[Palamedes makes a face, furrowed brow and tight grimace at the very notion. Ah yes. Atomic dust. A fascinating thing to be.]

I'd pull through. Maybe I'll get points for showing initiative.

[Which always worked when he was a precocious little brat one-upping adults in their chosen field of study, so! Why not try that again. He lets his grimace slide back to something more neutral and friendly, and looks down to gently nudge a crab off his shoe with his opposite foot. Hm!]

Well! In the meantime, do you want to look for squids with me? I'm supposed to be taking notes, after all.