Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

“I straighten and stretch my neck side to side. ‘I really need to hit something.â€�
Rafa’s mouth quirks. ‘I know what you need.�
‘In your dreams.� I know where this is going: it’s been the same banter for about five decades now. Usually he saves it for an audience.
‘In my dreams, Gabe, you end up slick with sweat and moaning.�
‘I have food poisoning?�
He laughs, a beer halfway to his lips. Condensation drips from the bottle. He’s completely at ease here: three-quarter cargoes, frayed t-shirt, bare feet. ‘I’m just saying that if you need distracting, I’m your man.�
‘If I wanted to go places everyone else has been, Rafa, I’d take a trip to Disneyland.�
He leans in closer. ‘Yeah, but don’t you want to know why everyone loves Space Mountain?”
― Paula Weston, Burn

“Touchrue," he muttered in disgust as he glared at the offending shrub.”
― Linda Sue Park, Beast of Stone

“Look! Look!" Jimble shouted. He raised both hands overhead, even though only one of them was glowing blue, and spoke in a gravelly roar. "I AM THE BLUE-HANDED BEASTER. KNEEL BEFORE ME OR DIE!"

"Oh, for quake's sake," Raffa said, but he couldn't help laughing.

"At least we know it works," Garith said.”
― Linda Sue Park, Beast of Stone

“Ah, that name again," Callian said. "When will I get to meet the mysterious Roo?"

"I can take you to meet her," Kuma said with a shy smile. "Later today, if you want."

"Make sure she's in the right kind of mood first," Raffa added. "If she's not, I wouldn't go anywhere near her--she can be pretty ferocious."

"Shakes, you're making her sound like--like a bear or something," Callian said.

Raffa and Kuma exchanged puzzled glances.

"You didn't tell him?" Raffa asked.

Kuma frowned a little. "I guess it never came up," she said.

"What never came up?" Callian was clearly confused.

"She is a bear," Kuma said.

Callian shrugged. "Some folks are just grumpier than others, I guess."

Raffa snorted. "No, she's a bear. A really big one." He stretched his arm overhead to indicate Roo's height.

Callian looked at Raffa. "A bear"

Raffa nodded

Callian turned to Kuma. "A bear?'

"A bear," she said.

"Um, are you-- is she--"

"A bear," they said together.

A pause.

"Okay," Callian said at least. "A bear.”
― Linda Sue Park, Beast of Stone