"Yes," she says, unsure of whether or not to be offended. Astrid does seem to be asking out of curiousity though and Vega has had the rest of the akvavit; perhaps, because she has tasted Astrid's culture, Vega now must describe the flavour of her own upbringing to make it fair.

She dabs at an invisible something near her mouth with fingertips. Whenever the bonfire tries to blow smoke in her direction she has to lean her body around the plume.

"But worse. Because you're only doing it for something in return and sometimes you don't get anything. It wastes your time."