He doesn’t change his mind, pushing for Rama to continue with a soft nod. Change doesn’t bother him. Once upon a time maybe it would have, but he wouldn’t have made for a very good explorer if he was too set in his ways.

“You know I stopped shaving after I came to stay with the Netsilik,” he recounts, raising his chin up absently. Being tended to in this way is oddly familiar. “But before that I stayed shaved. I’d preferred it then. I suppose I’m just eager to see if I’ll feel the same as I did then if I rid myself of the beard.”