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"Good, well, I'm glad you like having a room to yourself." Emelyn, who had dried off somewhat from sitting under the sun, pulled her goggles up off her forehead and back into the mass of quills. She leaned back onto her hands, and thought of a way to answer Cody's question.

"Well, when I say 'the animal in me', I just mean... by how much more animal-like I'm becoming. Sometimes the people here on the island call the animal and themselves by two different names- just to separate them, to still feel like themselves. We don't just look like animals- we all sort of act like them, a little bit. Which is why I can pull my spines up to protect myself. ...And why, if you see someone who looks like they're dangerous, or like they're going hunting- you should hide, or get help. Not everyone on the island is like Amaya and Ambrose."

Emelyn wanted to snatch the words from the air- there was no need to scare him... but it would also be irresponsible, she knew, to tell Cody that everyone on the island was friendly and safe- when she knew very well that there were dangers to be found.

"They don't always hunt others- only very rarely when one of the predators gets very hungry, do they slip and run after someone," Emelyn said, trying to be delicate but also warning, "but mostly, they hunt for animals- little ones, because they eat meat, now. Like Ambrose. He wouldn't hurt anyone, but sometimes he goes hunting so he can eat."

Em looked at the little boy and his wide green eyes, framed by that halo of white blonde hair. He was so precious and inquisitive- and saddled with such a condition... that despite what it meant for his life, Emelyn could almost be somewhat glad that he was here, that he had a chance at a new life. ...Almost. Those parentless eyes, wide with questions- nearly ripped the answers right out of Emelyn. But she strung together something, anyway, as Reuben settled down to a comfortable lay between them, rolling upwards to get his belly scratched.

"Well, you'll act a little bit like one, yes. Take on some of the physical traits. But if you're turning into a dolphin, I think that means you'll be very happy, and able to do some great things. But you'll still be you."

"Yeah... dolphins can jump, and they can send out high pitched sounds underwater to be able to 'see' things by the way the echos come back to you... let's see- dolphins can ride waves, too. That's a lot more than a hedgehog can do," Emelyn said, smiling. She'd since taken her arm from around Cody's shoulder, and brought it down to scratch Reuben in a sensitive spot he had, just under his left front leg.

"Ooh... almost a year I got by without someone comparing me to Sonic," Em laughed. "Well... I can go a little quicker than I used to- but not nearly as fast as Sonic. But I can do a lot of boring stuff, like being able to tell what foods are poisonous and which aren't- and to curl up in a ball. And I can see in the dark really, really well. Hedgehogs are nocturnal- which means they're out at night, usually."

"I really like that one, too. That way, whenever Reuben needs to go out in the middle of the night, I can walk him down the mountain- or I can go out for walks in the middle of the night and see everything clearly."

"You know what? I really don't know. But seas can get pretty dark, so I bet that they can sort of 'see' in the dark with their echolocation. But it's something you could probably look up."

Emelyn returned the hug, shocked to feel the tiny body against hers- and a wave of something that she couldn't quite place rushed through her. How was this 21 year old- who had always lived for herself, practically reeking of the smell of independence- to understand that maternal feeling? It was animalistic, it was strong... but whether that animal was human or hedgehog... she'd never know. She barely understood the desire to protect Cody and hug him and find some way to make his world make sense again. Her mind was swimming- and all she could serve to do now was to release her hold on him, and give herself time to think about it all.

"You're really welcome. I'm so glad I met you. ...Come and see me again soon, okay? Or I'll have to come and bring Reuben to spend some time with you." She beamed, and reached out to ruffle his hair affectionately.