"I..." he looked hurt. "I thought she could be your companion in the water...when I couldn't be. I never meant to hurt her. Her tail..." he said, looking straight at Geri. "I don't know whether it was a punishment or a side-effect, but when the human girl she loved rejected her, it's like...her body fought against her mermaid blood. She needs the council to restore her tail, she loves you enough she's willing to risk not living long enough to reach the council for the chance she can be like you again." He sighed. "I recognised her instantly, we went to school with her Geri, I wanted her to help us because I could tell it wasn't some sudden crush."