[ Ben, for his part, can tell that Kieran is perhaps abridging his answer, but he assumes it is because he's embarrassed to be more specific. Probably there are certain people who would look down on him for being from not-a-city, from working with animals. People who would assume he was backwards or unintelligent. Ben isn't going to do that. He's not one to underestimate based on looks or stereotypes. ]

People are - very complicated. And unpredictable. Animals always tell you how they're feeling, I just... don't speak the language. I can see how, if you understand the rules they go by, horses would be better.

[ Then, after a moment's pause: ]

I do better with books than people.

[ He doesn't have to admit it, at that moment, but it feels like he's leveling things for them some. Kieran had admitted people aren't perhaps his strong suit, and Ben had said that he is the same. Of course, being dead a decade and a half hadn't helped his social skills, but the truth is they hadn't been great even before that. He had his upbringing to thank for that, but just because he knows the cause doesn't mean Ben can just undo the effect. ]