"You're pretty quiet," Marron said, finally. "Usually when someone invites you to talk, they...talk."
Alexander's mouth quirked. "I'm thinking about how to start without sounding like I'm interrogating you."
"Don't think so hard. I'm too tired to be offended by anything right now."
"How are you feeling?"
That question hit the pause button on Marron's brain. She expected questions like
"How does the ladle work?"
"Will you stay longer?"
"Can you teach us more recipes?"
Asking how she was--that wasn't on the roster.
"That was a question, not an answer."
"You sound like Mokko."
"Old habits from being a Lieutenant. Checking in on people."
Alexander stopped walking, turning to face her. His expression was serious but not unkind. "You just confirmed your third Legendary Tool. Then you learned there are seven, and collectors are hunting them, so you're walking around with a target on your back. And you're processing all this while cooking for around 40 mimics. Like you're a--"
