"Well, you already know about my parents," Nico said. "And the Avengers. I don't think I've ever heard an adult calmly and sincerely apologize to a kid. Even when it's something stupid or inconsequential, no apologies, just disapproving silence."

She took another bite of her fritter. "Maybe your universe has a higher percentage of adults who aren't stupid than mine does. It wouldn't be the weirdest difference between our realities."