She's gotten 'erself dressed pretty inna coat't't's too big for'er anna pretty scarf over'er hair. She's settlin' inta bein' human, I think. Whether'at's a good'r bad thin', ain't m'place t'see. But she smiles when she sees me, an'I smile back. "I woke up with light behind my eyelids," she says, strokin' a burnt tree.

"Wuz smoke'n m'throat fer me," I nod. 'm 'bout t'call'er over, see what she c'n make outta'is...when a snappin' twig catches both 'r ears.

"Fine morning to find ourselves with a mystery. I can scarcely credit it."

Nanshe starts, 'n starts t'say somethin', but she catches 'erself. "I'm sorry; I thought you were someone else."

Ain't seen'is fella b'fore, not 'round town, 'n not on th'Lot. Nanshe looks right nervous, an'I straighten, takin' a step closer. "Ain't seen you 'round b'fore," I says, cas'al. "New'n town?"