Martin took nearly as much time to answer as Bariyan did in asking. He really had no way of knowing for certain, and counting would've been impossible. He'd have hardly thought to try tracking back on the network, as technically un-savvy as he was.

"As long as I have, at least," he said, his shoulders lifting a little. "You were one of the first people I ever encountered in this place, back before." Back when the both of them were so different.