"...you may not be a child, but in some ways I feel like Aidie still is. Or at least that he still has... 'the arrogance of youth'." Wry, sad smile. "He's used to being so much bigger and more difficult to hurt. He's used to humans being fragile in comparison and I don't think he's adjusted to the change, mentally. Humans weren't such a threat for him back home, and he still refuses to see them that way now."

Chris thumps her shoulder lightly, chidingly, and says, "Being your friend isn't a curse, Vika."