"Most good aliases are." If he'd known at the start that he would be adopting this name for himself with finality, he might have given it slightly more thought. But Peter isn't so ill-suited to him when all is said and done. This place has certainly done a good job of showing him he is not so unique. He doesn't need a stand-out name.

"It may have no effect on your future here, but the past always matters, Ava," he reminds her gently, while smoothing the comb through yet a new section of hair.

"Is it presumptuous of me to assume that you experienced little in the way of care and kindness in that orphanage?"