Nova blinked.

"...Surface dwellers?"

The phrase sounded strange, almost old-fashioned, like something from one of the dusty books she'd found buried beneath collapsed libraries.

She let out a quiet breath before answering the questions one by one.

"My name's Nova."

She tapped a thumb against the worn straps of her backpack.

"A scavenger's just... someone who searches the ruins. Food. Parts. Batteries. Anything people left behind that still works."

Her gaze lingered on Alia for a moment.

"I've lived out here my whole life."

A small shrug.

"Most of us have."

At the question about being alone, Nova's shoulders lifted again.

"I travel alone because it's quieter. Less mouths to feed. Less people to worry about."

She smiled faintly beneath the scratched mask.

"...And I get first pick if I find something good."

Then Alia mentioned the mask.

Nova's eyes immediately settled on the pristine filter hanging from her belt.

For a long second, she said nothing.

Finally, she looked back at Alia.

"You'd trade one of those..."

Her voice was quiet.

"...for directions?"

She shook her head.

"Keep it."

The answer came so quickly it surprised even her.

"If you've got two good filters, you're going to need both eventually."

Nova rested the pipe across her shoulders.

"I don't know who told you stories about 'surface dwellers'..."

She looked around at the empty city.

"...but you're already farther from whatever you're running from than most people ever get."

Her gray eyes met Alia's again.

"So..."

A curious tilt of her head.

"Where did you come from?"