KINDRED SCIENCE SPIRITS. Armin nods eagerly, making sure all his little buddies are clustered around him -- Meredith, Nim, Famke, Murgatroyd, okay, good. Well, Famke the little Espurr is toddling over to stare intently at Takuro, but that still counts.

"Excellent! I'd love a companion -- it makes things much more scientifically efficient."