She was making good pace toward the tower: it was an easy landmark, the streets were clear, and he didn't weigh much at all. She'd humped more across the training courses or on jump-outs. She was taking in the details of it all for her own reference, lost in observing, when he distracted her with that little poke at the back of her head.

"What is it, little guy? Need someth--" She stopped to turn and look at him, then realized what was going on as his tiny fingers brushed her ponytail. "What, this? It's a hair tie."

She reached back behind her and pulled her ponytail around to the front, sliding the padded elastic off as she did so. "Here. You can take a look. Just be careful, okay? It's stretchy. If you stretch it too far and let go fast you could hurt your fingers."