[ Alan cocks his head to consider both Viktor and the questions, hooking his thumbs into his pockets. He does keep ending up around inquisitive sorts, doesn't he. Birds of a feather, he supposes Jack or Violet would say. His feathers aren't quite so technical as Edwin Courcey's, though, or this man's. ]

If I knew what was causing them, I'd tell you, but the best I can do is "magic." [ He shrugs. ] Something changes or something new turns up about every month, as far as I've seen. I think most of it's temporary, [ he adds, his tone turning thoughtful, ] now that you mention. There were cabins in the Vale around Christmas -- winter -- but they're not there now.