Maria cocks her head and appears to fight back a laugh at the story. Sure, the thought of the fish is there in her mind, but she knows better than to associate the two or just blurt it out like that.

"I can see why you switched. But I think we'll go with Bass, if you're comfortable with it from me. Sebastian is very... well, I'm sure you could be very regal if you wanted to be." She doubts highly that he's like that though, just knowing what she knows about Alex. He's not the type to go for prissy guys.

"But it's nice to meet you too, with full context. And I'm glad Liz has had a civilizing effect on you two," she adds with a light laugh. "Alex has always been welcoming to me, but Liz knows how to make herself comfortable, that's for sure." She loves them both, for different reasons but in the same way, and she's glad they had each other -- and Bass, apparently -- through this time in this place.

"You should definitely get used to seeing my face, though. My two best friends in one spot. You're gonna get sick of me."