Niko ended that beat late, nearly jumping at the sudden appearance of the kid breaking into the closest thing he had to a zen zone. Niko's fingers recovered automatically, transitioning into free improv. It wasn't uncommon for grade schoolers to hang in the park; it still didn't keep Niko from looking at the kid with barely concealed irritation at the interruption.

"Thanks," Niko said simply (always give thanks), before promptly attempting to tune the kid out, relying on the old idea of 'if you ignore it long enough it'll go away'.