The next part must be done delicately, but honestly. Popp deserves the truth that Themis suspects. But it does not feel good to know that he will deliver such a blow. Though he knows Popp will perhaps not appreciate the style of comfort he's about to employ, far more fitting it is for one younger than the boy, his heart urges him to do so regardless.

And so he shushes Popp, softly. Brings a hand to stroke through unruly hair the way an adult would do to a frightened child. It's meant to calm, to soothe, though he does not linger in it overlong. The truth must be given, after all.

"From what I know of him, he may indeed suspect it to be, though not from any revelations from you - more the lack thereof. I am certain he knows that he was your mentor at some point, and could have drawn his own conclusions based upon that fact." What we do not speak of reveals more than what we do, he does not say.