It seemed this kid could only understand words if they were spoken very slowly and loudly. Maybe he was from France, or something. Mason shuffled a little closer, and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"MY. NAME. IS. MASON," he informed Zelgadis (which was a fucking retarded name, Mason thought). "IT'S. NICE. TO. MEET. YOU."

He held out his hand. "NOW IT'S POLITE TO SHAKE HANDS."