Devero holds against the embrace at first, so stiff he's almost trembling in Koumyou's arms. That beaten hound is still so ready for the disciplining hand to fall, but as ever with Koumyou, it doesn't. And after that thrumming moment of fear, Devero all but collapses into the priest's arms.

"Thank you," he mumbles. "I'm--" His voice drops as he admits what's been hiding under the technology frustration and the crippling lack of self-confidence. "I'm scared."