Without even having to explain herself, it's a worry calmed, a little knot of tension that unties itself. It will take getting used to, she thinks, this way of communicating with another person, but she wants to try and get used to it. She does. She thinks it will be worth the effort. Many times over.

The question is a little bit trickier. She withdraws her hand from his, not in any effort to get away from him, but to cradle the strange little bird that's hopped up on her leg. It looks a bit like a quail, but the wings are so very small, it can't possibly fly. Can it? She's getting off track. Returning them. She wants to answer Cole honestly, but the problem is that she doesn't have an answer yet. "If I can," is what she settles on. She will have these animals for a while. Some of them might get too used to being cared for. There is always a danger, with wild animals, that they won't survive if released after prolonged observation and care. "If it's safe for them to be back up here, I'll want them to be home. If they get too used to being cared for... I won't turn them loose up here just to let them be killed. I'll keep taking care of them rather than leave them in danger."

A thought occurs, something that causes excitement to bubble up from deep in her chest. The look she turns on Cole is open and hopeful. "You'll know, won't you? When I'm done studying them, I can only guess, but you'll know which ones would rather stay and which ones are homesick, won't you? Would you help me? When it's time?"