"I admit to being terribly curious to meet any who are here," Merwen says. "Our history tells us that the old humans who left their home of Torr and spread through the galaxy found many strange worlds and beings, but none that had souls, at least not that they could recognise." She gestures vaguely. "Though whether they would have recognised a soul in so different a body is a matter for some debate. To know that they truly do exist is quite... exciting."

She smiles, a little bashfully, because this is a silly thing for a grown woman and mother of three to think about.