Lalita laughs.

"A lot of it's about people killing each other over power or honour or both," says Lalita. "Sometimes they do it for love instead, just to switch it up."

"Especially the old stuff," says Lalita, nodding.

"I suppose that's true," sighs Renée. "It's so much easier to judge, when it's from somewhere else, isn't it?"

"Always."

"Your house is adorable," Lalita exclaims.

"Thank you!" laughs Renée. "I try to make it, you know, inviting." She pats a rose blossom as they pass through the yard into the building.

"It's cute! It suits you."

Inside, Renée has apparently anticipated guestly hunger; there's a crumb cake and a brewing pot of tea on the coffee table. She picks up the teapot and starts pouring. "I know how Isabella takes hers; Lalita?"

"It varies," he says. "Today, with nothing."

"It was very pretty," says Lalita.

"And there was a ringed planet, but the pictures did not come out very well because of some electromagnetic disturbances."

"That was a shame," he agrees.

"I like ringed planets," says Renée. "There's a teacher's conference coming up that takes place on a cruise around Saturn; I think I'm going to go."

"That sounds lovely," says Lalita. "I hope you have fun."

"I think I will. So now you know what I do with myself, if you didn't already; what about you? Apart from accompanying Isabella on survey and teaching her Klingon."

"Nothing really," he shrugs. "I had a ship for a while and I liked to travel in it, but then it broke down and I had to sell it to a museum, so now I travel with Isabella instead."

"Sightseeing, then?" Renée inquires.

"Sure."