"Oh," he says aloud. If you- think that's best? (He seems a little bit lost again.)

If you really want a garden you can have one, it's just that we only need so much food. You could grow something else, though. Or there are a few things we buy in town because it would be a lot of work to make them here, like flour and cheese.

He gives a small shrug. I- don't know?

She nods. Well, I don't think I'd do a very good job of choosing that for you, but there's no hurry. Can you think of anything else you'd like to try?

He thinks for a little, shakes his head. I- sorry, no.

That's okay. Do you want to try some new things, or would that be too much right now?

He's still while he thinks, frowning at the table top. I don't know.

All right. We can try it and find out, then.

He starts to sign an apology, stops himself. (He doesn't think Pradnakt wants an apology for this?) Turns his attention back to his food.

"Nova."

It's okay that you don't know. I'm not upset at you. I just don't want to try anything that you know won't work.

Do you want a hug?

That...makes sense. He thinks? Why waste time doing something that wouldn't work?

And he thinks about the question as well. (He's trying very hard to not just say 'yes' without actually thinking about things. )

After a moment he gives a small nod. (If this is the only time in his life someone touching him doesn't hurt, he wants these memories.)

Well. Hug, then.

"You're doing really well," she murmurs. "I know this is hard, but you're already getting better at it."

"M'trying," he says earnestly into her shoulder.

"I can tell. I'm really proud of you."

There's that warm feeling again, and happiness. (He's glad he's doing something right, but he's also, despite being somewhat confused by praise, happy that he's being told he's doing well, that someone's proud of him.)

"And you're proud of yourself, too, I can feel it. Good." Squeeze.

He's briefly confused as to why Pradnakt thinks that's good (not quite able to trust it), but he pushes it away, in favour of trying to just be happy that she thinks that, and that it seems to make her happy.

Yeah.

"Okay, you still need to eat." And so does she; she goes back to it.

He goes back to his own food, finishes what he already has, and - a little less tentatively - gets himself a little more.

You'll have to do garlic bread more often, she tells Daisy.

   Yeah, I was already thinking about that.

Nova's still for a moment. Please? he signs, managing to convey his eagerness.

Of course. I'll show you how to make it when you're done, it's very easy.

Thank you.

He goes back to finishing off his second helping.

You'll be okay doing that while I go put the roof on?

If you don't need- want me to do something?