"In a good way," she clarifies. Scary the way Maggie is, when she wants to be--so capable and forceful that you might as well try to talk down a hurricane. Beth's starting to think everyone should be able to draw up that kind of scariness when they need to, just in case they need to someday.

She listens to Rani's explanation in a slightly embarrassed silence. Talking about all this history, history she's still about fifty percent sure is about her Earth, reminds her of how much she never learned. Having the opportunity now--a second chance that's more like a continuation of her first chance--counts for something, and she won't squander it, but it's a rocky learning phase.

Luckily, Rani doesn't seem to mind, and her explanation of Bai draws a smile back to Beth's eyes. "That's nice. Respectful."

Rani alone seems kind of rude by comparison, even if it's part of a title as well.