"The two tend to grow with time," he says, agreeing with studying his companion, closing the door quietly behind them. "When we can help with the one without adding to that, it's a good day."

It's not always possible, but that's reality, such as it is. He doesn't guess their circumstances are so different across worlds than his own as to prevent all possible interpersonal conflict.

"How much shorter were both your concerns and your hair when you first met him?"