Neera gasps in shock at the sudden change in scenery. The air here feels cleaner, crisper somehow. She takes a tentative breath, then another - no catch in her throat, no wheezing. Her chest feels free, unconstrained. Neera removes her mask cautiously. No smoke, no smog. Just cool, pure oxygen filling her lungs. She hasn't breathed this freely in years. Neera smiles and laughs aloud. This strange new place, wherever it is, feels like a miracle.

The people walking around are dressed unusually; in particular, anyone her age is dressed in what's presumably a school uniform wears a skirt, including all of the boys. And many of the adults wear clothing that seems like it'd be uncomfortably tight to wear, although it makes them look well put-together. Beyond this, there's notably more athletic clothing than she'd expect to see outside of a gym.

Neera blinks in surprise at the unfamiliar fashions surrounding her. The boys in skirts are especially puzzling. She glances down self-consciously at her own simple, loose-fitting salwar kameez. This place seems very different from Delhi indeed. Neera approaches a passerby cautiously. "Excuse me, can you tell me where I am?" she asks hesitantly in English, hoping they understand. She feels relief wash over her as the stranger replies cheerfully. "Thomassia, of course! New arrival?" Neera nods mutely, still trying to wrap her head around how she got here. The man smiles kindly. "Welcome! Let me show you to the immigration office." Neera follows him, marveling at how easily she can keep up when just walking used to wind her. She has a feeling she is going to like it here.

The "immigration office" is actually just the police station. A friendly officer is sitting down behind a counter, reading a book. There's little for officers to do and quite a few more of them than necessary, so they often wait around, reading or things. The man who took her to the station looks at Neera. "She has amnesia of some kind; I'm hoping that you'll help take her back to her parents. It's just a quick fingerprint scan, right?" The officer points to the scanner, and Neera touches it with her index finger. Near-instantly, it fails to find her anywhere within its database. The officer looks at her in total confusion. "You know who your gene-mom is, right?"

Neera shakes her head, bewildered. "I'm sorry, I have no idea what you mean by 'gene-mom'. My name is Neera, I'm from Delhi, India." The officer and passerby exchange confused looks. "India? Never heard of it," the officer says. "And we have no Neera in our database. Are you saying you just...appeared here?" Neera nods hesitantly. "I was walking home, then suddenly I was between these tall buildings. Everything looks so different here. The clothes, the clean air..." She trails off. The officer rubs his chin. "Hmm. Thomassia doesn't get many world-crossers. You'll have to speak to the Assembly about applying for residency." He prints out some forms. "For now, let's get you set up with the basics. Shelter, food, transportation..." Neera smiles gratefully, her initial anxiety fading. Whatever this strange new world is, the people are kind. And just breathing without struggle still feels like a miracle. Perhaps she could make a life here.

"Well, we'll want you in our database. As in, have you scan 10 fingers and add their prints to the database." He mimes touching all his fingers against the scanner, starting with a thumb, motioning for Neera to do the same. Then he smiles at her warmly. "Do you know how many days ago you were born, kid?"

Neera hesitates, then slowly presses each finger to the scanner as demonstrated. She shakes her head again at the officer's next question. "I'm sorry, I don't actually know my exact date of birth. Where I'm from, those records aren't always kept." She wracks her brain trying to remember what her parents told her. "I think...maybe the spring of 2011? I'm 11 years old."

"2011? When was that? Anyway, we'll have to find you a nucleus. Someone who can take care of you until you're grown. I'm calling someone happy to handle some more children, now. She's going to be so happy to see you." He brings out his phone, calling someone on the other end. After 10 or so minutes, a minivan arrives, with a beaming woman driving it. "Hi! I'm Parin. I want to make you part of our family. Do you want to come with me home?"

Neera looks between the smiling officer and woman cautiously. She's not sure what a "nucleus" is, but this Parin seems nice enough. Home does sound a lot better than some strange government facility. And Neera has always wished for a bigger family.

