Off-Worlders

  *****

  "Well, who would have thought?" Aqua-eyes mused. "Is she trainable?"

  "Anyone who can see the answer is not the board-game left as a clue is trainable," Klaus replied, and winked. "They're the real lateral thinkers, after all."

  "Temperamental," Aqua-eyes muttered.

  "The best of us are," Klaus huffed proudly.

  "True enough." Aqua-eyes laid an arm around the lonely and ever so patient Bridge-Master's shoulders, held him close, and smiled.