"Sure," Reiner says, happy for the distraction. "I'm in the military back home; I have been for most of my life. I was in the middle of … a lot of stuff before coming here. This is a welcome respite.

"I'm my mom's only child, so it's just the two of us. But I have an aunt and an uncle, and a younger cousin named Gabi." His expression shifts, fondness in his eyes. "She's wonderful. A real little spitfire. And she's so much wiser than I was at her age."

That fondness changes to quiet amusement as he watches Natsume dig in, making a complete mess. Reiner is far more reserved in his eating—but he, too, seems to be enjoying it.

"Magic doesn't exist where I'm from. Not like it does here. It's been an adjustment."