Thank you for waiting.

Chapter Twelve

Flor had to stop in the middle of the sidewalk. The three had demonstrated how to use an identification card, but she couldn't try anything out until she was standing still.

She put her thumb underneath a small lip on the top right corner and unfolded it like a map. Then she did it again until it was the size of a sheet of paper, full of text, most of which was too small for her to read.

"Good job!" said Will, smiling, "Now, touch the word 'Accordion'. Right there near the top." He was wearing a coat, his hood pulled up over his head far enough that only the lower half of his face was exposed.

Nodding, she did as she was asked, and in a moment, she was wearing her accordion in front of her. Her hands found themselves in the fabric handles on either side, and the top was unbuttoned, allowing the bellows to open freely. Her eyes opened wide, and she began to play a little tune on it she had learned the night before.

Ali turned to look at the noise, and raising an eyebrow, tossed his over-ear headphones down onto his neck. He leaned towards his older brother and said something intended for Flor. Will translated. "Ali doesn't know why you picked out an accordion of all instruments. He thinks they're weird."

"I chose this one because I feel as if we have something in common," she replied, squeezing it closed and buttoning up the top, freeing up a hand so she could pull out her card once more. "We sound the same."

Kiki walked up and squatted down, looking at it. In a squeaky voice, she asked a question.

"She's asking if you... named it?" Will translated. "Kind of a weird question to ask."

Flor shook her head, putting it away by touching the corresponding word on her unfolded card. "Well, it is a strange instrument. I guess I have to decide on a name eventually."

Ali grunted, pointing over his shoulder and conversing with Will. After a moment of clarification between the two, some words more intense than others, Will turned back to Flor. "So, dad's coming to breakfast. He's got something to talk to you about."

"Me? Oh- Right, of course." She bowed. "Let's go."

It wasn't all too long before they reached a little dive-in restaurant. The floors were all checked, and the seating was arranged into comfortable plastic booths that featured a sparkly red texture that Flor simply could not look away from. The walls were quaint and lightly colored, most of the light coming from gentle orb lighting and light pouring in from the pale, blue aura of the planet-lit outdoors.

Kiki was nervous, but once they were seating, she began to try to communicate with Flor. "What... eat... like... you?" And with that, she tried to pantomime eating something.

"What do I like to eat?" Flor asked, placing her finger towards herself.

Kiki nodded. "Yes, yes!"

Flor thought for a moment. "I... don't know."

"What... don't know?" Will explained for her, and she laughed, nodding her head. "Okay, okay," she replied. "I... like pancakes."

"Pancakes?" asked Flor.

Kiki made a sign with her hand, putting her middle fingers and thumbs together. "Pancake. Very good."

Flor nodded. "I'll have to try some! Thank you!"

Ali grunted, leaning over his shoulder and staring at the window. When Will saw that Flor had looked up and over at him, concerned, he decided to explain. "He's wondering when dad's going to get here already. But hey! Service!"