The little twang and hum was met with more of the same gawk. Even for this place, thought Joey, this has to be kind of ridiculous!

Of course, he couldn't stand like that forever. His mouth twisted a little as he swallowed, still not entirely sold on his own safety despite the gestures of good will and music.

But...maybe it was right to try to give this...whatever-he-was a shot? Joey wasn't entirely sold on that, either, but hey. He'd been friends with a green kid who could turn into stuff like Francœur.

Joey shifted, lifting his foot and stepping over the bag that had been behind him, and backed up to the other side of the corridor, tucking his hands behind his back. If worse came to worst, he knew he had ample chance to retaliate without them, what those big, buggy eyes peering back at him.

So he stopped, stood, and stared.