---
Sera's eyes widened. "He offered to teach you himself," she said. "He has not taken a student in—" she stopped counting. "A very long time." She shook her head as if to clear it. "Then it is true what I felt in the village yard. You are talented and rare. That is not a bad thing. It is a true thing."
Fizz took another cake. "Yes," he said, mouth full. "He is dangerous and rare. I am cute and rare. Between us we cover many categories."
Sera reached out and ruffled Fizz's fur with one careful finger. "You are also trouble," she said.
"Some trouble is holy," Fizz said, and popped an apple slice in his mouth to show he was being devout.
