"Curiosity," Billy admitted easily. There was an emphasis on the word that passed through his entire body as his weight briefly rocked onto the balls of his feet. Apart from keeping his hands out, he didn't seem all that threatened.

"I've seen a lot of odd little corners of the world, and in all that time, I don't think I've ever seen ears quite like those. And I know I've never seen a gun anything like what you've got there."