"He was a bit difficult," Kaya laughed, "and he drove my teacher nuts. So your answer is yes, he was a wonderful man and more. I would have loved to see him do more alchemy, to be honest. That was him at his most brilliant."

She looked over at the place. "The fact that you're doing it at all is something that's an asset to us all. Don't sell yourself short: I'm sure you will do fine."

The last question, however, made Kaya look reflective, and even a little sad. "I was, once, but I was still me. In the end, I guess I just am getting over NOT being her."