The newly transformed Morpha-Lamprydae-Starling Tribrid pup was scared at her mother’s tears, getting up in a haze of confusion. Why, if they were going to visit family, was Mother crying? When she heard her father, Elsa wanted to go to him. But the venomous tone Lähmer spoke in was enough to discourage Elsa, even if she couldn’t understand the reply.
She sat down tentatively as Mother howled for Grandma. Her mom’s eyes lingered on the soultie that bound her to Daddy. Had Daddy upset Mother, and if so, how? She snuggled closer to her mom and, bravely, said in a tremulous puppy voice, “If Daddy said something mean, I can go give him a talking-to.” She couldn’t imagine Daddy being mean, but if he had, it was up to Elsa to fix it, to make sure they didn’t hate each other and all. She didn’t think her world would stay together if she couldn’t see both of them.

“Someone like you . . . and all you know, and how you speak . . .”