<div>


    ...Would you like me to fetch some more water? Roux asked hesitantly. The girl''s eyes shot open in alarm, and she tensed, ready to scramble away. Then she winced. Tensing was not an option, in her current state. She relaxed again.


    As real as anything, I suppose. Roux nodded in response. And I would greatly appreciate your help. Which means I need you to stay alive. Water?


    I haven''t quite thought this through, have I? Roux mused to himself. How to get the water to the girl? He was a lemon.


    Are you ok? Roux shouted down. The girl''s response was to start giggling. It must have been cold, to be under this shower, but giggles turned into chuckles, which turned into full laughter. Roux started laughing nervously with her, as it seemed appropriate. He hoped she was ok, and that her mind hadn''t cracked.


    Freefer? Roux prompted.


    ...You''re not a very powerful human, are you? Roux asked. He''d been hoping this girl could lead him to some magic, but she seemed even more in need of it than himself. She eyed him sideways as she finished her burnt crust.


    talking lemon. That would just be weird. Like some magic experiment gone wrong. No, you''re a lemon that reaches into my soul, takes a bite, and leaves words to fill in the missing bits."


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    That was... poetic.


    terrifying."


    Your name''s Orphan?


    use it. And yea. I had a fancy name once, but it doesn''t help me none out here. So it''s Orphan."