Tash stopped as soon as the hat lady stood in front of her and grabbed her by the shoulders. Just by grabbing her by the shoulders, Rafe would be able to feel just how fragile this small child was. All things considered, she was recovering quickly though. Instead of pushing the woman aside to continue what she was looking for, one of Tash's small pale hands reached to her own shoulder and laid atop Rafe's own hand. There was a gentle, almost calming smile on the girl's face. Like everything was going to be okay.
It was Tash's natural reaction, to comfort those obviously in distress. Even then, sometimes there seemed to be an ethereal wisdom about the child that suggested she might be more than she looked. Without a word, Tash pointed to the grocieries on the sidewalk that she had dropped to go after the hat. The pale girl silently and gently took Rafe by the hand and began to lead her over to the groceries.