By contrast, Dain smiles like he's never needed to practice subduing it. The children squeal in delight and manage to completely avoid anything that resembles teamwork as they dodge unsuccessfully and try to retaliate. There may be more of them, but it's pretty clear who's going to win.

Dain scoops up a handful of loose snow and packs it slowly between his hands. One of the reasons he's never enjoyed working with a partner is the obligation not to get involved in situations like this -- the dangerously stern look he'd receive, the penance he'd need to do later. None of that is on his mind now as he whistles innocently from his spot on the side of the snowball fight, rolling his own snow gently from one hand to the other.

"I'd offer to help," he says apologetically, "but it seems you're doing a little too well on your own. Really, it would be my duty to join in."