Haven

The world was full of wonder, sunshine, and new words the young xero was just beginning to understand. Blinking at her classmates, X-185 knew today could be the day she was assigned a foster family. She had lived at ARC labs just long enough to watch others find their homes, and though her time here had been short, she anxiously awaited whomever might call her number forward. Typically, assignments were given on the first day of the week. Two cycles had passed since X-185 knew of the tradition, but she hoped today might be her last morning in the labs.

Of course, her classmates were grand fun and all, but trying to put names to her emotions failed her. She longed for connection and someone patient to answer her myriad of questions. The korso attendants, bless them, even grew weary of her constant curiosity- Her voice was always the loudest of the bunch. "When's roll call?" She excitedly swiveled her head towards one of the korso, "Is it me today? Is it? Is it?!" The korso bent to gently shush the excited xero, "just a few minutes, young one," and the coming head pat did nothing to satisfy X-185. She pouted, miffed her question had gone unanswered for what must have been the fifth time since breakfast.
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The tawny tundra xero stepped into the entryway of ARC labs, nervously glancing towards the receptionist. A flood of memories filled her mind, and she instantly recognized the soft colors of the painted Alurizan world mural overhead. It seemed like it had been such a long time since she had been on the other side of these walls!

Walking to the desk, the piebald xero greeting the korso kindly and handed over a stack of paperwork she'd received several days ago. "Ah, here it is, I think I filled it all out right," she grinned perhaps a little too wide. Glancing over his glasses, the korso receptionist smiled warmly, "Ms. Nilla Bean, yes, we've been expecting you. Please have a seat and we'll call you back shortly... Thank you so much for investing in ARC's future." Nilla hoped she wouldn't have to wait long as she sat and pondered who her young xero might be. Would they take in interest in baking, as she had? Would they enjoy kite flying or or painting or building or studying... Whomever they might be, Nilla was so excited to introduce the world of Aluriza to them. She had thought long and hard about volunteering to foster a young xero and felt the time was right to support someone new.

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"Alright everyone, gather round!" Their korso nanny gathered the group to attention. The young xeros clambered for the cushion pillow seats, each embroidered with their number for organizational purposes.. X-185 scrambled fastest and did her best to sit up straight, tall, and attentive. She'd even combed her tail fourteen times, so she had better be on the list today!

The korso began, "We have several foster assignments today, so please join me in congratulating X-180... X-176... and X-185-"

"YES!" She sprang from her seat, jumping as high as her feet could. All eyes turned towards her, but the korso simply smiled at her exuberance. After all, a found family warranted some celebration, albeit X-185 always had to be on the louder side.

"Yes," the korso motioned for the young xero to quiet down, "go line up by the door please."

X-185 beat the other two there and secured the first spot for herself. She bounced on her toes, hands wringing and head swiveling from the korso to the door- to the korso- and back again. Hurry up, hurry up! After what felt like ages, the korso moved to open the door into the awaiting room where three older xeros were seated. Blinking, X-185 suddenly balked at the open space. How would she know which was her foster?

The korso chuckled, then peered into the room, "Nilla, would you like to meet X-185?"

A scruffy tundra xero stood and smiled to take a shuffling step forward. "Hello-"

Before she could say another word, X-185 had rushed into the room and bounced to fling her arms around Nilla's waist. Startled, Nilla took a step back to support herself before finding a grin and light laughter. X-185 buried her face into Nilla's soft fur and inhaled before leaning back to glance upwards with wide, blue eyes. "Hi! I'm X-185!!!"

"Well hello there! I'm Nilla."

"Are you gonna take me home?" She blinked expectantly while grinning ear to ear.

Nilla nodded and chuckled, "well yes, but you might need to let go of me first..." 

"Oop-" X-185 released her from her tight bear hug and shuffled back an embarrassed step. 

"But you can hold my hand," Nilla offered gently, sensing the sudden distance and remembering how daunting the new world had seemed for her at first. 

X-185 eagerly took her paw. With one final wave to her korso nanny, the pair set off. X-185 immediately launched into her first flurry of questions and Nilla realized it was going to be a long, but wonderful, walk home. 

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"Welcome to my little haven," Nilla opened the door to her bakery shop several days later (she had closed the shop for a while to help X-185 get settled in at home). "What's a haven?" X-185 queried as she entered the quaint little shop, sniffing in all the warm sugary scents. "Well, it's a safe place, somewhere like home where you can relax and be yourself," Nilla patiently explained, as she had to the last 1237348 questions.

"Wait- That's it! I'll be Haven, and I'll make everyone feel just as safe and as welcomed as you have made me!" Haven beamed with her new name- She'd tried several but none had felt quite right until now.

"Haven." Nilla echoed, "I like it!" 
"Me too!" And in typical Haven fashion, she moved right on to the next thing. "What's that do?!" And ran right over towards the industrial dough mixer.

Nilla could only smile and hurry to catch up with her little sister Haven.