[And it's true. His work doesn't have to be something he loves. It can be something that he vaguely tolerates at best, day after day after day of unending tedium. Boredom. Uselessness. It's fine. He has the best daughter in the world, and isn't that enough? Unlike many other Belobogians, he doesn't have to worry about money. His needs are met.

Sampo's still following him.]

I suppose so. [Then:] As I'm sure you're curious, my daughter - Lily's - mother was an offworlder. She stayed for a while, grew bored of Belobog as well as me, and left. [Sometimes, driving someone off doesn't come in the form of fists and punches, and Gepard knows better than to believe he could drive Sampo off that way. It never worked before, and now, well. Well. He's much less than he used to be.

So, instead, why not this? Sampo would inevitably treat him with the same vague pity as everyone else did, the conversation would falter, and he'd find an excuse to go. (Which he? Does it matter?)]