[ A shrug. He doesn't dispute the point, but that wasn't what he was getting at. Still, the kid is young, clearly not a fighter. Killua agrees with him, inwardly: it was wrong to bring him here, defenseless. ]

Aren't you cold?

Older than you! [ He grins, enigmatically. It's not a secret, but it's more fun getting the kid to guess. Besides, even if Killua is only a few years older, he's had training, experience fighting and killing nearly since be was barely old enough to walk. It's different. ]

What's your name, anyway?

I'm Killua. [ He doesn't offer a handshake, but the look earns Bran a smile and a shrug, and he stops teasing. ]

I'm thirteen.

...Are you in this district too?

Yeah, that's what I was told too. It's the name of the god. Whatever that means.

I don't know a whole lot more than you do, I guess.

Yeah, I've never heard of them either. It all sounds like crap to me. Not that being disbelieving has helped me get out any faster.

[ He sighs, shaking his head, and looks back over at Bran. ]

Have you been inside the big house yet? Apparently, every district's got one. That's where we're supposed to live.

They'll give you a room. Clothes and food, too. Not that it's anything fancy.

[ He stands, putting his hands in his pockets and glancing down at Bran expectantly. ]

I'm gonna head back there. You should come with me.

So you're just gonna sit here until-- What? You freeze?

I don't think waiting it out is going to get you sent home any faster, kid.

You- What?

[ Killua's eyes widen, but the surprise doesn't last long. No wonder he'd just been sitting here, then...

He takes it in stride, turning to stand in front of Bran. There's no pity in his eyes, voice just matter-of-fact. ]

Okay, then. I'll carry you. You can't just sit out here forever.

Sure I can. I could carry muuuch further than the Hall is, even.

[ He's not bragging: it's just the plain ol' truth. ]

But if you'd rather just sit there until you're part of the scenery, it's not like I can force you. Well, I could, but I'm not gonna.

Anyway, I'm getting hungry. You coming or not?

Okay. [ That's settled, then. He crouches down in front of Bran with a small smile. ]

Do you want to go piggyback? Or would something else be more comfortable?

Okay. Hop on.

[ Killua positions himself to make it easy for Bran to grab hold of his shoulders, and as soon as the boy does so, Killua pulls him up and stands as lightly as though he weighs nothing at all. ]

You don't know which room is yours yet do you?

Don't fuss. I'm not gonna drop you.

We can look for it.

[ He pauses, not sure if Bran is going to like the question or not, but it needs to be asked. ]

So they really brought you here with no way for you to even get to your room, or anywhere else for that matter?

Wonder if they've got wheelchairs... I mean, they have TVs and stuff.

We should ask around.