QUOTE : Efren’s mouth was busily chattering away, his body animated as though narrating some fascinating storybook adventure. The Braetic’s eyes were glued on the Viidun, sparked with interest.<br /><br />“Betcha a meal Ef gets that necklace for the same purse of worthless coins Kira tried to trade,” Eena heard Kode whisper to his girlfriend.<br /><br />“Betcha he pays up far more than that,” Niki whispered back.<br /><br />“No way. He’s got the idiot eating out of his hands. Ef’s a freakin’ master!”<br /><br />Right on cue came the predictable slap to the head. <br /><br />“Ouch!”<br /><br />Then the cursing. Followed by another smack.<br /><br />“Sadistic witch!”<br /><br />“Filthy bonehead.”<br /><br />A minute of pouting silence ensued. “So you gonna bet me or what?”<br /><br />“Yeah, I’ll take a free meal from you any day.”<br /><br />“You’re on, Niki. Ef’s not givin’ up nothin’. He’ll have that necklace for the purse, if not for free.”<br /><br />“You’re a fool if you believe that. That oversized, lovesick warrior’ll be givin’ up the shirt on his back for Kira’s necklace. You don’t understand Braetics, nor the powerful influence of true love.”<br /><br />Eena could see Kode’s eyes roll to the back of his head. They all watched, wondering who would be right.