"The fields come from objects I conjure," he corrects.

"To clarify, you think the object creates force fields because of its construction, rather than it just being the result of your powers?"

"Yeah."

"Jeanette is just going to love you."

"I am very lovable."

"That won't help you much with Jeanette."

"What will?"

"Being fascinating-and I think you've got that down pretty well."

"That's totally part of being lovable!"

She laughs. "Some people consider Michael lovable. Even with the spearing." 

He grimaces.

"Same with Nemo, even with her seeming desire to create an aquatic master race."

Sigh.

"There are worse foibles."

"What's that mean?"

"Put it this way: She'll get over it."

"If you say so. But what does that word mean?"

"Oh, my apologies. It means little flaws or quirks, more or less."

"Oh. Yeah I guess."

"At least the coming dawn of the grey skinned Miracle things will be adorable."

He wrinkles his nose. "Am I the only one who thinks the gray skin looks weird?"

"I glow in the dark, and my son's best friend has rainbow skin, who's to judge?'

"Well, okay, I guess, it's just Michael kept saying it was the best thing and I should be mer and I like my skin and don't want my fingers to be all together. Or to have fangs. Or claws."

"I think he just likes the idea of other hybrids. And human teeth must seem awfully blunt to him."

"I don't get why he likes physical things so much. And why mer don't have technology, he didn't know, why don't they trade things with humans?"