"Hello Parin, I'm Neera," she says politely. "Thank you for inviting me. Your home sounds lovely." She turns back to the officer. "Will I need to come back here to apply for residency?"

Assured that immigration will be handled later, Neera nods and steps towards the van. She's still majorly confused by this bizarre new world, but feels a spark of excitement too. However she got here, it's a fresh start - and she can breathe. Maybe this place called Thomassia is exactly where she needs to be.

"Well, you have already registered yourself with fingerprints. You won't be needing anything else."

The minivan is hugely spacious; Neera can sit any way she wants, and there's a massive amount of legroom. The seats are also incredibly soft and comfortable.

Neera climbs into the spacious van, sinking into the soft seat. She glances around, taking in all the room. Back home, she was used to being packed tightly into crowded public transport. This feels like luxury.

"Thank you again for taking me in," she says to Parin. "I hope I won't be too much trouble."

"Nonsense, it's my pleasure!" Parin replies warmly. "We have plenty of room, and I love welcoming new children."

As the van pulls away, Neera smiles and settles in for the ride. She has no idea what's coming next, but she feels optimistic about her fresh start in this strange new world called Thomassia.

It's not too much longer until they arrive at a building that reaches well into the sky. It's anonymous and blends in next to all the other square white buildings, but approaching it reveals a greyish sliding door that blends into the wall. The door opens straight into a square elevator, again quite spacious by earthen standards. Parin presses two buttons, and the elevator quickly rises, before opening straight into what looks like a classroom, with children her age playing and having fun on the soft floor. There are several doors leading off elsewhere, and the children don't pay Parin much attention.

Neera follows Parin into the elevator, eyes wide as it opens directly into a large, bright room full of children. It looks like a school, but also reminds her a bit of an indoor playground. The kids seem happy, playing and chatting freely.

She wonders if these will be her new siblings and classmates. Feeling suddenly shy, she moves a bit closer to Parin. Everything here is still so new and unfamiliar. But the excitement is growing within her too. A whole new world to explore, and new friends to make!

"It looks wonderful here," Neera says softly to Parin. She hopes she can find her place in this strange new land. With Parin's kindness, perhaps she's found somewhere she can finally call home.

Parin leads Neera to a hallway, and after a few doors, she opens up the door to Neera's new room. It's fairly small, but it still has its own bathroom and a bed placed against the opposite wall, together with a quite wide desk and nice-looking mesh office chair. "This one's for you, now. Make yourself comfortable."

Neera steps into the small but cozy room, looking around in wonder. Her own private bathroom, a nice bed, and desk - simple things, but luxuries she never had back in the crowded Delhi slums.

"It's perfect, thank you!" Neera says gratefully. She sits on the plush bed, then hops up to try the spinny desk chair too. Everything seems designed for comfort here in Thomassia. It's all still so strange, but she feels excitement stirring within her.

"I really appreciate you taking me in like this," Neera tells Parin again. "I can't wait to learn more about Thomassia and make it my new home." This cheerful woman has made her feel so welcomed already. Neera has a feeling her life is about to change for the better.

"Well, we can't just let you run around, can we? Now, we were planning of going on a hike a few days from now. Are you interested? You'd need to get some proper hiking gear, first. You'd probably want to pick them up with your normal, everyday clothes at the tailor."

Neera nods eagerly at the mention of a hike. "That sounds wonderful! I've never really been hiking before, but I'd love to try." She glances down a bit self-consciously at her salwar kameez. "And you're right, I could probably use some more clothes suited for here. Just point me to this tailor you mentioned."

"Thanks, we're happy to be here for you. I think you'd really enjoy a thomassian park tomorrow. It's a bit late to visit one now, but I'm sure you'd have fun meeting some of the other children around your age living here."

