...homeless. Följa shuddered at that thought. For now though, she had a more pressing matter. She grabbed the side of Louie's overall and navigated her way up to his shoulder. She was surprised at how agile her own movements were at this size.

"What now, Louie?" This was the first time Följa had addressed Louie by name, and he noticed that. That reassured him that their relationship had made some progress since this morning.

Louie turned to Mr Pronobo, "Mr Pronobo, shall we turn Följa back to her regular size now?"

Mr Pronobo had settled his Hootle-shooting device against the end of the table with the apparatus. Mr Pronobo stroked the under of his chin, which made him seemed deep in thought. He thought that made Mr Pronobo look like a caricature of a wizened wizard from books he had read.  Louie thought he saw a twinkle in Mr Pronobo's eye.

"Följa, if I may. Would you kindly answer a few questions that I have in mind? It would help me clarify some of my hunches, and help with your — our situation here."

Följa nodded.

"Very well! Now think carefully. My first question: Were you born when the crescent waned?"

Följa tried her very hardest to recall. She seemed to have memories of her father saying how her birth was made harder with barely any moonlight coming into the house. The forest was as dark as it was at night. "I do think so." She paused, and said, "If it isn't, it was close."

Mr Pronobo seemed satisfied with the answer. "Next! Do you not have the fortune for a chance to get to know your parents well?"

"Yes..." Följa trailed off.

"And lastly! Is your favourite fruit the raspberries?"

Louie thought that a weird time for this question, but Följa answered a little brightly. "Yes!"

"A-ha!" Mr Pronobo exclaimed.

Louie felt a little excitement. Mr Pronobo seemed to be getting somewhere. "What does that mean, Mr Pronobo?" He could feel Följa on his shoulder, moving closer to the direction of Mr Pronobo.

"My dear boy! Don't you see? That was just good sense to know someone's favourite fruit, like I know you like mangos. This knowledge may come in handy one day. It has nothing to do with our situation otherwise......now, why are we all still standing around? Come, come by the armchairs and let me tell you more about Följa's parents!"