They arrived at what Kevin said was the processing location for new Lost.

“Since you’re an unusual case, I’m going to be staying with you until it’s all done.”

“We’re unusual?”

“Yes, because there's two on you, and one’s a baby.”

“Oh.”

Kevin led Gemma and Nellie to a desk where a being that seemed related to sharks was working. Kevin pulled out a chair for Gemma. Gemma locked Nellie’s stroller and then sat down.

The shark lady introduced herself, and had Gemma fill out information on something that was a mix between tablet and computer. Gemma inputted her name, date of birth, species (?!), and a multitude of other basic information. It was kind of funny to see that paperwork, no matter where you were, was mostly the same.

A bizarre detail that caught Gemma’s eye was that Travalar had thirteen months. In between June and July was a month called Jepi. June, Jepi, July. Confusing and a bit of a tongue twister.

When it came to fill out the forms on Nellie’s behalf, Gemma bit her lip.

“I don’t know some of this information,” Gemma said.

“You don’t know your own baby’s date of birth?” the shark lady asked, a bit incredulous.

“She’s not my child. I was just babysitting her when all this happened. She’s my friend’s daughter.”

“Oh my,” sympathy laced the shark lady’s tone, “Well, if you know how old she is we can work out approximately when she was born.”

This turned into a headache because it worked out to be that Nellie was born either at the end of June or July, which somehow meant according to their thirteen months, she may have been born in Jepi. Gemma threw up her hands and decided Nellie’s birthday would be the 14th of Jepi. Then she went back to her own birthday and recalculated it so when she had her birthday it would line up with Earth’s calendar system. The shark lady helped her do the math on that one.

Once that was done Gemma put the whole headache inducing matter out of mind.

Gemma had to fill out information on her classes and skill.

“The Babysitter class is new,” the shark lady said, “no one’s gotten that particular terminology as a class before. We have Caretaker, Guardian, and Keeper. Interesting. The System does such interesting things for you Lost.”

When the paper work was done, Gemma was in Frillin’s government’s system, not just the system with a capital S.

While their physical identifications were being made, Kevin took her to the next stop. Gemma was made to do a written test, a health screening, and even a driving test. She was given a Class L license, which allowed her to operate landbound vehicles, but she wouldn't be flying one of those hover vehicles any time soon. She regretted no taking Technopath, which would have allowed her that license. She was also eligible for funding for additional education, if she so chose to do so.

The most important thing came to this: the Frillish government would allot her a monthly stipend which she could use as she saw fit, but was primarily intended to pay for food and lodging for herself and Nellie. She was given a bank account into which it would be deposited and a credit card.

At least she and Nellie wouldn’t suffer and end up in the gutter. For all that the Frillish government wouldn’t be letting her go home, at least they were making sure she would be comfortable.

Kevin escorted Gemma out of the processing center. Gemma decided to ask about something that was bothering her.

“Since we did all of those tests, and you guys are as modern— if not more than—my home planet,” Gemma said, “What was the point of putting us in that jungle?”

“Think of it as a comprehensive psychology and personality test. For example, in a regular sector we include dangerous beasts. That fruit you ate? In a regular sector it provides nourishment at the cost of safety--the glow attracts danger to you.”

“That seems kinda sick,” Gemma said, “Do people ever die or get hurt?”

“Hurt, yes, but we intervene before anything else occurs. The strain of those few days in the domes also affects what classes you might be eligible for, which is something that was deemed important. Pretty much all our advancements came from the Lost, and it’s worthwhile to make sure they get a class that can be capitalized upon.”

“I was offered the Ember Mage and Technopath classes. Were those related to the whole jungle situation?”

“No. The types of classes aren’t particularly unusual— actually—we have a person from your planet who came through when you did, and they got one of those unique classes. Do you want to meet him?”

Gemma stopped walking.

“Seriously? Yes! Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“You had to complete your processing first. That’s the rule,” Kevin said.

“Fine, let’s go now!” Gemma began taking quicker strides than before.

“If we’re going to meet him, he’s with my manager, Fiona right now. They’re going over some...rules, but when they finish we can meet up with him, since he’s finished his processing too.”

“Ugh, fine.”

“In the meantime, though, I thought you might like lunch. You did mention you wanted to eat something other than fruit, right?”

Now that Gemma wasn’t going through a whirlwind of paperwork and tests, she noticed she was, indeed, ravenous.

“Let’s get lunch, then. Uh, not to be rude or anything, Kevin, but...what do you eat?”