#nomni

Astro Boy knocks on the wall next to Em's head.

"There's a new hero onboarding today."

Em tilts her head in an approximation of an eyeroll. "Any weapons training?" This is going to cut into his schedule for the week.

"I dunno," Astro Boy says. "They can eat rocks though, so a couple eggheads wanna do a comparative study on the two of you. You in?"

It doesn't require much consideration. There will be rocks. "Yes."

He follows Astro Boy to the adjacent bioengineering wing, where a room has been commandeered for the study. Scientists in white coats are milling around and clumping in groups; there is a folding table set up in the front of the room, with neatly labeled geological samples. There is another hero, presumably the new one, standing next to the table and talking to a woman with a notepad.

They are short and their hair has a curl to it. They spot Em as soon as she walks in and yelp, covering their mouth with their hands. "You don't have eyes!"

"Correct." Em drags a chair behind him to the folding table and sits. She folds her arms, pushing down the urge to poke in another eye. He does not need it.

The other hero mirrors his moves, pulling over a chair and leaning across the table. They are young, small and young.

"You're Em, right? Lady Arsenic told me that you're centuries old and you never sleep. It's crazy how you have so many powers!"

"My existence isn't a power," Em says. "Who are you?"

"I'm Nomni, and I can eat anything!" They do not sound like they are bragging.

One of the scientists claps and calls for everyone to find seats; Em is pretty sure his name is Duke. He leans over the table while scientists vie over seating, explaining the study. It's fairly simple — Em and Nomni taste each labeled geological sample in order, describe the taste, and rate how easy it was to eat. In essence, a free meal.

The first three samples are all powders. One is white and slightly soapy-tasting, one is blue and sweet and stinging, and the third is a chalky, flavorless clump. Em hopes that the scientists have not poisoned her. Nomni practically licks the plates clean.

The fourth sample, a beautiful green stone, is so bitter that Em cannot bring himself to swallow it. She pushes the plate away.

"Tastes like warheads ," Nomni says. "Can I have it?"

Em nods his assent, and both samples are consumed.

After another flavorless sample and a small salty moonstone, the scientists finally provide the stone that Em was hoping for.

Quartz!

Em keeps the sample in her cheek, sucking slowly. It's sweet, light, perfect.

Nomni frowns after one bite. "This tastes boring," they say. Another nibble, to be certain—

"Yeah, this tastes like nothing. I didn't know they even made things that taste like nothing."

A murmur runs through the scientists; this is the first dissenting opinion that Em and Nomni have offered.

The next sample is topaz, earthy and chewy. Em pushes away from the table. "I can't have anything harder than this," he says.

Nomni's head whips around. "What? We're having so much fun!"

"I don't want to break my teeth."

"You can break your teeth?"

Em purses her lips. This isn't a conversation he likes having. She waves away the next sample plate — it's ruby. They've been getting tougher the whole time. "This was nice. If you come with me I will give you a weapon."

He walks away, back to the lab, and Nomni follows.