[ he feels 9s go rigid underneath his touch, and jude is quick to remove his hand. maybe he should have been more considerate of 9s' personal space, but jude has always been one to offer comfort on instinct alone. ]

It doesn't look like the Uvi could manage to squeeze back through the front entrance. It's a pretty tight fit down there, and now that they've been healed up, the Palai should wake soon enough.

... I mean, I suppose I could stay and keep an eye on them, but I really don't know how I feel about letting you go off on your own.