"Dear, you do not get to be my age without learning a bit about reading faces. And I promise you, that is not one of my many talents." Her Russian accent seems more pronounced. Perhaps she thinks this makes her seem less threatening.

"What isn't?"

"Mind reading. I imagine my children were a little much to deal with?"

"I dunno which of them were yours."

"All of them except the little boy who looks like he bathes in paint."

"The mermaid too?"

"I think he prefers merboy. And no, he is just a friend of my daughter. Maybe more than a friend give or take four years, who knows? He is a funny little creature."

"He thinks spearing people is okay."

"You must understand, dear, Michael lives in a culture that has yet to develop the technology to hold and care for prisoners. They only execute mer that have done terrible, terrible things. I hope someday they will not have to. Try not to see his kind as monsters."

"Develop the technology...? But we have it."

"Sadde, as tempting as it might be to swoop in and remodel mer into what we would consider 'civilised', these things must be handled with care. At the time being, I would think things like medicine are a higher priority. I saw Michael sulking on a rock as I flew home. Did you two have a fight? You're not going to get in trouble."

"You don't need to swoop in or remodel anything, just give them stuff. Or sell them stuff. And he said his people would spear my dad."

"Oh, I apologise on his behalf. I'll try to explain why that was uncalled for next time I see him. I'm sure he was only trying to be nice. He really is a sweet boy."

"'S fine."

"So, what about mine? I'm sorry I didn't warn you about Hannah."

"That she likes eavesdropping and then mocking people for being more reasonable than her?"

"I was more thinking about the shape shifting lifeform lurking around the island. You took that part rather well, I must say."

"There are superheroes back home, too."

"Glad to know."

"So...?"

"You strike me as having personal experience with powers."

"New York has lots of capes. I got here 'cause of one."

"Oh. Perhaps if that cape was what launched you, Erwin was what brought you down?"

"Maybe. I dunno, this place doesn't look like it has the same kinds of powers."

"How so?"