Pavel leans forward, fascinated, face full of understanding.

Pavel: Wow. So you... you know how it feels, too.

Phaedra's hands surround her teacup.

Phaedra: I never thought I would, but... here I am.

She looks to the side sadly.

Phaedra: And to think... that MY fate is still far kinder than YOURS.

A close view of Pavel's pink eye. A drop of sweat forms on his brow.

Pavel: My fate? Oh... you mean...

Phaedra points toward her neck.

Phaedra: How long has it been since... YOUR bite?

Pavel begins to think about how to respond. How he answers that question could change her entire perception of him, and give away his secret. As he mulls it over, getting increasingly stressed, voices from his past fill his head...

First, the mean hat lady from the Fracture Day Festival.

Mean Hat Lady: We all know Vanna made a deal with Cheth to save that boy... How else could he have survived for so long?

Next is his own mother.

Vanna: I was ordered to keep the formula hidden until I got a go-ahead... because the timing would be disastrous.

Last, with a wry smile, is Lady Halea.

Lady Halea: ...Seven years...

With a sudden start, Pavel blurts out (possibly) the first lie he's ever told.

Pavel: SIX MONTHS!