[He lets her hold onto him tight, even giving her hand a little squeeze back in response, trying to be soothing. The kitten seems okay in the basket for now... maybe this was a good thing. And she seemed so stunned and scared... it wasn't the first time he'd felt a protective sort of affection for a kid here, but she was the first one who hadn't turned out to be some demented hell-child, made of meat or otherwise. It was almost comforting to be needed.

Her mechanical response does startle him a little, but he supposes everyone has their coping mechanisms.]

Well, um, hi, Kotomi-chan. Reading books, huh? We should go to the library some time, maybe get some books for people in the community? [ Not that he means himself and her, but, well...] You can call me Mr. Once-ler. Or - heck, just 'Once-ler'. No need for the 'the' or the 'mr' in a place like this, huh?