8. What’s Cooking
Chapter 8
What’s Cooking
Artifex
“ I t’s a little dim,” Queen Isabella commented as they exited her chamber.
Artifex glanced down the passage lined with the consorts’ chambers. He could plainly see, but their queen had different physiology. He’d swiftly grown comfortable with their new queen, and it was easy to forget she was from far away and unfamiliar with everything in their hive. He double-checked nothing was on the floor as he carefully led her into the queen’s private cascade.
“Let me show you how to illuminate the columns.” He placed her hand on the rolling sphere embedded in the wall just inside the entrance.
“Oh, it’s nothing like a light switch. Geez I’m short,” Isa commented, though her mouth didn’t move. “Thank you,” she added in her lyrical voice.
“No need to thank me, my queen. Simply turn the sphere until the columns are as bright as you wish. The spheres will be in a similar location when you enter a chamber,” he explained.
Isa turned the sphere until he was squinting at how bright she made the room.
“Oh sorry. Is that too bright?” She cringed. “Be considerate, Isa, their eyes are larger. They probably are more affected by the light.” Again, she didn’t vocalize as she reached for the adjustment sphere a second time.
Artifex smiled, amused that they’d had similar observations about each other.
“My queen, no need to adjust it.” He grabbed her hand to halt her before she adjusted the sphere again. “I believe my eyes do take in more light than yours while in the dark interior of the hive. We do go outside regularly, though, and I can adjust to very bright sunshine.”
Queen Isabella’s mouth dropped open as he spoke. It was her shocked expression. It then occurred to him, when their queen’s mouth was closed, she’d been unintentionally projecting her private thoughts.
“I have already surprised you,” he grimaced, “so I might as well add that you are not too short. I find your diminutive size adorable, and perhaps I am overly tall,” he chuckled.
“You heard what I was thinking!” She gaped at him.
“You project your internal thoughts much the way we regularly communicate.”
“I guess I should’ve expected that. Crap, that’s embarrassing. I hope I haven’t said anything unkind.” Queen Isa’s brow furrowed and she cringed, baring her blunt teeth.
Artifex thought on it. “No,” he replied, not recalling anything that offended him in any of their conversations. Even if she had conveyed something unkind, he would’ve kept it to himself. “It just occurred to me you weren’t doing it intentionally.”
“Oh good.” Isa’s shoulders eased. “I’ve been shell shocked.”
“I understand, my queen, truly, I do.” He gently squeezed her shoulder. “Let me show you the cascade, since I’m certain it is different than what you are familiar with, or maybe it’s not.” Artifex tipped his head toward the angled trough with a ledge seat at the lower end. “Similar to the light, roll this sphere to open the water valve. You relieve yourself in the lower section,” he pointed, “and clean your hands here in the upper section of the cascade.”
“Okay. Do you bathe in here, too?” The queen looked around.
“No. We have a separate space for that.”
“Ah.”
The queen went to the lower end of the cascade, then her furry brows drew together. He immediately saw what was wrong as she stood next to the carved stone ledge. Despite what he said earlier about her being the perfect size, their queen was a bit short for the cascade.
“I will have our craftsmen make a step for you.” He gripped his queen’s hips and lifted her up, setting her on the ledge.
“Thanks,” she said as she scooted her delicious curvy rump to the edge of the channel containing the flowing water. She then pointedly stared at him, her eyes widening.
“Now you simply make water or whatever. It will be washed away. I assure you it doesn’t mix with our drinking or bathing water,” he encouraged her.
“I got the idea, thank you. Um, could you maybe wait outside, please?” Her cheeks reddened slightly as she made the request.
Ah, my queen requires privacy.
“Of course, my queen. Call to me if you need assistance.” Artifex strode out of the cascade room. There was no door so he leaned against the arched entrance to wait and keep anyone else from disturbing their queen’s private time.
Phara, the consort betas, and Bellator were still in the queen’s chamber. However, the hallway was filling with consort gammas, deltas, and omegas who’d exited their chambers to catch a glimpse of their queen.
If she feels embarrassed by handling her necessities, she probably wouldn’t appreciate an audience waiting outside. Artifex smirked as he waved them back into their chambers.
“Talking telepathically is going to take time to get used to,” Isa said, pulling his attention away from the disappointed consorts retreating into their quarters. “Do you have private thoughts at all?”
