"Easy there, Tough guy," Zay groaned, "Not everyone has had to deal with this before." Noru went tense. His face tightened. Coarse lines ran down his temples and around his eyes like little streams, as if he'd been suddenly overcome by a flood of doubt and anger. Zay looked at him sternly. "Marilyn, the Venbu," Zay said quietly. The girl stood still. He turned towards her with a warm smile. "At your own pace."