The lights illuminated an iconographical painting that covered the ceiling. It looked like invented star constellations with a large planet and several moons rendered in great detail. On the planet, which Eva assumed was Orbona, an immense rocket lay on its side, with a line of figures entering it. The inside of the rocket was filled with these figures, and an eye—with a horizontal iris—was painted on the nose of the ship. Enchanted by the mural, Eva banged into a tray sitting atop a low table.

“Sorry,” Eva said, pushing the decorated tray back. She realized it was covered with a buffet of finger foods. Bright vegetables and fruit lay sliced in a row next to what appeared to be spiderfish skewers. A myriad of sauces and dips circled an ornate bowl in the center of the table that held a small flame.

“It is no problem, Eva,” Hostia said. “Everythings is fine. We can enjoy this before suppers. Haves you eaten?”

Muthr answered, “No, thank you. We—”

“They have eaten already,” Rovender finished. “But, you know, I am always hungry for your cooking.”

“Ofs course, but first a family drinks to our guests,” Hostia said, walking toward the back of the room. A decorated sack was mounted to the back wall, with faded streamers hanging on either side.

The sack looked heavy with some sort of liquid. Several rods and tubes dangled from the bag, reminding Eva of the holograms she had seen of bagpipes. From a basket below it Hostia pulled out three tiny fluted glasses. The hostess filled the glasses with squirts of liquid from the various tubes, tapping in powders contained at the ends of the rods.

“What is she making?” Eva asked.

Rovender explained. “It is a tradition among the Halcyonus that you have a drink from the heart of the house—the family cask. Just as no two homes are alike, no two homes make the same drink.”

A smiling Hostia handed out the drinks to the trio. Rovender drank his down in one shot. “Much appreciation and gratitude to you,” he said with a nod, handing the glass back.

“And to you,” Hostia replied. She looked at Eva.

Eva sniffed the contents of the glass. An enigmatic whiff of otherworldly spice whirled around her face. She looked over at Muthr, who was analyzing her drink with a laser.

“It seems to be a combination of distilled herbs and spices,” Muthr said. “Their basic compounds are similar to anise, cinnamon, and perhaps coffee beans. Add a water purification tablet and you should be fine, Eva.”

“No,” Rovender whispered. “Just drink it.”

“Yes, drink!” Hostia said, still smiling. The other family members had now leaned over to get a better view of the curious interaction.

“You will insult them if you tamper with the drink in any way,” Rovender added in a whisper, nudging Eva’s glass closer to her face.

“I understand, Mr. Kitt. However, I—,” Muthr began.