Tim hums. It's that sort of comfort that he needs to listen to, that consideration of the potentiality of the future without him. No more Orsinov, no more Circus of the Unknown, so more attempts--at least for several years, until the Stranger can build itself back up. But that could take decades, centuries, and they could all be done and dusted by then.

"Thanks, Martin," he said. And he meant it, because it was a gentle sort of comfort that did absolutely nothing for either of them.