Back to her room, then. That fantasy novel awaits. Her magic is steady, satisfied, now.

Good. She will read the fantasy novel until it is time for the next thing.

Foster guy! "Good afternoon, Sera. I have interviews arranged for you. Though ironically enough, Jun, the precognitive, couldn't make it here today."

"That is kind of ironic," she acknowledges.

"I've also finally convinced them to let our psychologist in. If you want to see one later. Sessions might be mandatory later depending on how you seem to be holding up, but they are not for now. Though in my experience, talking to a psychologist can't hurt."

"Um, maybe. Not--not right now, I don't think, but--maybe later. When I've had more time to, to adjust."

"Sure. Big adjustment. Let's go meet the three who could come, then?"

"Yeah, okay."

Meeting room!

One at a time it is, apparently, as a tall Hispanic woman comes in. Introductions happen. 

Samara Vasquez says, "I am surprised the police have not been treating you more harshly, to be honest. It's the sort of thing you hear tales about."

"Oh. Um, I've been--trying to be nice. And not. Tempt them to do anything."

"Perhaps they decided to uphold the values of truth, equality, and justice despite their personal biases. Or more likely, they're afraid of the political consequences."

"That--did also occur to me. Soothsayer seemed--upset, about the system that--put me with them."

"It's... A government bureaucracy. They're very good at some things and very bad at some other things. Same with university bureaucrats. The system you're about to head into is much more transparent. With magic, you're dangerous. A lot of people will be watching you, I hope you're prepared for that no matter how this meeting goes."

"If more people had been watching me before maybe my foster parents wouldn't have been able to keep doing stuff to me."

"A good thing from your perspective then. But enough about that." She smirks. "We are supposed to be seeing if we will get along. Anna-Seraphina, do you like science?"

She thinks about it. "Yes," she says after a moment.

Samara tries to assess Anna-Seraphina's level of science knowledge. She is enthusiastic, and seems to be a pretty good teacher. Though used to teaching college students.

Anna-Seraphina's level of science knowledge is above average for a fourteen-year-old girl but not extraordinarily so.

Good!

"-Ah, but if they and you choose me we may not see as much of each other as one might prefer, unless you want to help with my research. I take pride in my teaching, but good lessons take time to plan."

Shrug. "I don't really remember what it's like to want my guardians around, I was pretty little when my birth parents died."

That causes a complicated face. She can't help but feel sympathetic. Samara fights the urge to pat Sera's shoulder or something, but she also recalls why she's here.

"...Well then, perhaps we would be a decent pair if the vagaries of bureaucracy don't make that impossible."

Nod. "I should talk to the others too, though, I don't wanna--just go with you because you're nice and I don't really have higher expectations than nice."

"Well I try to treat every student I see as a responsible adult. I do believe I applied the same pattern to you. And, I would feel a bit insulted if you didn't."

Nod nod.

"That's that, then? Good afternoon, Miss Sawyer. I'll ask them to send Mr. Tower in on the way out, no need to get up."