Jade finds herself smiling a little at Lucas’s incredulity, but just halfway. She wonders what it would’ve been like, had they been British and placed here from the start. Would she still talk to Lucas? Her own voice echoes through her head as it has so often, now, reminding her that she probably wouldn’t have. She’d have nothing to use him for.

But the mischief in an Azurcrest’s eye is contagious and stronger than the mimic’s reminder. Jade pushes it back and lights up, too. Her voice goes low. “It’s pretty important to prove our superiority up front. And cats don’t need teachers’ passes.”