As the week wore on, Hannah and her brother began to grow edgy inside the church. Rio took to disappearing at odd times, sometimes for hours, which made Hannah all the more lonely. She managed to see Shelby and catch up with her a bit, but the girl was busy as ever. Most of the time, Hannah had no one to fill her hours with.

One morning, after breakfast, she couldn't find Rio in his room - or anywhere. At first, she was annoyed, until she stopped in the middle of the stairs and wondered what she was doing. "Why bother?" she asked herself. "If he wants to stay lost, let him."

She hurried down, making her way out the main church doors, where she was surprised by the chill of the air. She started walking, not really knowing - or caring - where she was headed. She just had to get out for awhile. No one here had any time for her, she felt, looking back at Magda's Tower. She had never had much problem being alone in the village, but here, things were different. She had gotten so used to being busy, surrounded by people, that she couldn't go back anymore.

She sighed, pulling her collar up high round her neck. Perhaps she should stop with all this comparing Chell to Dalen. They were too different for that, which she supposed was why she too had changed, even though she'd left the village barely a year ago.

She took a turn, almost instinctively, and realized she was walking an old route. She was headed for the Corona, and for Jono's. She was curious about them, despite herself. And really, where else was there for her to go?

She came through the shortcut's alley, walking along the side of Jono's. She peeked to the front, and found her old friend Deedee there, sneezing a wet mist.

"Hannah!" the girl gushed, wiping her nose. "You've come to see us."

"How are you, Dee?"

"Oh, awful, as you can see."

"Perhaps you should have stayed home."

"Nooo. Jono wouldn't like that."

"No, he wouldn't," Hannah had to agree. She stepped up onto the porch, peeping past the curtains. "So how is everyone?"

"Alright."

"How are the new girls?"

"Eh," Deedee went, shrugging uninterestedly. "They're young and silly. I miss you and Ginia."

Funny, Hannah had thought the same thing about Deedee and the others for a long time. She stepped up to a window, making out the same slight, yellow-headed girl standing in her section. She looked eager to please, probably just the kind of girl Jono wanted. How odd it was to see a new generation of Jono's girls. She wondered if one day, Deedee, Sora and all the others would disappear too, probably marrying or moving away somewhere.

"She's been here a few times, you know," Deedee told her. "She's been asking about you."

"Who?"

"Ginia. She's gotten herself a very good job, up with this expensive tailor."

Hannah was surprised. She hadn't expected her old friend to be back at work so soon. And at a whole new job?

"Why don't you go and visit her? I know she wants to see you."

"Alright. Tell me where I can find her."

As soon as Hannah had the address from her old friend, she went on her way. But of course, it had been a long time since she'd looked at her mapbook, so she just had to get lost.

She wasn't familiar with this part of Dalen, which was newer, with two-floored shops and stairways and ramps going all over the place. She kept walking and walking, and as the sun cooled, the sky turned to gray with it. It would rain soon. She wondered if Rio had discovered she was gone yet.

She turned her head, spotting a young guard nearby. He looked familiar. She was sure she'd seen him at the ceremony. Encouraged, she went to ask his help, and he was good enough to point her the right way. According to him, it wasn't far, so she had been on the right track after all.

A minute later, Hannah found herself in front of a broad window, staring at human-sized dolls draped in stunning, vivid patterns. This had to be the place.

Beside her, a pair of noblewomen emerged from inside, chatting and carrying boxes. They reminded her of Alyssa and Suzanne. Hannah started towards the door, but then hesitated, feeling out of place. As she stood there, more ladies appeared, pushing past her to enter. Hannah held the door open after them, taking a look for herself. Inside, it was noisy and colorful, the walls stacked or pinned with fabrics, while women worked and chattered.

Hannah slipped in quietly, standing at the edge of the crowd. No one seemed to notice her, or really care. She searched the shop, looking for the only young girl there. Ginia. Almost everything about her was different - her hair was clipped up neatly, and her dressing was modest now. But it was her.

Ginia dropped her things, breaking through the women to come to her. "I can't believe you're here," Ginia said as the two shared a hug.

"Neither can I."

Her friend pulled back, and Hannah spotted a handsome, elegant man behind the counter watching them. The look on him was strange - not cold, but not friendly either.

"How did you find me?" Ginia asked, clutching her shoulders.

"Through Deedee. I hope you don't mind."

"No, of course not. I'd been trying to find you, but no one could tell me where you'd gone."

"Well, I'm here now." She paused, clearing her throat. "You look different."

Ginia nodded, gesturing behind her. "Yes, this is where I work now. No need for tight little dresses here."

"Seems awfully busy. Is it always like this?"

"Oh, yes. They're doing very well. It's a good thing."

"Well," Hannah went, still aware of the man watching them. "Perhaps I should come and see you later."

"No, no. Don't worry about that."

"I wouldn't want to get you into trouble," she whispered, looking towards the counter, and Ginia followed her gaze.

"Oh, there's no such thing here, Hannah. It's nothing like Jono's, you know."

Hannah saw the man move away from his spot. He edged alongside the crowd, disappearing up a staircase.

"How long have you been working here?" Hannah asked her friend, growing more relaxed with him gone.

"Not long. About a month."

"And how do you like it so far?"

"Hmm. The people are nice, and the pay is good."

"It sounds perfect."

"It's as good as girls like us can expect." She paused, catching her friend's eye. "Are you interested, Hannah?"

"Me?"

"I'd heard about Jono asking you to leave. Why don't you work with us then? Unless you've found something else?"

"But I don't know anything about tailoring. I mean, not like this - "

"Really, it's nothing so hard. It's just talking to customers, checking the stocks, and sometimes making deliveries. Nothing you can't do."

