Itxaro stared at Kerchak - no, [i]Kolvar[/i] - searching for any sign that this even was the same creature she'd known before. Whatever he was, it was totally alien. The other species of KA were vaguely familiar forms. Avian, reptilian, equine, but his new shape reminded Itxaro they were on a new world, and life might evolve... Unexpectedly, here. She wondered how they could even be sure he was the same Kerchak they knew before, and not some imposter, though she assumed the locals would know the dangers of this better than her. Itxaro thought of her earlier conversation with Nellara, of civilizations across the world from them that might invade one day. She had meant [i]humanity[/i] of course, but here before them was an unknown creature who admitted to spying on them. Maybe the Ascendency and Mythadia were threatened by both terrestrial [i]and[/i] alien species now.

The locals didn't seem worried by this interloper, though. The humans, on the other hand, seemed less forgiving of Kolvar's intrusion. Itxaro couldn't connect the dots with Zey's reference to lizard mind readers, thanks to the alcohol, but she kept quiet; they could solve that particular mystery later. 

The prisoner, Sh’Vetza, seemed jumpy, along with Ezra and Darnell. Itxaro wouldn't admit it, but she was becoming unnerved as well. They were far from the ship's safety, with a shapeshifting alien, and the humans were nervous and toting guns. Not a great mix, in Itxaro's world. She was on edge now, and her spine tingled as she heard something moving through the grass. She slowly positioned Ezra between herself and the new arrival, be it man or beast. Better he take the brunt of any wild hunter than her.

Luckily, it wasn't some stalking predator, just Kareet. Itxaro let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. The scholar seemed to have an idea of what was going on; certainly more than what Itxaro could piece together. However, she'd prefer to puzzle everything out by the ship, rather than in the middle of a field with grass twice as tall as her. 

[color=fff200]"Think we figure this out, ya know, back at this ship?"[/color] She looked nervously at the others.