As time went on, Rem began to recover. Isira bathed her in the underground hot spring, a chamber in their cave-home usually reserved for quiet evenings between her and Renen. Sharing it with Rem now, guiding her gently into the water, felt like crossing some unspoken threshold. To some extent, this act solidified the parental bond between her and Rem. Rem, however, didn't go quietly. She eyed the steaming pool like it was an enemy ambush.
"It's just water," Isira said with a soft chuckle. "You'd think I asked you to wrestle a crocodile."
Eventually, with enough coaxing and reassurance, Rem dipped in. Isira carefully scrubbed away the layers of grime and illness. When she finally saw the girl's face clean, and her hair no longer stuck to her scalp in sweaty mats, she paused and smiled.
"There you are, sweetheart," she said, gently gathering the girl's wild hair into her hands. "You've got such a pretty face under all that mischief. How about I do your hair, hmm?"
Rem blinked slowly. Then nodded.
Later, Renen returned home from Sefu's bar, slightly buzzed and wiping his hands on his robe. He blinked at the sight of Isira sitting with a calmly seated Rem, combing through her hair.
"Oi, Isira. Who's that random brat in our house?"
Isira looked up, grinning. "That 'random brat' is Rem. Don't you recognize her?"
"What? That's Rem? No way! She looks completely different!"
"I know, right? Teehee!"
"By the way," Renen said, pointing behind him with his thumb. "I brought Dr. Yeun. Said he wanted to check up on her."
"The good doctor, huh?"
Dr. Yeun appeared in the doorway, bowing respectfully. "Pardon the intrusion, Your Majesties. I just came to check on the young one, if that's all right."
"Oh no, by all means, go ahead," said Isira, scooting aside.
Dr. Yeun knelt beside Rem and began his examination, gently lifting her eyelids, peering behind her tongue, and checking her ears with practiced care.
"So, little one," he asked kindly. "Do you have a name?"
Rem stayed quiet, glancing sideways.
"Her name is Rem," Isira said, brushing a hand over the girl's shoulder. "Ren named her."
"I see. Rem, huh?" Dr. Yeun chuckled warmly. "That sounds just like him."
He placed the back of his hand against her forehead, then checked her temperature properly. The reading came back normal.
"That's a relief. You two really have taken excellent care of her."
"Hmph! Isira did most of the work," Renen grumbled, crossing his arms.
"You should give yourself more credit, numb-numb," Isira teased, nudging him playfully with her elbow.
Dr. Yeun smiled, glancing between the two. "You're in good hands, kid."
Rem looked up at him, then slowly turned her gaze to Isira and Renen. They were still gently bickering like old friends. As they noticed her eyes on them, they both turned and smiled. She just stared. Her wide eyes caught in something she didn't yet have the words for.