[it may help that Alec is somehow less unnerving-looking than he was the first time they’d met. his clothes are more or less the same, but he’s swapped out his lumpy scarf for a large grey coat that seems to be several sizes too big for him. it makes him look like a kid presenting to wear grown-up clothes. he laughs softly and picks up an especially curly piece of pink, fried cephalopod.]

Yes, you see, just when I think they really are awful, they start to taste good? The strawberry aftertaste compliments the salt, perhaps?

[he pops one into his mouth, sounding very amused as he does a marginal job of talking around his food.] But then I have another one, and I’m fairly certain they’re awful again. Would you like to try some?

[he offers the bowl up to Horatio—because there is plenty, and he shouldn’t eat all of it himself.]