“We do. I’m just more experienced at shielding them,” he replied in amusement. “We also have a vocal language, but it’s very simple. We make the vibrato when we’re happy or attempting to console someone. We may snarl like the fauna if angered or yip in excitement. It’s more common among hatchlings until their cognitive functions mature,” he tried to explain.
“Vibrato, that’s the purring vibrating hum, right?”
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“Wow. I have so much to learn.” She sounded daunted.
“Do not fear, my beautiful queen, we have time. There is no rush. I think we both have much to learn about each other , and even about ourselves. I’m looking forward to it.” He resisted the urge to look over his shoulder at the stunning female who had changed their world in an instant.
“Awe, he’s the sensitive, sexy, intellectual type,” Queen Isa said.
He perked up at the comment. “Ah, so you already have me figured out,” he teased his queen.
“Dammit!” the queen barked. “You heard that!?”
Artifex’s eyes widened. “Yes,” he hesitantly replied, realizing her complimentary assessment had also been private. “I can pretend to forget it?” he offered.
“Ha! I am learning more about you every minute,” she said out loud, making her cute, breathy laughing sound.
Warmth filled Artifex’s chest, loving his queen’s temperament.
Behind him there was a slight thud as the queen hopped down, then the pitter patter of her tiny feet on the stone floor, followed by splashing water as she washed.
“Amazing. All this in a cave,” she commented as she exited and joined him. “How do you pump the water, create the blowing air, and power the lights?”
Artifex grinned, loving how inquisitive the queen was about how things worked. She was definitely a member of the servitor caste.
“There’s a spiral in a vertical passage that raises the water.” He patted the nearby wall concealing the shaft. “Down below, in the underground canal there’s a paddle. The rushing water moves the paddle and turns the spiral,” he attempted to explain.
“The spiral sounds like an Archimedes screw,” Isa said thoughtfully.
“I am not familiar with this Archimedes.” He curiously tilted his head.
“He was a man of science on my planet. They named the spiral that raises water after him.”
“Ah. I like that both of our worlds have this innovation. It is very simple, yet extremely useful.” He smiled. “The blowing air and lighting grid are a little more complicated, but also involve shafts throughout the hive, reflected sunlight and natural air currents.”
“Hmm.” She nodded in appreciation.
Not only was his new queen a stunning, sexy, little female, he was discovering they had a great deal in common. He didn’t know what to expect when a queen entered his life. He assumed hatchlings would be involved, but Isa was fascinating, and he could foresee many enjoyable discussions in their future. Artifex glanced toward her chamber where the others waited and an impish notion occurred to him.
“How would you like to come with me? The Bonding Feast is being prepared and I’d like to find out which of our foods you enjoy. I would also like to continue this discussion.” He took her hand and gently urged her in the opposite direction.
“Oh, okay.” Queen Isa smiled and followed.
He grinned, pleased that she agreed to join him and tickled he was able to abscond with their queen.
“That was the queen’s branch. It contains your and the consorts’ chambers,” he explained as he held the door exiting the area.
Queen Isa admired everything from the floor to the ceiling, her hand gliding over the polished stone wall, as they headed down the passage.
“The Vorto prefer to integrate their hives into their territory and nature,” he commented as she studied her surroundings. “Our hive was carved out of the mountain, extending the natural passages over scores of generations before the Blight struck. That was when we had more advancements, but wisely the ancestors used simple innovations as much as possible. It makes it easier for us to maintain now.”
“That Blight sounds terrible, and it obviously had a devastating effect on your people.” Isa frowned. “It reminds me of the plagues my people suffered. Did anyone else get sick besides the females?”
“Unfortunately, yes. I am lucky that I survived to emerge. From what I was told, many amnio sacs shriveled before maturing. Not even the refectio was able to heal those struck by the Blight. But that was over a hundred orbits ago.”
“ Refectio ?” Queen Isa cocked her head.
“It is one of our highly prized pieces of old technology. It healed your arm and head,” he explained as they walked toward the gathering areas.
“That sounds very advanced.” Her eyes widened in surprise.
Her shock was understandable. The refectio was advanced, considering the simple machinery they were working with in this era.
“I’m lucky you had it,” Isa added, squeezing him with the very hand that had been seriously injured. Her sincere expression then shifted to worry. “Do the other hives have these machines if my friends need them?”
