Maybe someday, if Adia's world ever finds peace and she still has access to her equipment AND she works up the nerve to ask Paladin. "It depends on what aspect of someone's appearance. For example, someone may have the genes for freckles, but if they stay out of the sun, then they'd never show up. But other environmental effects might take decades, like poor diet leading to stunted growth."

Adia smiles to herself a little, at the tiefling's reaction. She considers Paladin quite bright. Explaining things to her has been a pleasure. "I'm sure that helps. Your world sounds so... mutable. Like anything is possible. That's good preparation for the Nexus."

"Okay. See you there in a bit." She hopes that Paladin waits until Adia is seated to try the jello. She has a feeling that her reaction will be worth seeing. After some time spent at the hot entree section, Adia returns to the table with a little bit of everything. The only dishes she skipped were those slathered in sauce, which reminds her too much of the unpalatable rations on New Caprica, even though rationally she knows they'll taste just as good as anything else.

((ahhh, okay. That makes sense. I've read Tolkien but I never looked too much into that aspect. I'll let you know if I ever go the au route!))