The morning after the incident in the Fallen Friend, Tasha is on lookout while waiting for Calligenia to arrive. She's distracted by Jentz, who is on the run from his own crew after they found out that he gave away half of Captain Gent's gold to a Lapi. Tasha agrees to get him aboard the Rake, and Captain Eyeshine puts him to work under the ptera master.

Calligenia and Aaron arrive, and the Rake launches. Aaron watches Tasha drive the pteras, and the half-Vartan has trouble trying to pay attention to him, since she was focused on Calligenia. Eventually she talks to him, and gets invited down to Calligenia's cabin for 'grooming' – which Aaron finds uncomfortable.

The grooming process leaves Tasha a bit dazed.