"I need to learn," A hiccuped, as Schrodinger and Einstein swarmed around him. "I can't let Karasu hurt me. I can't let him hurt you. And, and, Karasu won't be the only one. Before him there was B. After him there might be someone else. And I won't, I, I, I can't, I won't let someone be hurt because I wouldn't learn." He rocked against her, taking comfort from her reassurance. "And how can I not be learning something? I'm supposed to always be learning, always learning new things."