"No. I haven't seen anything that wasn't in labs or a basement somewhere." Nine sounds wistful, but not in the least optimistic. That doesn't stop her from hopeless daydreaming. They exchange guilty, self-indulgent speculation-- zoo animals dreaming of natural habitats-- before they're dragged away, each to their separate enclosures.

Things continue in this vein for some time, creating a pattern. Nine is let out to lead Miles through a series of exercises, and she grows increasingly more comfortable with that scenario as she gains a sense of his capabilities and becomes less afraid of hurting him. Turns out he's not as fragile as he seems, and a lot more vicious than she'd have expected when properly motivated, which Nine can only approve of.

They eat their ration bars together in the kitchen afterward each time. One day Nine, feeling daring, drinks from the sink tap, and when no one runs in to stop her, it becomes her first move every time they enter. She always spends several minutes drinking, and then, in embarrassment, tries to wash her face and clean under her claws, to some effect. There's nothing to be done about her hair; it's too matted for anything but a concerted effort with a comb.

But Miles never says anything disparaging about her, so Nine slowly starts to feel more human in his presence. Astonishing how much basic respect and furtive conversation can get you.

And then one day Miles's keeper wants to see his progress, whom Nine has never met before, and the whole routine grinds to a crash.