She watched his face really careful, and she could tell by the way it went squishy up on his forehead that he was thinking really hard. That's what happened when people thought too much or too hard or they got answers that didn't make sense in their brains, she'd discovered. Their foreheads would crinkle up. Lottie decided that it was because the brain was moving around inside their heads as it worked, so it would make those ripply kind of marks on their foreheads. Fortunately, she's never felt her brain move that hard, even though she tried to think a lot. But it looked a little painful.
She listened real close to what he had to say, because if it made his brain go all squirmy inside his head, it must be important. And it sort of answered her question, but not all of it, and the more he said, the more other questions she thought of. It was a bit confusing.
To be safe, she reached up and felt her forehead. Nope, it was all smooth, so her brain was being still. That was a relief. She was a little worried since she had so many questions that maybe her forehead had gotten wrinkly, but she was safe. She was still wondering though. Than had taken a lot of time to think about his answer, so because she wanted him to know that she understood how important it was, Lottie decided to take some time to think about her next questions.
Unfortunately, that just gave her time to think of more.
“But why, Than?” she asked, followed immediately by: “Why do they bargain? What do they even have to bargain with? Don't they have to give their coins to Charon? So why do they bargain? Why do they complain? Don't you help them when they're sick or hurt and can't get better? Why wouldn't they want that? I wouldn't want to be sick or hurt and not ever get better. And why doesn't it break your heart too? You're the best brother, don't tell anybody else, but you are, so you have a really good heart, and I don't want your heart to break, that would make me really sad, but if it would break my heart, why doesn't it break yours? Don't you think you need me to help you if it's so sad? And why don't you have say? You're Death. You're important. You should have lots of say. Why don't you? Why, Than?”