"I'm sure I'll manage to suffer through it," Seth replies with a smile he hopes is encouraging. "Who knows, maybe some of it will stick and I'll even learn something. Like what the hell omphalo- whatever means." Which sounds a bit like he's making a reference to the vast difference in education between them, and let's just sail right past that. They don't need any more self-pity or self-critique in this conversation.

"Just as long as you don't quiz me on it afterwards, I think we'll be okay," he adds, giving Daniel's shoulder a pat before stuff his hands back in his pockets.