"Perhaps," Wrathion offers, "their other issues make our appearance relatively minor."

In the grand scheme of things, it could be that their lives are already so tense and complex that visitors passing through are barely worth stressing themselves over.

He moves up the steps to the farmhouse, pushes open the door and holds it for Marcos.

"And given a son of the Hok-Shinn vouched for us," he adds more quietly, "perhaps they are not allowed to do anything but embrace our party as friends."