Gen wasn't fishing for reassurance, but he was still glad to hear that. He grinned playfully, not letting on how comforting that was. "You're one of the lucky ones, I know some can be quite peeved by my antics ..."

But he sobered again, and nodded. "I can talk to him. He's probably not used to people like us, who are a little allergic to sap. Or he's run into that before and assumes it's because he's done something wrong. It's a simple misunderstanding, I believe - unless I'm reading this all wrong - I'll help get you both on the same page."