Pavel clutches the octopus tightly, looking off to the side.

Pavel: I ran because of the glass... and the scream. But you aren't scary at all. You're just sad and hungry. And that's normal for seaghosts.

Phaedra raises a hand to her chin, impressed.

Phaedra: I... I suppose so... Goddess... I thought someone like YOU would be terrified of me.

Pavel: Someone like me?

The red eyes in the grate look sadly toward Pavel. Then they shift, looking angrily toward Phaedra. The princess's hand clenches anxiously on her knee.

Phaedra: Well... uh... that is to say... you're... um...

Pavel keeps looking to the side, sadly. Phaedra and Katja look on, worried.

Pavel: It's okay... You can talk about my seabite. You don't need to feel bad.

Phaedra lifts her teacup to her face, looking off to the same side, concerned.

Phaedra: Forgive me if it's rude or taboo... and I can't say I've gone through what you have... but... I got bitten too. Right before I... died.

Pavel's eyes go wide, and he turns back toward her.

Pavel: Wait... you... YOU DID?! Where? How?

Phaedra raises her right hand.

Phaedra: My right arm, mostly. I fell off the back of the Luna and into the sea. They got me before I even hit the water.