[quote=@Tojin]
"Hi guys! I heard someone screaming from all the way upstairs. What's going on?"
[/quote]

Moth was still terrified to be alone, and he hurried to catch up to Maria as she bounced and crinkled down the stairs.  There was a commotion ahead of them.  His head shot up, eyes wide, as the small long-eared creature screeched and launched itself over the railing onto the girl's back.  Time seemed to slow down.  In the span of a second, several things went through Moth's head.  First, he was an only child; he'd never really thought about what it would be like to have a little sister, but wondered if she would be anything like Maria.  Cute and sweet and full of candy was a good start.  Second, the small, golden-eyed Grit stirred something in him.  The thing was about to hurt her.  In the cold dark cavern of his lonely soul, a single spark flared in the black expanse and light flashed against the walls.

Moth pushed himself forward slightly, and let momentum carry him as he nearly tripped down the stairs.  He barreled into the Grit on Maria's back.  He clutched a bare shoulder with one hand, and the small creature pivoted to face him, eyes wild.  With his own face showing no sign of emotion, Moth moved in one smooth arc and slapped it as hard as he could across its cheek.

A faint echo came from somewhere in the dark upstairs as a robot started making noise.  Moth's hand slowly turned red and he came to the conclusion that he was in a lot of pain.