[ that's fine. they shouldn't linger here too long just in case it reforms again, but they can afford this one little moment. she wraps her arms around erika in turn, tightly, giving her a little squeeze. ]

It's just mad 'cause you totally kicked its butt, so it's pulling out all the cheap tricks.

[ she snakes her hand up to stroke erika's hair. ]

'Cause you know what? You did it. You beat it.