If so it was never mentioned to Sataro, but it wouldn't surprise him if it hadn't been mentioned. 

Pause. "I assume the books have more content than 'look at me, I figured out how to do circles."

They do indeed have more content than that! There are people who have spent their entire lives studying even just one of those books! 

"Well, I hope he did a good job on them."

...yeah. 

So does he. 

Tholassi listens to the current reading, which is mostly various sorts of people Tholassi The All-merciful will slowly burn to a crisp in His glorious radiance. "Can't say I think much of the 'you will be punished no matter how much faith you have' part. Terrible incentives."

Everyone has something to atone for, in the tone of someone who has learned the phrase by rote. 

"If I'm going to burn you alive for liking men whether or not you have faith why would you have faith?"

Because it shouldn't be that mercenary! That's not faith, that's just wanting to not get burned alive! 

"Why would I threaten to punish people if not to change their behavior?"

(Ashka is staring at him with a miserable expression )

He glances over at Ashka, when he can. Tries to make eye contact. 

It's — it still shouldn't be about just avoiding pain, that's still not faith, he isn't sure of very much anymore but that he's firm on. 

Ashka doesn't look less pained.

"Well, you're the human expert."

He doesn't stop looking over at Ashka. 

"...That is one miserable human," Tholassi remarks.

Sataro still doesn't know what's wrong or why. 

"Uh, well, the general theme here seems to be something like 'the only person who matters in the world doesn't like me and he's going through something really hard and I can't help him because I fucked up and I don't know what I did and for a few hours I thought I would have something good in my life and now I will never have anything good again,'" Tholassi reports. "Why are all humans so messed up."

He feels slightly itchy with how much he wants services to be over so he can talk to Ashka. 

Eventually they wrap up.

He catches Ashka on their way out and says, "Can we talk?" 

"Yes."

Then they can go to either Sataro's cell or Ashka's, whichever is closest, and then they're inside and in private Sataro hugs him. 

Ashka's face goes soft and peaceful.

"Great! More human mating rituals!"