“Some do, yes,” he answered honestly. As much as he wanted to say every one of the queens would be fine, he wouldn’t lie to his queen.
Her hive sent her here to die. Artifex ground his teeth as he clenched his jaw. He couldn’t fathom what kind of people would send their queens to die among the stars or on a harsh new world.
Seeing the fear swimming in Isa’s unusual brown eyes, Artifex suppressed the need to growl. His queen didn’t need his anger, she needed reassurance.
Artifex wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her close. “Our messengers have gone out. We will find out about the other queens from your hive. We won’t let them suffer,” he promised, while combing his fingers through her lovely mane. Hopefully it was a promise he could keep.
“Thank you,” she sighed. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. I didn’t have time to meet all the women, but…” The queen’s words slowed when she noticed the Vorto working in the dining commons.
Her expression grew uncomfortable as the servitor omegas started to approach them. She hunched her shoulders, practically curling in on herself while huddling close to him. His brow furrowed, unsure of what was bothering her. Was she afraid of them? They were the first new people she’d encountered since leaving her chambers. The omegas weren’t a danger to their queen, but she may not know that given how she’d been treated. Protectively he hugged her close, wrapping both arms around her.
“They are all right,” he assured her. “Please continue with your tasks. You will meet our new queen later,” Artifex urged the workers to return to cleaning and preparing for the feast. “This is our dining and meeting area,” he said, though Isa couldn’t really see since she was still using him as a barrier between her and the workers in the dining commons.
He smiled sympathetically as he gently picked her up, cradling her in his arms as he continued on. Hopefully after she got to meet everyone at the feast, she’d be less afraid.
“Thank you,” Isa whispered. “I just…well…” She frowned as she glanced down at herself.
His brow furrowed at the uncomfortable expression that twisted her face.
Artifex stopped again and focused on her. “Please explain.”
“I’m not used to walking around naked.” She awkwardly bared her teeth in a grimace.
The pale blue outfit he had to cut off of her surged to mind.
“You had coverings on!” Artifex wanted to kick himself. He felt so foolish. “I am so sorry. Are you cold?” She didn’t feel cool, but he hugged her closer to his chest anyway as he continued walking.
Flux! How could I be so remiss?!
“Well, no, I’m not cold.” Isa shook her head. “But, well, walking around naked in front of everyone wasn’t done in my old hive, so I’m not used to it.”
Artifex frowned. “This is natural. The Vorto do not emerge from their amnio sacs with coverings, do yours?” The question was slightly flippant and teasing.
“We don’t either.” She made her adorable twittering laugh as she adamantly shook her head.
“Vorto don’t usually wear coverings unless going outside in certain weather. Unfortunately, we damaged your coverings when we treated your injuries. I will have them repaired. Would you like something else in the meantime?”
“Deep down, I think you’re right. We aren’t born with clothes, so being naked is natural. I really don’t like that I was taught to be ashamed of my body, and yet it still makes me uncomfortable,” she admitted as they neared the food preparatory.
The more he learned about Isabella’s old hive, the more he despised it. It broke his heart that she was made to feel shame.
“You are a stunning queen. Your scent drives me wild. Your curves make my hands grabby with the urge to squeeze you,” his arms tightened around her, “and I am deeply enjoying our conversation. All parts of you are exceptional. It would be a shame to cover your beauty, but I will arrange for anything you desire.” He gazed into her eyes, desperate to convey how precious she truly was.
Queen Isa’s soft brown eyes widened and her cheeks got red again. “Um, thank you.” She quickly looked away, attempting to hide her face.
Artifex groaned when her heady feminine perfume spiked. She was embarrassed but also aroused. He really wanted to sample the queen’s flesh again, and if she’d permit, he’d bury himself in her luscious body. He wasn’t a consort, yet his hunger for their queen was wildly intense.
“Let’s sample some food,” he swiftly urged, before he acted on his instinct in the middle of the corridor.
Isabella
Artifex’s bold appraisal made Isa blush. He sounded and looked sincere, but she wasn’t used to taking compliments. The exotic man was very nice to look at, too. She couldn’t help but rub his muscular chest as he confidently carried her. Back home, the men she knew would be quaking, their arms ready to give out, not that she was ever carried, though. But Artifex made her feel downright petite. Then there was the fact that he was intelligent. Hunky nerds were her weakness. She’d wanted to pet him as he explained the technology of their hive. All of that combined was enough to make her swoon, so both of them being naked only added to the sexual tension she felt.
