"Yup." Kitty'd brought along a cup of coffee for herself and sipped it now. "I was in the second batch of new arrivals. New Year's before last. A year and a half."

Sometimes it seemed like a minute. Today, it felt like an eternity.

"Every once in awhile, a big group shows up at once. Or a big group disappears at once. Most of the time, it's like today. Maybe one or two people on the first or the fifteenth of the month. We figured that out pretty quick, and some of us started making a point to be in the cafe or out by the road on those days."

Another sip. Mostly she was talking to give him a chance to eat and acclimate a little, and maybe give him some relevant information without making a big deal out of it.

"It's ended up saving a couple of lives, too. Some people's entrances are pretty dramatic."