"Dierdre won't hate her. She's not the one who's been lying. I...Dierdre will lash out, but she won't hate Niabheara." He grimaced. "I don't see how it would be more awkward coming from her. It would be better. They'd need to talk about it anyhow."

"Sprog's biggest fear is that everyone will hate her. If you haven't figured that one out yet, I can't help you." Scarlet rolled her eyes. "She didn't get it from me, I'll say that much."

Marcello snorted. "I know that much," he replied. "How exactly does a daughter of Emerald become your avatar? And obviously one of your favorites, too?"

"Simple. Nialls beat Dowds." She grinned at him, then shook her head. "Nah, it has nothing to do with that, it has nothing to do with anything. I mean, technically the woman's got a brown daughter, a red daughter, and a blue grandson. Entirely chance."

Marcello burst out laughing. "Starling is Blue's?"

Her eyebrows went up in genuine oh-no-you-didn't surprise. "Oh my god, you couldn't tell? I mean, not all of Blue's guys are batshit crazy."

"Honest?" Marcello asked. "I haven't spent that much time around him. I guess I assumed he was another one of Emerald's, since he takes after her so much."

"Emeralds are few and far between," she said, mysteriously, "and mostly they are female. I don't know why that is. Probably because no one could stand 'em if there were too many."

"And women have more of a need to be free?" Marcello ventured. He shrugged. "Do you think Brammie could help with this, then?" he asked. "Do...blues understand other blues better, maybe?"

"Corresponding colors usually sort of recognize one another. They don't always like each other for that reason, but they tend to understand one another. But Star's seventeen," she said bluntly. "He's a kid."