I still find the concept of being marked "other" to the extent that every part of the ecosystem hates you to be a somewhat unscientific concept (like how does the Severance work if it's only applied topically?)

But the twist in this one was interesting enough that I'm willing to forgive the maybe-plot-holes (humans have killed each other for less. They wouldn't respect each other THAT much). 

I'm familiar with All Tomorrows by C.M. Kosemen, so I wasn't too squicked out by it. Cool read.