"That seems like— and then I could always, like, try to get into organizing teams or something, if it's not the best…"

"See, that's exactly the right kind of spirit for this job. Most people just see it as something they can outgrow, not something they can improve."

Matt smiles, after a bit of a delay.

"But of course I don't wanna force you. I'm trying to find what the City can do for you and where you'll most thrive."

"Yeah," nods Matt. "I mean, I didn't have much planned, like I say."

He nods. "Well, I can find something for the both of you, for sure."

Rachel smiles and then keeps eating.

(Nom.)

And when they're done: "So, our meeting is in a few minutes, I'll see you there?"

Nod. "See you there."

Matt also nods.

Off Hollister goes, then.

And Matt sits quietly staring at the table.

Well okay then.

Rachel will sit quietly for like half a minute and then get out her phone. Then a couple of minutes later go for the meeting.

Matt follows! Seems like he might be thinking about something.

Hollister arrives ten minutes after they do, and beams. "Great, great, fantastic! Now we just wait for—"

Jayden walks in.

"Jayden, my man!" Hollister walks up to him and shakes his hand heartily.

Not much more of this left!

Woo.

Well maybe some but like she's got through a lot of it, so.

Soon Sarah arrives, too, and they all get seated. Hollister offers everyone some coffee.

Yeah, sure, Matt'd love some coffee.

Rachel's okay right now, thanks.

Everyone gets coffee and starts making their way to their seats again.

"So, I have no idea where we are on the syllabus anymore, I was thinking of going totally off the book and telling you about what to expect from your first housing assignment. I've been making calls—let it not be said Hook-up Hollister leaves his peeps hanging! I managed to land you all in a couple decent fringe buildings. ...ah, and I do have one big surprise to drop on you! Jayden, specifically." Jayden stops moving, halfway to his chair.

"Uh. Surprise?" he asks, glancing towards the door, in case he has to bolt.

"Hey, hey, be cool, it's good news," Hollister promises. "Well, half good news. See, problem is we know yousre a minor, so this is the end of the road for the orientation program for you—"

Coffee spills on the floor. "My I.D. is legit! I told you!" Jayden declares. "I'm down, I'm ready to start in the city. Just let me—"

"Your aunt confirmed your age for us."

Jayden pauses. "My auntie's dead, Hollister. That's cold," he says, narrowing his eyes.

"… Could be a copy."

"Yeah! That was back on Earth, not here. That's the upside of the echo revelation, see? She got copied here two years before you lost her, so... you didn't lose her! Department was matching your records to find some relatives, and they got a hit. She's alive, and she's ready to take you in; she'll be by later this morning to pick you up."

Jayden continues staring at Hollister. "You serious about this?"

"Sure I'm serious! Okay, okay, I did a big TV-drama reveal, mea culpa," he apologizes. "But hey—you've got family, man! That's more than most people get. What's more, I pulled some strings of my own—Department wouldn't be happy, but whatever—and found you an admittedly crappy part-time job in the same district she lives in. Just 'cause. You're all set, Jayden. You get your fresh start and you get some roots to grow on. Congrats."

And Jayden continues looking at Hollister, puzzling this out... and eventually smiling. "Well... huh."

… That's sorta sweet?

Matt blinks at the scene a little.

"Huh indeed, my boy, huh indeed," Hollister says, with an equivalent grin. "Right. Anyway, enjoy your coffee, feel free to hang around—you can learn up all you like until the Department makes you amscray with your auntie. So! Let's get this last day of training underway. I was thinking we'd... wait, where's Sarah?"

And where Sarah had been sitting at the back only her binder, coffee cup, and pencils stood abandoned, the door quietly latching shut.