If you sit down and think about it sensibly, you come up with some very funny ideas. Like: why make people inquisitive, and then put some forbidden fruit where they can see it with a big neon finger flashing on and off saying 'THIS IS IT!'? ... I mean, why do that if you really don't want them to eat it, eh? I mean, maybe you just want to see how it all turns out. Maybe it's all part of a great big ineffable plan. All of it. You, me, him, everything. Some great big test to see if what you've built all works properly, eh? You start thinking: it can't be a great cosmic game of chess, it has to be just very complicated Solitaire.
She sighed, annoyed at her restlessness. “So,†she said, disrupting Wolf in another backward glance.
“Who would win in a fight—you or a pack of wolves?â€
He frowned at her, all seriousness. “Depends,†he said, slowly, like he was trying to figure out her motive for asking. “How big is the pack?â€
“I don’t know, what’s normal? Six?â€
“I could win against six,†he said. “Any more than that and it could be a close call.â€
Scarlet smirked. “You’re not in danger of low self-esteem, at least.â€
“What do you mean?â€
“Nothing at all.†She kicked a stone from their path. “How about you and … a lion?â€
“A cat? Don’t insult me.â€
She laughed, the sound sharp and surprising. “How about a bear?â€
“Why, do you see one out there?â€
“Not yet, but I want to be prepared in case I have to rescue you.â€
The smile she’d been waiting for warmed his face, a glint of white teeth flashing. “I’m not sure. I’ve never had to fight a bear before.