Devin breathed deeply and exhaled slowly. He was unsteady enough that he had to pay care that his voice remained level, though that would do nothing to disguise from her how he feels. The rest of his body language was accordingly revealing of that; he did not relax at her words. Even so, he believed her as much as he was able. A part of him always clung to suspicion, to that inch of distance, that his life had demanded he always keep to himself.

"Small mercies," Devin allowed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He's been traumatized enough as it is."

Luthien was occupied with volleying her toys back and forth with Anani, eventually catching on to the idea of batting it not quite at the cat but near. If only life were so simple as they seemed to view it.

"I'll admit some surprise that we didn't melt his brain," he added dryly, clearly unamused. "Though it seems we came close."