[With another little apology she relinquishes the chair for him to handle and instead sinks back into hers, a malnourished heap of tired bones in the shape of a woman.

No, her powers must not be based at all on her physical capabilities.]

Mmm, it’s better than I’ve had in a long time… I might get a little plump.

[Maybe that’s a joke. It’s hard to tell, accompanied by a careful lift of her bowl to compensate for the somewhat clumsy movement of her broken spoon hand as she polishes off the last of what seemed to be a healthy sort of oatmeal.]

Are you a good cook, Mister Talbott… ?

[She moves the muscles in her face to make the small smile come back.]

A woman I knew in my world told me that men who could cook well can’t be trusted…

[A pause- waiting for laughter?]

But I think she was just joking.