The small, rural-accented voice came from the direction of the kitchen, and a moment later, a small boy stepped out into the lobby. Dressed in jeans and an oversized tshirt, with shaggy white-blond hair and vivid blue eyes, with a black backpack slung over one shoulder, he was an entirely unassuming ten year old. Pretty in the way that most children were, though his expression was one of severe annoyance. --He was holding a cookie in one hand.
"I swear--" In moments, he was crossing the floor, steps purposeful and more confident than his years should have allowed him to be, whip-slim figure slipping between the adults and squeezing in beside Annie. He offered her his cookie silently, making himself a part of her defense of Peter. "Grown-ups are so dumb, Annie," he said with a sigh, reaching up with his free hand to push his hair out of his face and give Nathan a disgruntled glare. "You really don't wanna upset Annie. Cause then not only're y' gonna be dealin' with stuff flyin' all over the place, but tickin' Annie off brings Mantis down, and he'll really be mean."
He tilted his head back until his hair was nearly brushing Peter's waist, and he could meet the man's eyes. "Don't worry, Peter. We got your back."