"Up and at them!" Wolfina exclaimed to herself, patting off her hands before she reached up to pull her hair into the ponytail that was a familiar spark of brown on the streets of her precious city and the terror of many a villain.

She was in better spirits than she'd ever been, at least ever since her brother had gone into his coma. But, now, there was freedom. That tiny flickering bit of hope that was growing every day since Gamma had given her the key.

"Morning, Emilio," she paused, leaning over to kiss his blank face. He didn't move, but the promise that he would soon was enough of a cheer for her. "Guess what I'm going to do this morning, hmm?"

He didn't answer, staring blankly forward as he always had since that fateful day. But, she knew he was guessing, somewhere deep inside.

"Can't figure it out, huh? I'm cooking a special meal just for all of them!" Wolfina smiled, shifting to tie on her boots. She could feel his weighted gaze on her back as she rose, heading for the door.

"And, someday, Emilio, I'm gonna make it for you."