[a few dozen feet away, something explodes. throws smoke and large-- if largely harmless pieces of metal out across the beach. janus looks up sharply. suddenly, they're on their feet, upright, staring out like an arrow poised for flight, light on their feet despite their waterlogged clothes. but they don't go anywhere.

and then just as abruptly, they switch tracks back to matthew, as suddenly as a cat shifts attention. they help the dream child up to his feet. janus is stronger than they look for sure, better-than-human strength rooted in their skinny joseph 'such a cokehead' kavinsky frame.] I have seen many women here, [they say, after a moment. blinking clear droplets off their eyelashes.] I saw no dead or injured near you, so she might be here somewhere.

What does she look like? [janus reaches up to wring some of the water out of their hair.] I could take you up and we could look for her. If your constitution can handle that.