Puff pads over to see what Olivia is doing, and unsteadily climbs up Alec's thigh and onto his lap, sniffing at his arm.

"He's a dark creature. We aren't sure, exactly. Simon told me he looks like him, but a child. And he's eating the magic in our world. He's more than a mage, he's a monster. Simon is philosophized to take him down. Lot of good it does here, of course," I add, but I'm not sour about it. I nurse my drink, trying to think of problems from home instead of the one I'm currently stuck in.

"I was glad, when I realized the Humdrum hadn't come with us. I guess it doesn't matter, trouble finds Simon wherever he goes."