[Can it be helped that they're so irresistibly tinkerable?]

What do you mean, 'can't invent everything in a year'? [Deon asks, intrigued. He hasn't gotten the lowdown on the Dreaming situation yet, nor Malicant.

To the shopkeeper:] Five juulan, or I'm walking away, and you won't get anyone willing to pay half so much for that.