There's a passage in Issola where Teldra talks about the nature of young Dragonlords to be self-centered, to see the world in terms of how it affects them and what they ought to do about it, when in fact sometimes the thing which needs doing doesn't need to be done by them. Although Miss Manners never puts it in these words, it really is "the essence of courtesy," is it not? I owe a debt of gratitude to Teldra for vocalizing the sentiment, and to Miss Manners for helping me to see the distinction in practice. I think they are largely responsible for salvaging a long-term, somewhat frustrating friendship of mine and turning it into something absolutely marvellous. Or perhaps it's been marvellous all along except for the way I would periodically torpedo it through self-centered if well-intentioned reasoning. Sigh. I hope Vlad and Cawti can work out their differences in Dzur. Maybe Teldra will make a difference. Max Wilson -- Be pretty if you are, Be witty if you can, But be cheerful if it kills you.