estell

Sounds like it's working well.

Is it?

Forceful treatment always works well.

That's true.

What are you smiling about?

Oh, it's nothing.

(I'm glad to have made a friend, and to have helped a colleague.)

(Even though I still couldn't say it.)

(At Rhodes Island, no one laughs at my horns, or scolds me for being clumsy.)

(There's still a lot I don't know, but I'm learning every day.)

Oh, looks like they're done.

Hey, Tomimi.

I made a new friend, Gavial!

Look!

Huh? Where did she go?

Who?

You're not seeing things, are you?

(Whew...)

(I ran away again.)

(Looks like I still have a long way to go.)

The Archosauria girl sighs, lifts her head, and presses herself against the walls of the clinic, horns and all.

There is no smell of vitamin solution, but she feels surprisingly relaxed.

The dark night and scattered stars outside the windows are no different from what she'd seen out on the barrens for so many years.

Today, however, she is home. Here at Rhodes Island.