The embassy had no party room. Everyone involved in planning the construction of the place had known on a level deeper than conscious thought that they should never hint at the suggestion of a party room. But humans must be human.

Koen's welcome party began in the meeting room, with the table moved up against the far wall and people huddled together in the tiny space this opened in front of the door. When an entire population consists of ten individuals, though, it makes a difference when three of them duck out to the canteen to get more food.

Without Koen, Mark, and Laura, the meeting room felt suddenly empty. Yoshida went after them, asking about robots, and Nelly followed. Severo gave the rest of the embassy staff a cheery wave, grabbed a bottle of expensive baiju, and left.

Li, Ahmed, and Chadwell eyed each other over their plates of canapes. They didn't despise each other. They worked well together, but what each wanted most in the world right now was to spend time with someone who hadn't been breathing their air for the past year. They filed out of the meeting room in order of seniority, calling to ask if Koen needed help in the kitchen.

Dr. Kaliannan, left alone in the meeting room, stretched out his arms and selected another fish-paste-on-toast. He was comfortable with his own company.

In the kitchen that adjoined the canteen, Koen was holding happily forth on the Quotidian fish, their anatomy and gastronomic possibilities. "The fins are actually very much like the tails of eels, with a central jointed column very much like a spine. It looks good fried, but the flavor turned out to be too rich. Like chewy lobster, wasn't it? Next time I think boiled and served with butter. Of course, grilling would work too. Sushi will have to wait until I can be sure of the –"

"I liked them fried," said Mark, who had heard this speech before and recognized the lead-up to the word 'parasites.' "Boiled, we'd have to look at them."

"I like the way they look," said Laura. "They're cute." She finished her glass of white wine and wondered if she should have another.

Severo leaned over the counter that separated the kitchen and canteen. "Hey Mark, go get your speakers. Oh! Potato chips."

Mark set down the bowl, most of his mental power tied up in keeping his eyes off the chest of the security attaché.

Severo had no such problem with temptation. Her hand flicked out to the bowl of chips.

"Stop that," said Koen, who was behind Mark, assembling canapés.

"Oh," she said, crunching. "That's interesting. You saw me without turning around. And you give me orders. Interesting."

In the corridors – or even in his suite of rooms – Koen would have blushed and ducked his head and stammered apologies. He wouldn't have ordered Severo around to begin with.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

But Koen didn't think about any of that. He turned from his plating, a frown on his face. "We only have so many of those. Save some for our guest."

Severo's brows climbed. She had never expected to find anything admirable in the skinny, timid Dutch boy. "Territorial," she said.

Now, Koen did feel ashamed. He didn't like being so accurately diagnosed, and anyway he hadn't worked in this kitchen enough to feel it was his territory yet. He reached behind him for his platter and offered it.

"How about a fish-paste-on-toast instead?"

"Give it a different name," said Severo, still crunching. "Pâté du poisson à la Bug-Eyed Monster."

She darted a sly glance at Mark, who felt the prick of it with elation.

"My music –" he began, but Severo waved a hand.

"One moment." She turned back to Koen, smiling blindingly. "Radicchinho. I'm interested in you."

This had the intended effect. Koen faced her more squarely, straightening his back, all senses heightened. Severo noticed the black energy now emanating from Mark, but this was a sacrifice she was willing to make.

"You trained originally as a paleontologist, yes?"

Koen blinked, fighting the urge to brag. "Many years ago, yes."

"Then you suddenly left your job at a museum and flew across the world into my back yard."

She still smiled, but Koen felt suddenly cold. Why? It was no secret what he'd done, and the reason should be obvious. He'd run away, that's what he'd done. He'd abandoned his colleagues, friends, and family because he was too much of a coward to deal with his father's death.

Koen's hand went to his chest. He tried to swallow and couldn't.

"It was time for a change," he said. He hadn't even gone to the funeral. "I don't want to talk about it. The Pick ambassador will arrive any minute…stop eating my chips!"

"Sorry." Severo winked at Mark, who was staring at her in abject admiration.

"Music?" she asked.

"Music!" he said. He had come up with a cunning plan the previous day and stored it away for a moment like this. Severo was looking at him! "I'll leave the speakers in my room and prop the door open," he said. "More space for dancing."

"You clever bastard!" Severo blew Mark a kiss, grabbed another handful of chips, and spun away in a swirl of pheromones. Mark felt dizzy until the air system had circulated some of them away. Then he went to get his speakers.

It wasn't the first time the embassy had found use for Mark's speakers and playlist of downloaded music. Everyone already knew that Severo and Chadwell were the best dancers in this universe (a position totally unaltered by Koen's arrival). They also already knew about the sexual tension between Mark and Severo and the chilly feud between Chadwell and Qani. Nelly was fed up with everyone but Yoshida, and that was because Yoshida spent half an hour planning everything he said and did. Kaliannan and Qani considered themselves to be the only real adults in the embassy. Everyone made sure Ambassador Li felt included in discussions, and were patient with him. Li knew this, and liked it. The way he saw it, as hard as he worked, other people owed it to him to do his thinking for him. Koen was the only unknown here, and his food was the only novelty.

Which is why Laura decided not to have another drink. Everyone would be watching Koen, and Koen would be watching her. If she wasn't careful, she'd watch him back. And everyone would know.

She was so relieved when General Graa arrived.