“I even tried to join the army, but they wouldn’t have me. The bloke in the uniform took one look at my ugly mug and said, ‘Sorry, we want subjects, not objects'.”

“The rat was merely trying to sleep. Believe me, pup, if I had wanted to kill you we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Ripred.”

“What brings you onto my property?" Rhev said, cradling his mug with both hands trying to absorb its warmth.Got a problem"I can't fix your personality, sorry”

“I was giddy with relief and I started to giggle again. "If you're sorry, then I'm sorry.""Why would you be sorry? You were upstairs!""Well, they were here for me, weren't they? It's my fault everyone breaks your nose and tries to kill you."He took a deep breath to object and started to laugh. "I'll give you that one. But don't worry, I don't mind.”

“She took a sip of the coffee and then said, “Manna. Thank you, Sir.”“Now I really do know how to punish you.”She curled both hands around the mug. “You wouldn’t take away my coffee!”“Only if I feared for my life,” he said, carrying food to the table.”

“It’s not that I want to join in. It’s just . . . I want to want to, if that makes any sense. My time with Toby taught me to look both ways before attempting anything new. Until now, when even the suggestion of joining in makes me resist.”