"If it's not there, it's probably under the couch." Priestly looked up at the doctor. "Red pandas like to hide things."

"Sounds like ferrets," the doctor said. "Do you want to feel the blade on your palm? Sometimes that helps kids with the nervousness."

"I'm good," Priestly said. "We've both actually done this before, so. Not, like, often," he rushed to assure the now thoroughly bemused looking doctor. "Just, you know, at least once. I used to play football."

He was babbling. Just a little.