Neera smiles warmly at Parin's continued kindness. "A park sounds lovely! I'd really enjoy spending time with kids my age here." Back in Delhi, her weak health often left her isolated and unable to join in games and activities. But here in Thomassia, she feels free and full of energy. She imagines running and playing with the other children under sunny skies, breathing easy all the while. It's a simple thing, but the chance to just be a normal kid means so much after the limitations of her old life. She can't wait to make the most of this friendly new world and all the opportunities it offers.

"I really can't thank you enough for everything, Parin," Neera says. "You're giving me a chance at a whole new life here. It means the world."

"Everyone means everyone, as the slogan goes. We're glad that you'll get to live a better life with us."

The day after, Parin drove Neera to one of the city's tailors. She'd be getting a new uniform, consisting of a skirt short enough to not restrict her movements in the slightest together with a blue-black shirt, as well as the standard thomassian hiking outfit, consisting of a thin fleece jacket and a pair of leggings with expansive pockets, both of them designed to insulate its wearer from the elements.

Neera follows Parin into the tailor shop, gazing around curiously. Everything here looks so different from the modest salwar kameezes she was used to. The short skirts make her blink in surprise, but she reminds herself it must be the style here.

She tries on the school uniform first, turning this way and that to see herself. The freedom of movement is nice, though she tugs self-consciously at the short hem. Next comes the hiking outfit - the cozy fleece and flexible leggings seem perfectly designed for adventure.

"These all fit wonderfully, thank you so much!" Neera says. She can't stop smiling, imagining herself wearing these clothes while making friends at school and exploring the beautiful parks. After a lifetime of pollution and illness restricting her, the chance to truly experience childhood feels like an unbelievable gift. Thomassia has already given her so much, and she's only just arrived.

The hiking outfit also consists of a pair of gloves and socks designed to work as a flawless extension of the leggings and jacket. Everything fits tightly, but it's still amazingly soft and breathable. There's also a kind of plastic visor that covers the face and attaches to the hood of the jacket, meant to protect your face from any rain or snow.

Neera slips on the snug gloves and socks, impressed by how seamlessly they integrate with the rest of the outfit. The visor is a bit odd, but she supposes it must help shield hikers from the elements. She practices putting the hood up and attaching the plastic shield, imagining how handy it would be during a heavy downpour on the trails.

"I think this will be perfect for our hike," Neera says, turning to Parin with an excited smile. "Honestly, just being able to breathe the fresh air and really move out there will be such a gift."

She gazes out the shop window, picturing the vast forests awaiting. A whole world of adventure lies ahead, one she'd have never gotten to experience back home. But now here in Thomassia, she finally has the health and opportunity to explore it all. Neera can't wait to see everything this amazing place has to offer!

"The next things to consider would be the shoes you'll be wearing, and the backpack for all the supplies." She leads Neera off to the footwear section of the tailor, and there's a wide variety of hiking boots designed to form a water-tight seal to protect her feet. There is also a single model of standard-sized rectangular backpack placed against one of the walls, in all the colors of the rainbow. The backpack is freakishly light, being strengthened with an extremely thin, yet incredibly stiff, plastic panel on the bottom and back of the backpack.

"Try out a few different kinds of hiking boots, and your favorite color backpack. They'll be incredibly useful."

Neera follows Parin to look at hiking boots, marveling at the selection. She tries on a few pairs, impressed by how lightweight yet sturdy they feel, with their waterproof seals. Eventually she settles on a snug but comfy black pair that feel like they'll hold up well on the trail. The backpacks against the wall catch her eye next. Neera grabs a purple one and gasps in surprise at how feather-light it is. She swings it on easily. Even loaded up, this pack will be no burden to carry, thanks to its clever design.

"These all feel perfect for hiking," Neera says, practically bouncing with excitement. "I can't wait to go on adventures and see all the natural beauty this world has to offer!" After a lifetime of pollution and illness limiting her mobility back home, the chance to explore Thomassia's pristine forests and mountains makes her feel like she's been given the greatest gift imaginable. This friendly new land seems tailored to help people like her live their lives to the fullest - and Neera couldn't possibly feel more grateful.