Well that was also horrifying. When was the last this kid had a bath?

"Not where you're from, maybe." Bunny shrugged. He sniffed again, thoughtful. "Honestly? Not in most places. But this is the north pole, mate, Santa's workshop."

Maybe the boy was too old, too damaged by whatever life had made his so short to have his wonder still - but that flash of hope had said otherwise. If Bunny could just remind him of what this place meant to so many children, must have meant to him once -

"Miracles happen here," he said, doing his best to draw the sick young man in. "The like of which don't happen anywhere else. Must be hard to still believe in miracles, but -"

He grinned, confident at the young man.

"You are talking to the Easter Bunny. Why not believe in two impossible things before breakfast, ey mate?"