Kel opened the door and saw his classmate standing there.  Though the man was several years older than Kel, for some reason he liked hanging around Kel.  Maybe the money had something to do with it.  "What do you want? You'd better not just want me to pay your bar tab."  The guy still owed him over two hundred coins.

"I need you to sponsor me in a contest." Kerras said.

"For the last time, you aren't gong to beat those guys in a drinking contest.  I don't care that you're half again as big as them."

"No, not that.  They're having a pie eating contest in the human sector in three hours and I need 50 coins to join."

"And what are your chances... No, scratch that, you thought you could win those drinking contests too.  Have you trained?"

"Well, no, but I like pie, so I should be able to eat at least a few of them."

Kel sighed.  *It's like dealing with a child.  I've got to deal with it, though, or he won't shut up.*  "Fine, but you're paying me back double if you lose, and I get half your winnings if you win."  

"Good." Kerras said as Kel went to grab his coat.  Kel went over to the alchemy table to grab his now depleted necklace and noticed thin green lines in the titanium block.  *I did it.* he thought as he walked out.