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"Well, I guess you knew her better that I did," Faye says. "I certainly didn't think she'd turn on me like that." Faye smiles. "But I'm glad that you actually are understanding," she says. "I knew you would be, but sometimes it's hard, even when you trust the person." The nervous electrical storm radiating from her dissipates. "I just wanted to make sure that was taken care of before going to sleep. With everything going on, I wanted to make sure that it was something I got out in the open."

As you close the drifting catch behind you, the realization strikes you. Without Tephra, you're now the human expert responsible for two fragile human lives. Maybe that's the higher purpose that Estre was searching for. Keeping the humans safe. And why not? The community should be more involved in their well-being. You smile. You'll present the idea to Estre and Ichtare later.

But for now, you shake through your own worries and focus on talking with your friends.

Faye sighs. "Listen, there's something that I wanted to talk about with you about, Kavitha. It's about the whales." You feel Tamru stiffen at the words. Faye continues, "They offered me a gift. To transform me into a woman. And then when the squid attacked, I realized that I wanted to take their offer more than anything. And I was so scared, because it felt like I wasn't going to get the chance. I don't want to get caught out like that again." She closes her eyes. "So I'm taking the deal. I'm going to go with Ichtare, I've decided. I thought about asking you, Kavitha, but I don't know. Some part of me hopes that you'll remember me as I was. Maybe being absent will help with that."

Tamru's face falls. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

Faye looks at you, and you can see the doubt clouding her face.