( Jonathan meaning nothing to him beyond indicating the name of a person she knows, Victor nods, more subtly perturbed and amused by the actions of the birds. In deference to the eagle, whose beak and talons he'd respect even if promised she were the most tame bird in existence, he stays where he is, posture relaxed. )

It's good to have someone who can help you with new vocabulary. ( Things he'll miss the internet for, if this is really going to be mostly offline for the next... year. He tucks that thought away. Books were helps on their own. Which, actually, what language was he speaking? He'd thought it was Russian at first, since he'd been in St. Petersburg before he was here, but... hm. )

Do you mind if I ask what the book's about?