Downstairs, Adrien settled into the comfortable armchair that marked his usual seat at the dinner table. He requested a particularly big portion of meatloaf; tired and ravenous as he was, he lacked the shame and restraint that would have normally kept him from tearing through his portion before Val could even get started with his. As he asked for seconds, Val was still only occasionally pecking at his much smaller helping. Had it been someone else eating so little, Adrien would have worried for their health; but this was usual for Val, who never seemed to eat much and never seemed adversely affected by how little he ate. In that moment, it dawned on Adrien. "...It's because you feed upon human energy, so you don't actually need to eat food", he blurted out. "That's why you never seem hungry".

"That is correct", Val said. "Is it too noticeable?".

"Ah -- not at all -- I mean, not everyone eats like a pig, like me", Adrien chuckled awkwardly, and put down his fork. "I thought you were just -- well -- just, not a big eater".

Val smiled. "I cannot eat too much, as it expends my energy rather than replenish it. I only eat or drink for the flavor. And, of course, to pretend to be human".