"Don't flatter yourself," said Maxima flatly. "It did [i]not [/i]take that much prep to beat you. I came here to tell you something it took me too long to learn. The people in the hexadome? They're not your friends. They're your co-workers. They don't owe you anything. They're playing their roles. When they want to hang out, train together? They're trying to get something from you. One day they'll bounce. Don't break your knuckles over it."

She turned, raised a hand in a wave. "Keep the stuff. Later."