Anis PoV
Another lady in the same uniform as the other one came back carryin' a big tray stacked high with round wooden boxes and a plate with steaming bowls of noodles. Thick, warm clouds drifted off the food, smellin' like sweet onions, roast meat, and toasted sesame seeds.
Pingui gave two tiny, excited squeaks right against my ear, his soft yellow beak nudging my woolly collar. "Lady Anis! Look at the yummy steam clouds! Our special fuel delivery is landing right!"
"P-Pa, look!" I squeaked, bouncing up and down on his knee until his big arm tightened around my tummy like a warm hug. "The puffy smoke clouds are landing!"
"I see 'em, little bird," Pa said, patting my head with one hand.
He didn't scramble or flinch. With his free hand, he calmly slid the teapot and soy sauce jar all the way against the booth wall, clearing a space right in front of us.
