Rocky darts further forward from his place, crouched around the corner of the dumpster as she falls. A moment later, the hand on the ground is lifted free as he gently shifts to scoop her into his arms, making a point of tucking the bag of food against her chest before he's lifting her and standing.

"I gotcha, cub." he soothes, handling her like she weighs nothing...and she doesn't, it's not just his strength. She's weirdly light in his arms, and he thinks about Mr. Lynden's lectures on magic, and the weight of a soul...

"The only place you're going is to bed. With a full belly and some clean pajamas." he assured her as he carried her out of the alley...and as he said it, the gentle and innocuous words held a heavier note, something blacker and full of blood that were not meant for her, but rather wrapped around her, a protective wall of terrible things that would shield her from all harm.

Reaching his car, Rocky deposited her in the passenger's seat and buckled her in. He then gently reached out to open the bag of food he'd given her and pulled out a hamburger, pressing it into her hand.

"I'll drive. You eat. That's your job." he informed her with a smile and a pointed finger, pretending to be stern. "You up to the task?"