Crystal lowers her wings a bit. "Yes. But she believed that possibility was still better than the certainty of their deaths if they stayed outside."

Nod. "I meant to look up their names -"

"You didn't ask?"

"Under the circumstances they'd have very much taken it as a threat. It itched but I didn't ask - I really hate being around them -"

Pat pat.

He looks up work permits and compares ID pictures and satisfies himself that he knows who they are.

And he gets a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hello," says a male voice. "I'm in Voa."

"I hadn't even realized the trains were running. Avalor's not expecting you until tomorrow but could probably squeeze you in today if you're in a hurry."

"I actually ran here. I can wait until tomorrow, I was just—having a hard time sitting still."

"All right. I got permission to work with you and Crystal's here at home with my boyfriend and I - do you want to talk to her -"

"—we are actually talking to each other. Just in a pitch and speed you can't catch. But thank you."

"Ah. All right. Anything else I can do for you?"

"I don't think so. Thank you for your help."

"Of course."

He hangs up.

Crystal flutters her wings.

"Is he doing all right?"

"—he has been better. We had not been apart since I—started existing. It is differently unpleasant than we'd anticipated."

"I am sorry to hear it."

"We will be fine once we are near each other again."

"I don't need to prove my point to anyone else, would you like me to take you to Voa?"

"I would not want to keep you from your duties."

"Once the trains are running, then. I can work on the train just fine."