Well, it was one thing to be warned of something, and another thing entirely to be faced with it for real. Like the difference between being told to half expect a Viking vampire at the door, and actually coming face to face with him.

(Well, face to chest: Marshall was not the tallest kid.)

To his credit, he only faltered a little at a voice in his head. "Well, uh, she's actually a better cook than people give her credit for."