"I see. Well, social graces or not, I think you got the better end of that deal." She was so accepting about everything, too. Weird! "So you still talk with your sister now and then?"

"Positive thoughts, huh?" He paused. "Those are kind of in short supply where I come from; I usually get by on cynicism and explosions. But if there's a way to win, I'll find a way to make it happen."

That's what he was made to do, after all.