[ The deadpan and accompanying slightly incredulous stare give way then. It's almost disarming, how she immediately echoes the word back and just... goes for it.

Quietly, he filters away for himself that this is another child who is already making klaxons go off in his head. Clearly, like John, there's a larger story here that looms over just this small interaction and threatens to break his heart. Fine. If this place is gonna be Like That, he'll just have to let his heart bleed all over the place. That's okay. ]

Oh, trust me. Roast it in coconut oil with some garlic, toss in some fresh parmesan and add some lemon juice, you'd love it.

[ He throws her a grin. ]

Ain't anything we can do to improve on it here. So... the end of all joy it is.