Before that happens, Hollister shows up.

She takes some time to make sure he's alone, and then goes to see him.

"Hi."

"Hello. I don't know if I ever got your name."

She's alarmed, briefly, but recovers quickly enough. "Guess it, doesn't matter here. Denice."

"Right. Don't think I ever introduced, either, or not officially. I'm Hollister Avenue. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"So, uh, I was talking to some guys upstairs, and they were skeptical but agreed on stuff, and uh, I kinda forgot what the plan you said was to prove stuff, and also... Uh, when did you arrive?"

"Few weeks, ago."

"Soooo... you didn't go through Orientation, then?"

She goes vacant for a second - checking, making sure there's a clear path out, if she needs to bolt - and then nods, warily.

"And you—chose not to go?"

"Mmhmm." She's aiming for 'expressionless', but mostly just managing 'grim'.

"Why?"

"Don't - trust, it. Dunno what... happens, if..."

"Well they give you classes and an ID and maybe find relatives—although if you're from another world it won't happen—and, ah, how old are you?"

Don't panic don't panic if you panic you die don't panic.

"Fifteen."

"Oh."

...he closes his eyes and rubs his temples.

"Not going."

"I guessed as much.—are you Sadde's friend?"

Sigh. "Mmhmm."

"Right, right." He sighs. "This is gonna be way more complicated than I'd thought—are you sure?"

"What - happens, if?"

"If... you go through Orientation?"

"And after."

"Well... since you're underage, you actually don't go through Orientation, you get a foster family."