Why is it not the same? [he can kind of guess, getting a degree is different than learning for the sake of it. and he nods.] Yes, I am an engineer. My own degree was in biomedical engineering and robotics, though my work took me elsewhere. A surprisingly useful skillset for this place, as it turns out.

[it takes a lot of effort for his lips not to quirk at that. a very typical thing for a young man to say, though frankly viktor thinks he's right that there' no need to remind him, especially a kid who's been through a lifetime of misery it sounds like.]

I apologize- it must be frustrating, but I think you might be one of the youngest here. I have no doubt people will fixate on it. [and a considering pause.] Well, there are odd animals here you could study. I've only seen some in passing, those hounds that eat corruption, or the skittish, dark horses. I'm uncertain how much study goes into any of it.