Janius put a hand on Kaleeth's shoulder. "It's not all bad," Janius said. "Things have changed. Not all of the changes are negative." He looked across the people around them. "Hear what people are saying? We raised a good child. They ought to remember that, right?"

[hr]
"Okay," Rhazii said. He was not reassured, likely because of Ahnasha's choice of words. He lowered his knees and sat cross-legged. He leaned back on his hands while he spoke. "Living longer sounds nice, don't get me wrong. I...I don't like the thought of outliving everyone else, though. Julan is my best friend -- he would get old. All of my friends would get old. The rest of the pack would get old. I don't have a partner, but [i]she[/i] would get old. I mean, it's the whole reason you said you did it, right mother? To be with father. I don't know if I have anyone like that. And if I do later on, she might not even be an elf. I don't even really feel attracted to elves." He sighed. "Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud."