Stone pauses to consider that. "It would probably be easier to say it happened now than ten days ago, at least," he finally agrees, reluctantly. "Then I wouldn't have to explain why I didn't tell them from the start."

He shakes his head, frustrated and impatient with thinking too hard. "Come on. Let's just go introduce you to the Arbora first, and maybe by the time you get to Pearl they'll love you and she'll have to give in. If you want to stay with the colony, that is."

Belatedly, he realizes he ought to at least make sure of that.