[He shakes his head.] We're not even sure who they are. And until recently, kedan haven't been... all that fond of us. Foreigners. That's changing since we helped heal the turtle when it was sick. That was the food shortage.

We're dependent on Tu Vishan for our energy, [he goes on, warming to this topic, voice losing most of its hesitation and stumbling.] Powers, food, electricity, you name it. Life itself, probably. That's what I've been doing research on.

But it's-- slow going. It's half science and half... magic. Not really my area. [There's a dry note of distaste that Bruce doesn't try to hide, but he doesn't seem all that aggravated about it anymore.]