Zinc was eager for visitors. She had spent far too much time cooped up in Barbet's studio, alone except for a man who thought she was a nuisance and a burden. There was no one to talk to, and very little to do. She could put puzzles together on the floor, she could play video games, poke around on the internet and long for a world she couldn't be a part of, watch old movies on a flickering tv, and she could sleep. Miserable, depressed, she slept, often.

It wouldn't be like that here, though. It hadn't been. There was sunshine and there were friends and she came out to greet Gavril. She also came to peek into the container excitedly.

"Delicious..."