Norman wasn't generally accustomed to giving out such things, but then this was a special case. How many customers after all could say they helped save a foreign dignitary? Not many, just these three right here in fact. That deserved a big reward, and the only thing he could offer with his expertise was some work on Cecil, free of charge. Though the Machina had initially been hesitant to accept his help, after some convincing it seemed like he'd go along with it. Hearing Amuné call Ethan something completely wrong, and seeing the look of surprise on the boy's face, he gestured for Cecil to come over to his side so they might speak a bit more in private; no way was he going to be in the middle of [i]that[/i]. He had said he'd be willing to do more than he'd listed, yet Norman hadn't quite anticipated everything that Cecil was going to ask for. Work he could do, he could tune-up any Machina and make it like brand new, better even. But all of that? 

"The tank of oil is no problem, I've got jars and jars of it lying around the place. That I can do for you... But telling you why you were made? Cecil I can't tell you that, I don't know if anyone but the person who designed you can. I'll take a look at your coding and see what I can find, sure, but I can't make any promises." What Cecil had just asked for was equivalent to asking someone why you existed, hardly an easy request to fill. Unlike most Machina too Cecil was wholly unique, enough so that he didn't appear to have any particular design plan. Was he a combat unit? Utility? Companion? A whole different kind that he'd not seen before? The latter most likely, as generally a Machina was built for one of those three aforementioned purposes. "I'll do that in a bit though, let's get your tune-up outta the way, okay? After that I'll see what I can do for you."

Had the little girl just mistaken the Muran for an Ydran? Nymira was surprised, they didn't look remotely similar even to someone with as limited experience as herself. Amuné seemed to be earnest about that though, and they really ought to correct her. Letting her think that this Ethan was one of her own wasn't fair, and she'd only be upset if she was allowed to continue thinking that. "Little one, there's something you should know..." the Dimuran woman began, "Ethan..."

"Yeah, I got it Nymira! What she was going to say was Machina don't have mommies or daddies," Ethan interrupted quickly, smiling as he spoke, "See... Machina are made in a factory or something, I think. They're not made like we are, so they don't really have a mom or a dad. Well... Unless you count the person who made them, but then that's not really how it works either..." Oh great, now he'd confused himself with his own bit. Could they just leave it at Cecil not having any proper parents? They needed a change of topic awfully quick, maybe they could get looking at the map now? Turning his focus back to the sheet of paper on the table he began by finding where Galloway itself was, doing so easily enough. Then, following the compass in the corner eastward he was able to see where the nearest three towns were. Lifting his head to glance at Amuné as she commented on his reading ability, Ethan grinned sheepishly and rubbed at his neck.

"I can read a map alright, it's following directions that gets me," he explained, pointing towards the doors, "If we were out there then I couldn't tell East from West, or North from South. I have to ask people all the time which way is which, and I'm fine until I stop, then I get all turned around and confused again." That... And maybe he had noticed one or two things about what the others were up to. He HAD been taught before, believe it or not, he'd just never had to use any of that information until now. Back home he just knew where everything was, there was no need for cardinal directions to help him get around. Out here though? "So like I said, three towns, just no idea what ones to stop at," Ethan continued, tilting his head slightly as he looked at them in thought. The biggest would be their safest bet, yet they had no clue where to head or which one was the largest. He supposed they could ask Norman when he was done with Cecil, might not be such a bad idea. 

While deliberating that, Ethan glanced up when he heard Amuné meekly ask him about about her parents again. It broke his heart hearing her so upset, and he could tell she was just barely keeping it together. Knowing the pain she felt all too well, the Muran offered up a sympathetic smile and moved around the table to her side, kneeling down and giving her a hug. "You said your mommy was a healer, right? Well she'll take care of him, I'm sure of it. If he was hurt badly... It would make sense they'd come out here, don't you think? The cities are where all the latest, greatest things are, and it's where some of the best healers probably work too. If your daddy was hurt then that's where I bet he'd be taken," Ethan explained, pulling back and smiling as he reached out and booped Amuné lightly on the tip of her nose, "We'll find them, I'm sure of it. Maybe it won't be for a little bit, but don't give up hope just yet, okay?"

What a moron... Lying to Amuné like that, he had to know the truth. If the child's mother was concerned despite being a healer then it was very serious, perhaps beyond her control. And what had even injured him anyways? Nymira had a guess, though she loathed to think the Church had extended so far. Ydrans tended to be almost like Dimurans in the sense they kept largely to themselves, with rare exceptions of course. And while she didn't wholly know the territory of Amuné's people, if it was anything like hers then she was largely removed from the rest of society. Even if there was someone who could help, would her father last all the way? Despite knowing just how unlikely anyone surviving what sounded to be a serious wound, she couldn't bring herself to tell Amuné that either. Like Ethan, Nymira could only muster up a small smile and nod, trying to reassure the little girl as best she could. She'd have to face the reality some day, today just wasn't that day.