Yet again another emotion intruded. It wasn’t shame over being naked, though that still lingered. This black cloud felt a bit like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Right now, she was novel and new to the Vorto, but that wouldn’t always be the case. How would they treat her after the newness wore off? And what if they discovered she wasn’t compatible with them?
Isa shook her head, distracting herself by changing the conversation as she forcibly studied her surroundings. The hive reminded her of Carlsbad Cavern with its absurdly large spaces and winding passages all hidden beneath ground. There was something daunting about being surrounded by so much rock. Thank goodness it was lovely to look at.
“This stone is gorgeous. Your building technique reminds me of gothic architecture back home.” She pointed at the upcoming ornate arched doorway. The Vorto had carved meandering ivy detail into the purple marble. Isa ran her finger over the design. “But you also leave the natural beauty.” She admired a nearby dripstone column that was a feature created by the cave and time.
“Thank you. We have some very talented masons. I know one of my gammas still enjoys adding details here and there, though most of his time is spent making objects like cups or bowls since his skill is admired,” Artifex explained, opening a red wooden door.
“I can imagine.” Isa nodded, recalling the lovely cup she drank from earlier.
The delicious scent of food cooking hit her as they passed through the archway into another palatial room. The five blazing fire pits on the far side of the room instantly caught her attention. From here, it looked like whole cows were being spit roasted on two of the fires, and a dozen fat turkeys were spinning over the third. The last two fires were rigged with a complex assembly of stacked baking dishes. Between here and there were a line of ten butcher block tables, laden with baskets and bowls of foreign produce. Artifex wasn’t joking when he said they were making a feast.
The dozen or more Vorto who were busily washing, chopping, mixing, and cooking all stopped to look at her.
Oh. She’d never been so shy, but she’d never been the center of attention while naked, either.
“Hi,” she said barely above a whisper, giving everyone a slight wave.
Just like when they passed the dining commons, the men started toward her. The way some of them turned into the unusual ooze and scuttled across the floor was disconcerting. She found herself curling toward Artifex, but then forced herself to stop.
“I’m sorry. Besides the nudity I am also getting used to your ability to change forms. It’s actually pretty impressive. My people can’t do it,” she sheepishly explained.
She felt bad when the alien ooze halted and their humanoid form emerged from the purple puddles. They’d obviously heard her.
“Is it something you think you could get used to?” Artifex studied her, concern reflected in his large dark eyes.
“Yes. It’s just new.” She nodded.
“Good. Hatchlings emerge from their amnio sacs in this amorphous flux form. The young don’t learn to retain their bipedal form for three to four lunars.”
Her eyes widened as she tried to imagine her potential babies oozing around in her arms.
But I may not be able to have babies at all. What then? She anxiously nibbled her lip.
“A moment.” Artifex held his hand out, halting the approaching men. He then focused on her. “I know you aren’t intentionally projecting your private thoughts, so I will try to let you have privacy, however I am catching snippets of your worry. I wish I could help allay your fears, but I think you need to communicate with Phara. He has struggled with questions about fulfilling his purpose. Please understand that no matter what happens, you have given us hope.” Artifex caressed her cheek.
Isa pulled a surprised breath. Yet again he’d heard her thoughts. She’d grown practiced at keeping her thoughts to herself. She was the black sheep of her family, and her mouth was the biggest cause of that. She didn’t need her wayward thoughts causing her trouble here. She needed to figure out the trick so she wasn’t projecting her internal monologue. Then again, maybe it was a good thing Artifex had overheard.
No matter what happens, you have given us hope. She took another breath as she repeated his calming words.
“Okay. I’ll try to stop worrying.” She nodded earnestly.
“Good.” He kissed the top of her head.
She smiled, feeling lucky to have found such caring people. It was really starting to put her own people in perspective. Her eyes widened when Artifex unexpectedly set her on the nearby table with her legs dangling over the edge.
He then focused on the cooks. “Bring a selection of what we’re making for our queen to sample.” The cooks then went rushing off to collect the dishes.
