"A country," Eileen explained. She didn't mind explaining things, really. And it was nicer to explain silly things like how to eat with chop sticks than it was to talk about this place.

"And no, both of them are held in one hand. That's why it's such a pain. Some people just never get the hang of it. And the work doesn't seem like work at all once you have a little practice." She patted ZEX's hand and withdrew her own to focus on her own breakfast.

"I promise I won't laugh if it takes you a little bit," she swore, not wanting ZEX to feel as though she were judging him.