"Ann Maxwell - Concord 1 - The Singer Enigma" - читать интересную книгу автора (Maxwell Ann)

“Ship food.”
 Tarhn wondered whether she ate meat, or even realized what meat was, but decided to wait and see.
When he saw that Lyra was reluctant to leave the slakes, he took her hand and led her to the door.
“They’ll still be here after we eat,” he said.
“Then you’ll let me see them again, talk ‘with them, and touch them?” she asked eagerly.
Suddenly Tarhn believed, really believed, that Lyra had never known animals; her fascination was
genuine, as was her delight. He supposed he would feel the same if someone had introduced him to a pair
of walking, talking rocks.
“You can move in with them if you’d like,” he said, laughing.
“I’d like.”
Her childlike directness echoed in Tarhn’s mind as they strolled to the nearest eating room. Maybe
that was the explanation of the enigma surrounding her: she was a child. Never mind her woman’s body,
her subtle sensual heat. She was unwary, direct, inexperienced. A child, untouched and uncomplex.
Now if he could just fit her finely honed mind into that comforting picture ....
Reluctantly, Tarhn filed the problem under “later.” He needed more information. Much more.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Lyra opened her eyes, but left her hand suspended over a dish of food.
“Selecting my meal,” she said.
“How does passing your hand above the various dishes help?”
Lyra looked at him as though he must be joking, then realized he wasn’t. She pulled her hand away
from the food hurriedly.
“Is my way of choosing offensive?”
“Not to me. Just unusual.”
“You’re sure? What about the other people?”
“I’m sure. How does it work?”
Lyra’s hand resumed its station above the food belt.
“It’s very simple,” she explained, moving her hand slowly down the row of dishes. “My mind and
body have certain energy structures, patterns. Some foods would destroy the patterns, some would
merely disrupt or dull them. Others would give energy to the body, but would slight the mind. Or the
reverse. And still others would be suited to both mind and body. Ah, there,” she said.
“That’s animal flesh,” he said, curious to see her reaction.
She wasn’t surprised. “I guessed it might be, after what you told me; it’s rich with potential for my
body. Without this,” she said, indicating a dish of raw vegetables, “the flesh would drag on my mind.
Together, the foods balance each other. And with this,” a pink globe of fruit was placed on her tray, “a
willing gift from a living plant, my meal is complete and complementary.”
Tarhn’s hand reached for the same foods. “I assume they would do as well for me?”
“Don’t you know?” Then, “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to be rude. How do you usually choose?”
“Taste and experience.”
Lyra closed her eyes and moved her hand from his temple to his fingertips without touching his skin.
Tarhn’s curiosity was nearly painful, but he said nothing.
“Your methods have been good,” she said finally, “Your patterns are rich, complex, and pulsing with
strength. Yet ... may I choose for you?”
“If you explain your choices.”
“Three of this fruit,” she said. “Willing food is rare out here. And this ... is it flesh again?”
Tarhn nodded. “A sea creature.”
“It will fill your body. And ...” her hand hovered over the ranks of vegetable dishes, finally selected
raw and cooked roots. “To balance the flesh. Now, something to relax you,” she murmured.
Tarhn followed Lyra down the curving wall of food. Her hand hesitated over the condiments for a
moment, then picked out a paper of finely ground seed pods.
“How do I eat that?” he said, not recognizing the seasoning.