held Alice in one hand before handing her the bottle. Alice calmed down and started drinking, holding onto the bottle. Seraphina turned away from Makino and peeled off her dirty clothes. Makino glanced away and Seraphina stepped into the shower, turning on the water and closing the curtain.

Makino rubbed Alice's back as she quickly drank the milk and pulled the empty bottle away to burp Alice. Alice burped easily and Makino nudged the bottle of soap towards Seraphina. "Use this. Whenever you get out, I'll wash off Alice. Don't worry, I'll be careful with her."

Seraphina grabbed the bottle of soap and looked at it curiously before starting to wash off with the rag. She rinsed off and carefully stepped out. Makino shifted Alice in her hold and held out a towel for Seraphina.

Seraphina slowly took it and wrapped up in it. Makino smiled softly and moved to sit on the edge of the tub, running some cool water from the main faucet. Seraphina watched her closely and Makino gently peeled off Alice's clothes before dipping her in the water.

Alice made a face at the water and lightly splashed it. Makino smiled softly and wrapped Alice up in a towel when she finished. Alice giggled softly and Makino stood up. "Please follow me. I should have some old clothes that should fit you, Seraphina."

Seraphina crossed her arms and folowed Makino as she carried Alice. Alice looked around curiously and started blowing spit bubbles, giggling as they popped. Makino smiled softly and laid Alice on her bed before looking through her dresser.

She pulled out an old skirt and top and held them up to Seraphina. Seraphina took them and, keeping her eyes on Makino, slowly pulled on the clothes. Makino found an old shirt and pulled it on Alice, who continued to giggle.

Makino picked Alice back up and led Seraphina to the front of the bar. "I'll get you some food. Is a sandwich okay?"

Seraphina nodded and held out her arms for Alice. Makino smiled and carefully handed Alice back to Seraphina before making two sandwiches and sitting down at a table. She had closed the bar that day for the shipment, so it was empty except the three females.

Makino slid the plate in front of Seraphina and Seraphina shifted before moving to hand Alice to Makino. Makino gently took her and Seraphina started eating. Seraphina smiled slightly at the taste and quickly finished eating.

Makino smiled and said, "Don't eat too fast or you'll get sick."

Seraphina nodded slightly and set down the half-eaten sandwich on the plate. "Why are you being so kind to us? Nobody's been this kind to us before."

Makino tilted her head and stopped bouncing Alice on her lap. "Well, you both look alone and in bad shape, so I thought I'd take care of you two. You two can both stay here. I've got a spare room in the back. I can put a bed and a little dresser in it for you two. I won't mind taking care of you two for a while."

Seraphina shifted and mumbled, "Thanks, but we could never pay you back. I don't want to be in your debt."

Makino shook her head and said, "No, you won't be in debt to me or have to pay me back. I've always wanted younger siblings, anyway. Besides, you can't take care of Alice by yourself. You're both too young."

Seraphina grumbled softly and mumbled, "I can take care of us just fine. I got us on the ship and in that barrel without anyone noticing."

Makino nodded and said, "Yes, you did, but what would you have done if someone had caught you? You have a baby with you and pirates aren't always particularly kind."

Seraphina crossed her arms and grumbled softly. Makino sighed softly and said, "Please, stay here. I can take care of you both. If you won't mind me asking, can I ask why you two were hiding in that barrel?"

Seraphina looked down and mumbled, "Our town was burned down by some pirates. Our mom just gave me some supplies and Alice and told me to run. Long story short, I ended up hiding in a barrel from some pirates and we ended up on that ship. That's all I want to share for now."

Makino nodded and mumbled, "I understand. Finish eating and then you two can go get some sleep in my room."

Seraphina rolled her eyes and quickly finished eating before taking Alice in her arms, who yawned widely. Seraphina carried Alice back to Makino's bedroom and climbed up in the bed, tucking in Alice first. She sat up for a while and softly sang a lullaby to help Alice sleep soundly. After a few minutes, Seraphina curled up beside Alice and started slowly dozing off into a heavy sleep.