Maybe one day Raine will tell him all the details of what Malicant did to them, why it wasn't the usual sort of war. For one, she's almost completely certain that if Genis had been in the Dreaming, Malicant would have manifested as Mithos in one way or another, and that really is something both of them could do without.

"I know," Raine says. "I know." Out of respect for his twelve-year-old sensibilities she does not pull him into a hug where everyone can see, but for a moment she doesn't sound like the adult in charge; she just sounds sad, and tired. Then it's gone, quickly enough it could have been imagined. "But we have to keep trying. At least there aren't any Desians here; that makes our job easier."

And, quietly grumbling: "The less said about the mayor, the better."