This is the reason I should wear clothes. My lady bits on this prep table is the definition of unsanitary. She cringed as she fidgeted on the smooth wood surface.
Artifex turned back toward her, looked at where she was sitting then at her. “I’ll happily clean you off once we’re done.” His long tongue flicked out suggestively.
Isa snorted at the rowdy comment and blushed. Did he actually think she was worried about her fanny getting dirty? No. It was more likely he was just looking for a reason to lick her. Incorrigible!
Artifex’s grin broadened at her assessment. Not only was it clear he was trouble, it was also clear she might as well say everything she was thinking since it was being heard anyway.
Isa shook her head at the randy man, turning her attention to the bowls and platters being set next to her. “Oh my, this looks great and smells even better. Thank you.” She nodded in appreciation to the alien man who just set another dish down.
“My queen.” The cook bowed low, his head nearly touching his knees before stepping back.
Isa’s smile turned awkward and she shuddered. It was going to take a long time to get used to hearing that moniker. It still felt like a farce. She ignored it and focused on the bowl he left instead.
“These remind me of blueberries.” She reached for a piece of the fruit.
Artifex grabbed her hand before she got to the bowl. “Ah, my queen, it is my job to care for you.” He set her hand on her lap, then tapped it while pointedly looking at her, implying it needed to stay put.
“Okay, okay,” she chuckled with an incredulous shake of her head.
Artifex examined the bowl of fruit, carefully picked a berry then brought it to her lips. “These are jofi berries.”
She opened her mouth and accepted the berry. “Mmm,” she moaned, chewing the juicy sweet treat that was more reminiscent of a peach than a berry.
“You like it?” Artifex asked, but his smile indicated he already knew the answer.
Isa nodded as she swallowed, while trying to remember the name of the berry for later.
Artifex popped one in his mouth. “Ah yes, nice and ripe,” he purred.
Artifex was talking about the berry, and yet the way he intensely stared at her made her question if that was truly the case, or was he talking about her?
“Would you like another or would you like to try…something else?” he asked, the pause catching her attention.
A thrill coursed through her. Was that also a suggestive question? Surely, she was just imagining that. She had sex on the brain after the wild escapade they’d just participated in. Not everything was a tawdry innuendo. Was it?
With a nervous laugh, Isa pulled her gaze from Artifex and looked at the selection available. One of the dishes reminded her of fresh cooked green beans.
“How about we try these?” She grabbed one of the green pods.
“My queen!” Artifex reprimanded her as he captured her hand and took the bean.
“Oh!” Her eyes widened. He really was serious about being the one to feed her. “I’m just not used to this.” She nibbled her lip.
Back home, she and her mother waited on her father and brother. They didn’t hand feed the men like they were babies, but damn close as far as she was concerned. Her sister Ruth did the same for her own family, and so did every other woman she knew. She was raised to think that was normal, that men were helpless when it came to domestic duties. Except, that was just crap. Her eyes were opened when she was young and her mother got a nasty case of ziktheria. It put her in the hospital for days and left her bedridden for nearly a month. Yet still the men in her family couldn’t lift a finger. Her mom nearly killed herself trying to overdo it too early and the men were oblivious. She was only seven and she saw the toll it was taking. The whole incident added to her decision to swear off men. Though, since single women couldn’t own property or even lease without a male cosigner, that left her living at home. Isa always consoled herself by saying she was helping relieve her mother’s burden, but she lived for the out-of-town archaeology digs that gave her a chance to get away. Regardless, this kind of treatment made her feel guilty, since she was more than capable.
Artifex tapped the bean against her lip, pulling Isa out of her thoughts. She opened her mouth.
“This is haricot ,” he said as he popped it into her mouth.
Isa nodded while chewing, tilting her head as she tried to identify the flavors.
“Tastes like zucchini with some sort of dressing,” she decided.
Artifex popped his finger into his mouth. “Ah, a mucet glaze. It’s very light. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes. Of course.” Isa nodded. “I am not a picky eater. I believe that unless something makes a person sick, you eat what’s in front of you and value the effort of the cook. There’s nothing worse than someone being rude after you’ve worked hard on a meal.” She’d witnessed that nonsense a million times and it annoyed her to no end. She made hundreds of meals, occasionally the meat was going to be a little overdone. Whenever Saul complained, it was an instant guarantee his next meal was overcooked. “Thank you, I appreciate all of your effort and the haricot is very good.” She smiled genuinely at the cooks who were gathered around and gave them a little bow, or at least the best bow she could while seated on the table.
