[Liem is pleased to see the appearance of the little digging tool Gray produces from inside her cloak; he reaches out to accept it with a murmured thank you, and eyes the seedling’s pot for a moment before digging the blade into the dirt of the garden.

At first, when she asks her question, his only response is to press his lips together and frown slightly at the ground. He is reminded vividly of the last few times Minegishi spent time in his presence, which he would characterize as grudging toleration at best.]

You would have to ask him, I think, [he says after a moment.] I don’t always relate so well with young people. But I feed him sometimes, which I think he appreciates.