That much was true, the men who had hurt her could not have followed Mona into the circus, but Dia understood the girl's fearful reaction. Her work on the Midway and in the Big Top were making her familiar to the Cirque's frequent customers, but she hadn't had the chance to properly introduce herself to everyone working there. There were so many.
"May I?" Dia's fingers were very gentle when she reached for the handkerchief, using the corner wet with Mona's tears to dab away the trickle of blood. "Mugged? You were robbed?" Beneath her skin, Dia could feel her tiger's hackles rising; her shoulders tightened a little in response. Her eyes swept over the little redhead more carefully. She looked disheveled, but her clothes weren't torn, Dia didn't see any of the telltale bruises rising.
"You're safe now. I'll look after you. My name is Dia. You work at the tearoom, yes?"