“You could word it that way, I guess,” Bayani told him. “I was born in a different country. I’m really glad that my parents brought me to America, though, because meeting Peter has been fantastic.”

Nashtra must have understood what he meant even though he he had given any obvious clues or said anything direct. “The two of you care for each other a great deal.”

Peter’s eyes widened. He looked like he wanted to yell and scold, but instead he bit his tongue and kept quiet.

“That will not be a problem here,” Nashtra told him. “You do not have to be uncomfortable. In Summerlay, the only people I have seen have trouble choosing whom to be with are the nobles.”

“Because their parents want to arrange their marriages for them? Cerys asked.

Nashtra gave a slight nod. “More or less, yes. Still, were people a nobleman’s son, his father would be wise in choosing for him another son of nobility to join houses with.”

“Sounds pretty idyllic,” Peter scoffed.

“I think you mean idealistic,” Himeko told him.

Her correction brought her a glare from Peter. “Whatever. It’s too bad Earth can’t be the same way.”

“From the way you are talking,” Nashtra said, keeping his tone calm in hopes that the others would do the same, “the feelings you have are not accepted where you come from?”

Peter stared at him for a moment, contemplating showing him the bruises that he had sustained from the high school bullies purely because he liked boys. He glanced at his sister and thought better of it. Instead he just replied, “A lot of people back home hate people like me.”

Nashtra raised his brown in disbelief. “That is a terrible thing to hear. Is it not the same for you as it is for us, that it is as natural for you to be with Bayani as it would be for me to be with my sweet Lady Rynelle?”

“It is natural,” Himeko agreed. “Actually, on Earth there are many cultures who accept it, even embrace it. The problem is that the groups who do hate it are loud and violent about it.”

Peter scoffed his agreement, but offered no further comment.

“That is disappointing to hear,” Nashtra said. “Peter, I assure you that here, nobody shall bring you harm because of whom you have feelings for. As for anything else that happens in your quest, I shall be here to look after you.”