[they reach the house before too long. it is small, but it's in good repair. there's a windowbox or two

he lets them inside. it's pretty disorganized in here—LOTS of books and papers and trinkets strewn around. clean enough, otherwise! there are approximately a zillion bookshelves and a good smattering of houseplants

"I took care of your plants," Malise says. "Gennady helped."]

. . . My God, I've been so homesick.

[he's a house mouse at heart. goes to flop down on his couch (gotta move a stack of newspapers aside first)]