[ Food is extremely important, and right now Rafael is beginning to fear he may never eat again once Scipio succeeds in cutting off circulation to his fork arm. He doesn't shake him off, but sets a hand on his friend's shoulder and gives it an encouraging pat. ]

Elves are always angry, Skip, that's just how elves are. Surely she didn't mean it personally. Nobody dislikes you at first sight unless we mean them to. You weren't in character, were you? No fake nose or anything? What did she do, then? Did she explain?