"Ha," Aulus gave a lopsided grin and shook his head. "I tried smoking once, made me gag but I was twelve and stubborn determined to do it. Course, then my mother caught me and made me smoke the whole pack and could never face one ever again." For the best really, and the intended effect. Still, he'd been really pissed off at the time. He'd thought it would add to his tough guy image, or at least go some way to counteracting the braces and vegetarianism.

“Suppose we should be grateful to Star for effecting our rescue,” Aulus went on with a sniff, “but from what I’ve heard about him so far he’s a hard man to pity. Doesn’t do himself any favours, you know? Entitled like, and arrogant.”