"Or you are like many people," the owl moves to stroke its chin with a wing, for effect. Whether or not an owl should physically be able to do that doesn't seem to be a concern. "Able to share and understand more than one experience because you live a little bit of each. Although whatever one's race, our hearts are all the same."

The owl eyes Steven. "But I've been told any changes that resulted from the carnival should reverse themselves once you leave. So you may return to being simply human and gem."