"It was a joke," I say with a glance down to the irritated ferret fussing on top of the pile of clothes. I don't know how it's possible for a ferret's face to look insulted, but somehow, of course, Ravi has managed it.

"I think you're going to be fine. This is—" I break off, trying to decide if it's worth articulating the possible nuances of living inside what is basically the Matrix. "It's probably a test. Everything else has been temporary, there's no reason to think this won't be, too."