John volunteers nothing. Yes, he is aware of the public absence of certain discussions. No, he doesn't care to translate Flint's slumped shoulders and dull fury. That all of their machinations have not gone to plan doesn't need to be spelled out any further.

And it galls John to think of how vastly awry their plans have gone. The cost is staggering.

It's the reason he's here, levering himself into a seat as Isaac speaks. John has spent so much time trying to avoid facing this head on, and yet—

"The implication that none of this has come naturally?"

He hasn't decided whether or not to contradict that concept. But it lodges in his chest, wedged like a dagger.

"Or that learning technique comes before learning the theory behind it?"