[Septimus actually pauses, looking quite thoughtful. Beneath that, he is suddenly, painfully reminded of his close call at Seven Hills--if he'd had that kind of help-- (He doesn't bother thinking about Calderon Valley. It wouldn't have ended any other way.)]

No. No, the... sustaining someone so close to death might be very helpful. I hope we'd never have to [only a faint tightening of his eyes, barely noticeable, shows how ill the thought makes him] but if it gives me time to work, we might well save lives.

We should definitely talk--I'm sure there's a lot we could teach each other. [Even if--arrogantly or not--he suspects the teaching will in greater part be his. In his mind he can hear his father's voice: 'Children.' And Sep knows it would be about himself as much as Tris.] Especially in case the two ways of healing might interfere with each other.