There were numerous gasps and the cooks’ mouths opened in shock.
What did I say wrong? Her gaze swung to Artifex.
“You said nothing wrong,” he chuckled. “It was the bow that stunned them. It’s not right for a queen to bow, though you can do whatever you wish, beautiful.” He smiled at her. “And thank you for your kind words. You don’t know how deeply your gratitude is appreciated.” Artifex bowed to her.
“Oh,” she said in understanding, recalling how Bellator, Artifex, and Phara reacted poorly when she bowed to them in the bed chamber. She hadn’t done it wrong; she wasn’t supposed to do it at all. That made sense now.
“It is my honor,” the group of cooks said at once as they bowed low.
It was so strange to hear the concert of voices in her head without a single mouth moving. Some of the cooks were also purring which meant they were happy. That made her smile. Their language was truly fascinating with its two layers, the audible and the telepathic, three layers if you added expressions and gestures. It felt like she’d been plucked out of her life and dropped into one of the ancient civilizations books she’d read. This was exciting and daunting all in the same breath.
Artifex turned to the group. “Thank you all, but if we don’t get back to work, there won’t be a Bonding Feast later.”
Artifex was congenial as he reminded them, and the cooks returned to work. They all had chevron patterns on their chests with the inset circle, similar to Artifex. If she understood the hierarchy right, that meant they were all members of the servitor caste and answered to him, the way the soldiers answered to Bellator, and the consorts to Phara. Although the Vorto answered to their alphas, there didn’t seem to be an uncomfortable balance of power. Too often the leaders back home lorded their power over the people instead of serving them.
As she was considering the Vorto social structure, a tiny bonbon appeared in front of her.
“Thanks.” Isa opened her mouth.
“This is a raphanus .” Artifex popped the bonbon in.
She started to chew and realized it was nothing like chocolate as the salty fishiness spread through her mouth. In the most unladylike move ever, she spat the fish ball into her hand, then grabbed the cup next to her.
“My queen, wait!” Artifex said, his eyes wide with surprise, as she dumped the contents of the cup into her mouth.
Not water! It tasted something like concentrated lemon juice, the kind that was so sour it stung the mouth and made it pucker. The salty fish ball was surprising and very gross, but now she’d made it worse. The foul flavors mixed like a perfect storm in her mouth.
Isa instantly spat, covering Artifex’s chest with the fishy sour liquid.
“I thorry,” she slurred, her mouth coated with grossness, but also utterly mortified by what she’d done.
Isa stared in horror at Artifex and the mess she’d made. She’d just finished extolling the virtues of appreciating the hard work of cooks, and then she did this. Normally she would’ve swallowed the nasty fish ball and politely declined seconds, but the surprise of it not being chocolate kicked off a terrible chain of events.
Why in god’s name did I think it would be chocolate? It was absurd to think that on a foreign world, but it was an instantaneous thought and she didn’t brace herself for anything else.
Instead of shouting at her for spitting on him, Artifex swiftly handed her a different cup.
“I am sorry, my queen, so very sorry. Are you all right? Do we need to go to the infirmary?” he worriedly asked as she guzzled down the water.
She shook her head no, while he poured her another cup of water. Relief filled her as she drank it down, diluting more of the sour fish bile lining her mouth. It was also a relief Artifex hadn’t exploded.
“No raphanus for the queen,” Artifex loudly announced to everyone in the kitchen, who had gathered around, panic etched on their faces.
Artifex used a towel to clean her chin and the hand that held the half-chewed fish ball. He then wiped his own chest. She suddenly felt like she was a toddler again and just had a temper tantrum.
“Sorry I spat on you. The raphanus wasn’t what I was expecting, and that liquid was not water.” She cringed as she shook her head.
“No, it was not water. I am glad you spat the qua sauce out. That much would’ve made you sick.” Artifex grabbed her hands, his brow furrowed. “Queen Isabella, you must let me take care of you. There are things on my world you aren’t familiar with that could hurt you.”
“I, well…” She grimaced instead of finishing what she was going to say. “You’re right.”
This new world, from its food to its people, was going to take a lot of getting used to.