Hannah shook her head. "I still don't see how they could want someone like me."

"Nonsense. If Christopher took me, he'll take you."

Christopher?

Ginia turned, looking towards the counter and seeing that it was empty. "He's gone upstairs."

"Yes, I saw him go up," Hannah said.

"Come on then." She took Hannah's hand, leading her up quite determinedly.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

But her friend just smiled back at her. They headed up, coming upon a very small, dim hallway, where Ginia knocked on the first door.

"Come in," they heard a man's cool voice.

Ginia pushed her way in, and Hannah stared into a small, straight room packed with desks and books. The man from downstairs was there, leaning one hand by the window, while a woman sat, going over some papers.

"Ginia," he said, flicking his gaze over them. "Shouldn't you be downstairs?"

"I wanted you both to meet a friend of mine." She gestured beside her. "This is Hannah. Hannah, this is Christopher. He owns the shop, together with his wife, Judy."

There was a small silence as the couple stared at Hannah. They looked puzzled by her, and she wondered if there was something wrong with how she looked.

Christopher cleared his throat, as if remembering his manners. "Hello," he mumbled, politely enough. Hannah gazed at him, thinking that his looks reminded her a little of Kurt. And with a young wife beside him too.

"We wanted to ask," Ginia started. "Hannah is in need of work. She's a hard worker, very reliable. Do you think we might have a place for her?"

The wife shifted in her seat, but didn't say anything. She seemed to want to leave the decision to her husband.

"Of course," Christopher answered, though his eyes were on Ginia.

"Really?" Hannah was stunned.

"She can start anytime she likes. You will teach her."

"Thank you, Christopher."

"Thank you," Hannah repeated, but there was only a dead expression on Christopher's face.

He said nothing else as the two girls backed into the hall, shutting the door between them.

"See?" Ginia said, once they were alone again. "Wasn't that simple?"

"He just took me in," Hannah murmured. "Just like that."

"Well, you are my friend after all."

"I can't believe it. I thought it'd be months before I could find work again. Thank you, Ginia, thank you so much."

"You are welcome."

"Now that I think about it ... this is the second time you've helped me, really."

Ginia shrugged, leaning her arms along the rail. There was a lot of noise coming from downstairs, but she didn't seem in any rush to get back to work. "It's the least I could do after everything you did for me."

Hannah kept quiet, reading in the girl's eyes all her worst memories from the past few months. Ginia could change her life, her job, even herself, but she could never really leave it all behind. She could never forget.

"I was such a fool, wasn't I?" Ginia muttered, shaking her head.

"Don't say that."

"You know, you're the only one who tried to understand me. Not like the other girls, you know. You understand what it's like to lose someone."

"Sad to say, I do."

"Well, I spent enough time grieving, being angry. I knew I had to change things or I'd die."

"And look at you now."

"Look at both of us," Ginia smiled. "I'm glad we're going to be together again. Jono's girls, reunited."

"I hope I don't mess it up."

"Of course you won't. Have some faith in yourself, Hannah. We survived Jono's, didn't we? Believe me, it's much easier here."

"Well, I'll do my best, since you were good enough to help me."

"When do you think you'd like to start then?"

"I think I should speak to my brother first. But perhaps in a few days?"

"I'll be waiting."

They strode downstairs, waving to each other as Hannah left. She raced back to Magda's, but was still caught in a drizzle before she made it inside. As she went upstairs, she expected to find Rio waiting for her in her room ... but no.

It was a funny feeling, knowing she had not been missed. She took a rest, waiting for when her brother would appear.

He finally showed up that evening, just before the dinner bell, practically bursting in. "There you are," he said, wagging a finger at her. "Where've you been?"

"Me? Where have you been?"

"Looking for you."

"Funny, I was looking for you too."

"Of course you were."

"Magda's is a big place apparently, that we can somehow miss each other."

He smirked at that.

"But anyway, I have news for you. Good news."

"Sister Marela changed her mind?"

"No, no. Although you could say she inspired me."

"Inspired you how?"

"I went out for a walk this afternoon. Not far," she said, before he could start scolding her for it. "Turns out it was a good thing I went, because I met Ginia. You remember Ginia."

"The girl who ... " he stopped, getting a grim look. "Yes, I remember. What happened to her?"

"She's doing much better, actually. She's working at this very fine tailor shop for women."

"And?" Rio didn't see where she was going.

"And the owners have offered me a job there as well."

"A job? Already?"

"Surprised, aren't you?"

"Are you going to take it?"

"Of course. It's a very good offer. They're running a respected business, and Ginia will be there with me. I don't see any reason to turn it down."

"Huh," her brother went, pulling together his brows.

"What? You're not going to find fault with this one, Rio."

"I'm not trying to. I just hope they treat you better than Jono did."

"Of course they will, or Ginia would never have suggested it for me."

"But do you think it's a good idea to start working again so soon? I mean, after all that's happened?"

"Yes, even more so. If you wish, I can stay on at Magda's for awhile, but I'm still accepting the offer."

"I know better than to try and stop you."

"You know, I'm actually quite glad now that Sister Marela didn't want my help."

Rio smiled thinly, shaking his head. "Somehow, you always find a way, don't you? Even in a city like Dalen."

"I suppose it's not all bad."

They heard the sudden sound of the bell, along with the nuns' shuffling outside, though neither of them moved. "Come on," Rio said. "Let's go out and find some dinner of our own."

"Really?"

"We'll celebrate your news."

"I like that idea," Hannah smiled, and brother and sister went out together into Dalen, arm-in-arm.