"We probably have enough of all that to keep you busy for a while, yeah. And several centuries of literature and other media in case you get bored of the practical stuff."

"And computer science! I might have to update my brain surgery."

"Your what now?"

"My computer reacts to a little chip I sprouted in my brain. It was never very popular for humans, but the chip is small enough that I didn't even need to break the skin."

"Just about the only people who get computer-interfacing brain surgery around here are jump pilots," says Miles. "They're definitely the most famous case."

"Yeah, I read about that. I am excited to see if I get trippy jump pilot reactions, although I don't think I can do my own implants without help or a lot of prep and care."

"If you turn out to have jump pilot potential, I will definitely make the case to Gregor when we get back that it would be really convenient if we got you proper jump pilot training and implants."

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Ivan?"

"...Having a second helping of pie."

"He didn't notice."

"He noticed something! I would very much like it if you did not give him anything else to notice! Yank my chain on your own time!"

Ivan sighs. "Whatever you say, Miles."

"Thank you."

"If you're concerned about him noticing, though, you're going to have to stop looking at him like you do."

"I don't! Do I?"

"Like you're about to melt."

"Oh my God," he mutters. "Really?"

"If some guy looked at me like that I would sit him down and have a very serious conversation about how he needs to understand that I am not interested in long-term relationships with men and apologize if I have misled him."

"If I can't tell when I'm doing it then how do I stop?" he wonders helplessly.

"Sit in front of a mirror, close your eyes, contemplate the miracle of Cam, open your eyes."

"Ugh."

"Does contemplating the miracle of Cam not appeal, Miles? Wings, tail, magic powers?"

"Shut up."