"People like you and me? Those of us who can pass for human but aren't? The humans are always going to fear us," she lied. "So better to use it, give them a real reason to be afraid. People have always tried to defeat me too, yes. But they never have. And they never will."

"Money is so much more than fish and contests. It is coffee and candy and clothes and whatever else you want. Money is very useful, though there are ways to get what you want without it. I can teach you that too."

"As for why those are your two choices... If Shrimpy sees what you can do? She's not going to give you the choice to say no. She will make you work for her. And you'll be my enemy then and I'll have to destroy you. I'd much rather have you at my back then stabbing it. Crewed up with me, I can protect you from her."