* Next Morning

Riya was gently shaken awake. She moved her head to the opposite angle it was currently at, grumbling a bit.

"Riya," a familiar voice whispered. "You must wake if you are to return to your room in time to deceive your father."

"Don' wanna," Riya mumbled.

Miss Peregrine smiled, sliding behind the brunette. "Does that mean you will stay here?" she asked a little hopefully. She didn't enjoy discussing potentially unpleasant matters, but Riya was just conscious enough that she could be persuaded that this conversation was a dream.

Despite being more than half asleep, Riya was still articulate. "I can't, Alma. You know that. I'm not peculiar. I don't belong here."

Alma kissed the top of her head. "You do belong here. Both in this loop and with me," Alma whispered to the slowly retreating girl. She smiled and rubbed Riya's arm. "You must wake, my darling," she said loudly enough for Riya to hear her. The Ymbryne stopped breathing when the woman stretched into her. Their eyes connected and Riya smiled. Alma leaned down to kiss Riya, but the woman covered her mouth.

"I haven't brushed my teeth," she whispered. Then, she groaned. "And I didn't bring my pills."

Alma intended to put a stop to such a routine, but she knew now was not the time. She kissed the younger woman's cheek. "I'll take over," she stated. Sliding from behind the woman who was now supporting herself, she carefully transferred the hands holding the sleeping avocet.

Riya stood up. "When I've changed and convinced Franklin to leave me alone, I'll come back." She took note of the downtrodden look on Alma's face and bent down to look up at her. "It will be today, I promise."

"Come see me first?" Alma asked, indulging in her selfishness just a bit.

Riya looked shocked that that was even an option. "Of course!" And she left.

*

"Who's ready to hit the beach?" Franklin asked excitedly.

"I'll burn," Riya commented.

"Then don't go." 

"If only I knew it would be that easy," Riya turned the page in her book. 

"But you're not leaving the Priest Hole." 

"You busted that we've been in an abandoned building." She lowered the book to look her father in the eye. "Where would I go? Back home? I'd rather live here." Her eyes lit up and she sat straighter as if the idea just struck her. "I could," she murmured. 

"You're mother would never let you." 

"It wouldn't be her choice. I could just... not go back to Florida." The idea left a warm tingly feeling over her. She smiled genuinely for the first time in years.

After Jake and Franklin left, Riya jolted from her spot on the bed. She casually walked towards the woods, looking around to make sure no one was following her. When she made it to the home, the children were playing tag in the front yard. All of them, even the older ones. She let herself in, walking to dining room. The bird saw her and immediately lifted its head, flapping its wings. Riya rushed to hold her, lifting her from where she'd been laid on the table, wrapped in a blanket. "None of that," she scolded.

"Indeed," Miss Peregrine agreed. "You must conserve your strength."

The bird - Miss Avocet, Riya guessed - flapped her wings in defiance.

Alma scoffed in disbelief. She looked at Riya to get her to display some form of discipline. Miss Avocet had been temperamental all morning, and now she was excited to see Riya. Maybe the elder Ymbryne would listen to her.

"Don't make me put you down," Riya threatened. The Avocet calmed immediately and folded her wings against her body. Riya tucked her back in, pulling the blanket up.

Alma walked over beside Riya. "Here." She had a plate of meat. "See if you can get her to eat," Alma requested. "She wouldn't do anything with me except ask about you." She kissed the top of Riya's head.

Riya closed her eyes and let out a sigh, grabbing at the plate blindly. "She was probably trying to keep her mind off whatever happened to her," she proposed.

Alma made sure she had the plate before retreating back over to the counter.

"Would you mind if I sat?" Riya asked.

"Not at all!" And the cheerful version of Alma had returned. She was cooking... something.

Riya sat in the same rocking chair as she had the night before. She offered the bird some fish. The bird turned and looked up. Riya gave it a little glare. "Eat something. You haven't eaten since before you got here and heaven knows how long you were flying."

The bird peeked open its mouth.

Riya slid the piece in.

Miss Avocet turned her head away once she finished it.

Riya sighed, wiping her hand to be free of slime. "Alright," she consented, gently stroking the bird.

When she realized she wouldn't be forced to eat anymore, Miss Avocet faced Riya once more.

Rocking gently in the chair, Riya stroked her chest feathers.

Alma walked up behind her. "I believe my dear Miss Avocet has imprinted on you."

Riya turned her head to the side. She looked up. "I've read a piece of fiction where imprinting is romantic," Riya said in a confused and hesitant fashion.

Miss Avocet squawked in protest.

Alma smiled down at Riya, granting Miss Avocet an amused glance. "No," she contradicted, her fingers toying with dark hair. "Not necessarily. It simply means she immediately saw you as a part of her family."

Riya raised her head in a half-nod. "Have you ever imprinted?"

Alma smiled and nodded. "Twice." One of her hands stroked the side of Riya's face. She suddenly pulled her watch from her pocket and checked it. "I must begin lunch."

Riya nodded. "I understand."

Alma held up a water dropper. "Since she ate for you, she might drink."

Riya took the dropper gently, making sure not to snatch. She looked up at Alma and watched her walk across the room and put on an apron. The brunette smiled absentmindedly. She turned back to the avocet. She held up the dropper, giving Miss Avocet a questioning glance. The bird looked away. Riya set down the dropper. "Later, then," she conceded, not feeling like blackmailing the injured Ymbryne. She went back to stroking the feathers. Miss Avocet turned to stare at her imprintee. "You said she'd asked about me," Riya remarked.

"Yes."

"How? Did she change back?"

"Miss Avocet was injured in bird form and, therefore, cannot change back until she is feeling well enough. As for the how, Ymbrynes share a language that only other Ymbrynes speak and/or understand."

Riya nodded, still rocking.