"That's weird. I hope Dad doesn't have that."

"I don't think it's universal."

Andi watches Trouble pet the Yeerk, thoughtful.

Eventually Bella appears, and takes the blue box out of her backpack, where it has been wrapped in a towel with a pair of swim goggles inside a plastic bag. "Last-minute objections, comments?" she inquires of the group.

"None whatsoever," says Ethan.

Bella puts the box in the bowl.

Bella wraps it up again and takes it away.

Trouble pets Aspret some more. Then he leans down to let her slurp back into his ear.

Bella is back after about the same duration of time. She notes the empty bowl, then picks it up and carries it up the stairs to dump out and wash.

Trouble... sits. Quietly. It's no longer completely obvious who's in control; he doesn't look excessively nervous, but neither is he as relaxed as usual.

"Any other Animorphs business for tonight?"

"Don't think so," says Trouble. Definitely in his own voice; Aspret uses it differently.

"Okay. I suppose we can disperse, then."

"Bye."

Trouble clears out.

So do Ethan and Robin.