"Hah, as if complaints ever did much good. I live my life giving them," she said, her lips pulled back in a tired old smile. Her whole life was a string of complaints for as long as she could remember. "But who knows? We'll probably come up with something to complain about eventually. Maybe they'll even listen to you. Wouldn't hold my breath."

Oddly, having other things to focus her constant bitterness on made it easier to almost be a normal conversationalist. She watched the flames quietly. They really were soothing for contemplation.