...You...Have a favorite rock...? You were eating...Your favorite rock...?

...

[He swallows it.]

I'll get you a nicer one...That one tasted funny... Might've been rotten...

...

[He slowly takes the rock out of Vero's hand and hands her a chocolate rock instead.]

I just assume if you crush them hard enough, it's not a problem...

...

[He pops the actual fucking rock into his mouth.]

...Am I not supposed to be eating them...?

...You can't...?

How can I trust you, huh...?

[He smiles a bit.]

That sounds nice...My kid teaches others about space and stars...You wanna do something like that...?

You have to *wait* your turn for a table...And we have to wait five minutes...Hmm...

[He taps his foot, humming.]

So... What do you want to do when you grow up...? Any plans yet...?

Take your time... I'm not letting her run off again...Even if she's trying hard to...

See you soon...

[He immediately grabbed her again, yawning.]

Stop doing that...Manners...

You might like having fun, but it'll come to bite you when you get a bit older... You're gonna need to take on some responsibilities in a few years, Kiddo...

[He asks a waiter for a table.]

Five minutes...Okay...?

Uhh...Near the university...Taking her to get something to eat at a diner not too far...Said she's been out for a bit...You can join us if you'd like...

When you have *my* job... It's nice to appreciate the quiet... I'm not really a games type of person...

...Well...Lottie n' Lucas both need medication to have a happier life... It's not a bad thing...Sometimes it's necessary...

[He opens the door to the diner, motioning for her to go first.]

Boring is safe...With my job, boring days are the best days... You'll understand when you're older...

...

You...Know that isn't a bad thing, right...?

Mm-Hm... Veroniqué was telling me about how she snuck into one of the classes and learned about Australia...Something about onions too but...Eh...Well...I never finished secondary school, so what do I know...

She's fine...She managed to stumble into the university library and start messaging me on the chatrooms...I found her pretty easily...Did you know they're teaching kids about Australia now...?

Good morning...Hope you didn't burn the building down while I was asleep...

[He yawns a bit, the sound crackling over his shitty flip phone.]

Are you missing a little rascal...? About yey big...Blonde...Keeps trying to be for sweets like she's starving...?

[His phone is ringing.]

Mm-hm...I know...But you have to walk and not run...And you have to stick by me...Got it...?

[He gently lets her go, propping her up on her feet.]

Medication to calm you down...But...Ah, well...I guess I wasn't too different at your age...But still... Don't run off...

... I'll...Give him a call when we get seated...

[He rushes over and grabs the back of her shirt collar to keep her close.]

We really need to get you on some medication... Don't run off like that...I know you're getting older, but still...Not safe, Kiddo...

It pays to be curious...

...Hm...Well...I guess it doesn't matter...Does your dad know you left at all...?

[He spots a diner nearby and points towards it, tapping Vero on the shoulder.]

That look good enough for brunch, Vero...?

Then...Why did you wander off by yourself...?

...Well...Rules are rules...

[At that comment, he jams the rest of the cookie in his mouth, chewing and swallowing.]

Done...All gone...

...

So...What did you want for brunch...?

...Closhe enouff...

[He bites down, motioning for her to start walking with him.]

Lets go get some proper food...Okay...? And then bring you back to the right school...

> What, she afraid of something happening? We're fine, don't worry. Haha.

What kinda family are you living in? My kids will call each other shitty names, but neither me or their mom call them anything bad. Usually.

- 🌙

Hey...Hey...What do we say when someone does something nice for you...?

[He unwraps his own cookie, holding in his mouth for a bit.]

Shimon needsh to teach you more mannersh...

> She's asking about me, or her job? Haha.

Those are interesting names. They pick them themselves?

- 🌙

Mmm...Let me think about that one...

[He punches in the number and watches as the cookie drops to the bottom. Doing the same thing again, he then reaches in and grabs the cookies, handing one to Vero.]

For you...And one for me...Happy...?

If Lottie jumped off a bridge, should I follow...?

[He smiles, reaching over to swipe his card.]

Make your decision quick, Kiddo...Or I might just make two purchases for myself instead...

> Well, hoping your class goes well. You're a smart kid. You'll do fine.

I know Daria. I hope she remembers me. Didn't know you had more than just her, though. Busy house it seems. Who are the others?

- 🌙

I put...It there...? What do you mean...? It's just... My name...

[He scratches at its cheek.]

Hungry...Hungry is...Hm...When your stomach hurts...Because it wants food...You following...?

> Huh. That's unfortunate. But hey, still a passing grade. Hope next attempt is better.

You've got a pretty big family, huh?

- 🌙

Hmm...I guess you have a point...I *do* have to buy you some snacks...

...

As much as I'd love to give you the whole world kiddo...I unfortunately can't...I'm one man...And I said *one* cookie when we left...Didn't I...?