"If you think it does maybe? Do you know what's happening with the doctors putting me in a family?"

"I don't, actually," she says. "I'm guessing a police officer or something will come talk to you today?"

"I don't know what to want about that. I like you you're nice and I don't really know anyone else yet but you're not old enough to be a mom and I don't think you have a husband and adoptions go to families with a mom and a dad. Or if you haven't left your mom and dad and they want to help me but I've never met them and they probably don't want a new kid."

"I'm not sure my mom's really able to take in a new kid," she shrugs. "Sorry."

"Yeah I thought so. Thinking about this makes me want to run away to a forest. I know how to make a fire and cook nuts and, and, squirrils."

"… I think it's probably easier for you, and uh, everyone, if you stay part of the system. I think if you tried to run away, they'd try to stop you – you're only, what, like maybe twelve?"

"Twelve and some."

She nods. "Yeah, I think it's probably better for you if you, you know, stay here and get educated and stuff? You don't really get schools in forests, and– there aren't really many big forests for you to go run away to, I don't think? Not here, at least."

Huff. "I know. It's just so many things change so fast."

Shrug. "They do, but it's probably better to be a part of it rather than just staying with the old – a lot of the changes are improvements."

"That depends on what you say is better. I can't grow up to help people who really need saving from the Neuroi here."

"The what?"

"The monsters I told you about. Maybe evil magic, maybe space aliens, there's so many rumors. All I saw myself is that they look creepy, fly, and shoot red light that blows things up."

"Oh right, when you were– injured." Shrug. "I don't know, I'm afraid – we don't have magical girls, we don't have Neuroi. But you should be safe for now, anyway."

"Yeah, maybe." She picks up a book. "I think I do want a dictionary and some books about technology if you can do that. Or I can ask the nurse, they want to help even if they don't actually listen."

"I think I should be able to do that," she says. "I'll try to get the dictionary for tomorrow but I'm not sure about the technology books."

"Thank you!"

She seems to decide something, and hugs Ev's arm.

Awwwh.

Ev hugs her back, smiling.

Hugs are nice. Such as this one that might indicate Grenadine is considering Ev a replacement for her brother, which could turn into a problem.

Evelyn doesn't actually have any direct knowledge of the internals of Grenadine's head! She's just hugging her because she seems like a cute and slightly lost child, so, you know, hugs are typical.

"So, did you want to get any more reading done today?"

"Sure! You don't need to stay and help to though I can make my list longer and use the dictionary tomorrow."

"If you're sure?"

"I can definitely do it."

"Ok," she says. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"See you tomorrow. Maybe I can show you better flying by then."