It’s good news—some of the best news Vrenille’s had the chance to deliver in quite a while, and given everything else they’ve just been speaking of, it’s something of a balm.

“Yeah,” he nods with a smile as he lets Ed’s reaction wash over him like a warm patch of sunshine, a temporary break in the clouds.

“Real lab work. We’re both citizens now, we’ve got a contract, we’re in good standing, no citations. Far as the city’s concerned we’ve assimilated ‘bout as well as anyone can to this world. All ‘bout appearances, really—far as they’re concerned, you’re gonna work there ‘cause I like the idea,” he shrugs. “But so what—who cares what they think’s the reason.”