Pearl was becoming increasingly uncomfortable around you. It had been bad enough in her eyes that humans - Greg, Vidalia, the others - aged so quickly, but something about your increasing "maturity" just rubbed Pearl the wrong way. A constant reminder that, no matter what, you wouldn't last forever.

You sat on the couch, rambling about something or other that she couldn't follow in her current state of mind. Then, there was finally a break in your speech, and you frowned at her lack of response.

Pearl could only sigh.

"When did you get so... grown-up?"