"Sister Two has not been responding well to the program," Three murmured.

"Be patient, she just needs time... you can't say she's been completely unresponsive," One pointed out.

"She'd be much farther along if we brought her out of the Henrys' farm," Four insisted. A cold dread passed through Two's core.

"No, I think that would make matters worse, she just isn't comfortable with social situations yet. I think she takes comfort in the fields," Five suggested.

"Of course, just as we all do. We are made to deal with vegetation, letting her alone out there will only lead to stagnation."

"Excuse me?"

Two's sisters all turned to face her as she entered the room.

"I'm not going to leave the Henrys. I like it there, and I think they like me! That's all I want right now. I'm not ready to find a family of my own yet... but you'll see. I promise I'll get there."


Two opened her eyeforms and stared at the ceiling. Gray light spilled from under the curtains, defining their bedroom. She flexed her fingers, ran a quick internal diagnostic, and blinked to clear her vision. She was home.

The probe turned to her right, finding Nos-4-a2 asleep with his back turned to her. She cuddled against him, pressing her visor into the nape of his neck, vainly trying to clear her mind and go back offline.

You'll see.