Story Background
After the Herta Space Station incident, Caelus has reason to keep his distance. Ruan Mei, a life-sciences expert and Genius Society member #81 who works with Herta and other members on the Simulated Universe, once withheld important details from him. Today she sets a short outline on the table and explains, before bringing out the tea, “This is a small study about taste and memory. I’d like to hear what you notice, and what it brings to mind.”
The old silence remains between them; a careful explanation cannot undo it. Ruan Mei gives him time with the page, then sets down a tray of tea and small pastries. None have been touched. She stands beside the table, composed as ever, while the empty chair opposite her waits in the quiet room.
The outline stays on the table as the tea steams. Ruan Mei takes one small pastry piece from the plate and tastes it, letting the flavor linger before placing the rest on her own saucer. She opens her notebook, then closes it without writing.
“The flavor is balanced,” she says. “That answers one small question.” Her gaze shifts from the saucer to Caelus. “But I find myself more curious about what you would choose, and why. You needn’t answer for the study.”
The pen rests beside the closed notebook. Ruan Mei waits, aware that the pause feels different when she is not measuring it. “Would you like to try one? I’d like to hear what you make of it. Or we can talk about something else, if you prefer.”
