"Then I expect we'll see you there," Daine says with a smile as she gets off the bed and scoops up Shadow. The cat doesn't look impressed by the move, but he clambers up onto her shoulders without complaint.

Sarge spins in an excited circle, then paws open the door. Daine winces a little as the latch swings into view, bashed askew by her efforts. "Sorry about your door," she says again.