Tachikoma was upstairs, playing with the animals. Puppy had attained the ability to speak, though higher thought had not come with it. Currently he was telling her about how hungry he was, and how he wanted to play and why did the cat keep looking at him funny? Anyway, he really wanted to go outside and run and Tach wouldn't make him take a bath again, would she?
Tach thought she heard her name, and sure enough, Puppy heard it too. "Hey! What's that? There's someone here! Hey! Hey! Someone's here! Let's go find out who's here! Hey!"
She picked up Arth, who was a newly tiny kitten, and put her in the pocket of her orange hoodie. "C'mon," she said to Puppy and started for the stairs. She rushed down the stairs and saw Seth. She smiled brightly. "Hi!"
"Hey, it's that guy," said Puppy, pushing in front of Tach. "Oh hey, he smells funny. Hey, mister, did you bring me any treats?"