"I don't know what I'm comfortable explaining. In today's age with science having become so advanced and people having left religion more than even the most bitter old Siberian could have predicted, it feels almost like having beliefs that aren't even part of the 'big' religions left is something to hide. Because some part of me just thinks that people won't understand."

He leans his forehead against Dolemeck's, drinking in his words, the way the knowledge sounds old and well-rehearsed despite it being new. Little things like this give him hope. "I'm definitely going to have you tutor me in American History. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for."