Katchoo hesitated a moment before taking the cookies. "Thanks," she said, the customary hoarseness of her voice tinged with a different kind of rasp, as if she was a little out of practice saying the word.

Thinking of Ronan and the sandwiches a few days ago, she noted, "Seems like people around here like to cook and share food a lot." Hell of a lot more altrustic than she was used to. Not a bad thing.