When living in a facility where you were kept as a living science project, manners were a thing least thought of to teach said project. It didn't even occur to her to say words of thanks. Her thoughts were too self-focused to even bother with civil niceties.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Nathaniel's hand move to turn the radio on. Though the volume was low it sounded too loud to her. Still, she didn't move or say anything until he did. The request to put her seat belt on would normally elicit an eye roll or a snarky comment in reply about not really being too concerned about flying out the windshield in an accident. This time she obediently unfolded her legs, letting her feet touch the floor of the car and obliged by clicking the seat belt into place.
She went back to staring out the window for several moments. Eventually she remembered hearing Nathaniel's voice in her head and this made her turn to look at him. "I knew you smelled different." No explanation was given for her statement, only that and a critical look for him to go by. "How did you know I'd hear you?" When she'd spoken to him before, at the cafe and in the street afterward, her words were always harsh and short. This time she sounded like the young girl she looked.