Zelnick was, despite his dislike of the VUX, fascinated by ZEX's explanation. "That's... kind of cool," he said, a bit wondrously. "I know life on Earth first evolved in the oceans and only moved to land later, but our unintelligent ancestors have been land-dwellers for a very long time. Underwater cities... that's the stuff of fantasy and legend, for us." He practically glowed with interest. "How are the underwater cities constructed? How deep can they be built? I imagine the pressure keeps them in relatively shallow water..."

Still caught up by his enthusiasm, Zelnick nodded along happily. "It's easier to find common ground, a lot of the time," he agreed, "unless you're looking for the differences. I've only met a couple species who were truly alien to me-- even the oddest physiology can hold a kindred consciousness." He smiled in memory of some of the odder creatures he had met, floating gas bags and talking plants and whatever the Zoq and Fot and Pik were.

He mentally noted the number in his head. "Alright, then." Still smiling, he dug enthusiastically into his food-- the meat was unfamiliar (pork, they had called it?) but tasty enough, and the coleslaw was both entirely new to him and quite delicious.