Corruption of the Innocent

"Mine is fine," they responded. They wanted to speak about the stuff they liked and didn't like, but looking at the girl's outfit, they wondered if she just came from school. They always liked Starlight Academy, and wished they were in the older classes so they could learn more. There was nothing to be learned from nap time and repeating the alphabets, so instead Arjean would try to go off to the corner and read a book they borrowed from their family. "What is class like? Is it fun? I like learning."

Arjean couldn't hold themself back from replying with a long answer. This took them much longer to finish than the others because of all the translating, but it should be enough for the girl to understand. "I love art and write and read and math and science my family do art and science. We have big big library want to see?" Pride filled their head from all they wrote down, yet anxiety made it harder for them to be proud when some of their writing may not have been clear enough or too messy to understand. Writing was one of their better skills, yet they still had to memorize all the rules, what what words to make big and where to put the dots at the end.

Knowing Poulos liked art and math meant they could both do art and math together. Maybe she could teach them the big kid stuff, and then Arjean could skip grades. That idea slowly disappeared as they realized that if they skipped grades that meant they wouldn't be in the same grade as Junchi, but there may be the chance to be put into the same grade according to his age group. Maybe Poulos could help with that and help make Arjean super smart. If she really was smart, maybe she could be more brains to the mafia.

A new friend to come see their library was the best thing they could hope for. Immediately Arjean scribbled down on the paper that they could go now, then stood up excitedly. At first they showed their excitement by hopping up and down, waiting for Poulos to move. Then they began shaking their wings before flying up a few inches from the ground. "Let's go," they chirped, ready to show off all the amazing books they had. Maybe she could see their room too, or meet their sister and Grandy.

Once the cell girl got up Arjean quickly fluttered over to their mommies and into the arms of Ade. When Arjean was comfortable and had their wings wrapped around her body they waved to Poulos and said to their mommies, "New friend, Poulos."

Ade gave a small giggle while petting their head, "I see Arjean," She looked down at the girl and had a strange look on her face for a moment before shrugging it off. Arjean wondered if she thought the girl looked weird just like when they first met her.

Of course, their maman was the one most excited. She was practically hopping as she chirped out, "Interesting one too. I can't wait to know more about her! Why did you bring her over though?" Arjean had a feeling she was more excited about the fact that Poulos was a new species she's never seen and they befriended her than the idea of Arjean making a new friend.

It took Arjean a moment to think up a response to Béatrice, but it didn't take them long to explain. "Library. Books. Playtime."

Béatrice only knew some of sign language, but not enough to truly understand it. Her knowledge was akin to a child, only knowing the basics and connecting things based on context and picking out random words. "Nice to meet you too! Oh, uh... do you understand me?" She looks about the same age as Arjean, yet she's wearing an elementary school uniform. Is she really just that short? Maybe she's smart for her age. For a moment she had to hold back a snicker thinking that Junchi may be taller than someone who's older than him. That wouldn't last long. Her quick moment of mocking towards Poulos and Junchi changed in a sting of jealousy at the chance that despite Poulos maybe being the same age as Arjean, she's in a higher grade than them. Arjean should be in a much higher grade, but the only keeping them back was Junchi.