All characters belong to Tamora Pierce

Tammy Drabble 59 - Elements

"But they do sometimes make each other if the right circumstances exist," Neal said. Kel and Seaver knew better than to argue, especially when Neal was smirking.

Faleron was not so smart, thought he certainly thought he was. "Nuh-uh," he countered defiantly shaking his head.

"Sure," Neal argued again. "Want an example of fire and air making earth?"

"If you mix fire and air you get smoke, nothing more," Faleron stated stubbornly.

"Not if it's a volcano," Neal replied, his eyebrows raised.

Kel kept her face Yamani smooth, though inside she was grinning. Seaver looked like Midwinter had come early.

"A volcano is a little more than fire, Nealan," Faleron countered.

"True," Neal agreed. "But not if you look at the illustrations in the book, like you were doing."

Faleron's expression was icy. "Fine, I'll give you that one. But I'll bet you can't come up with another example."

"Fire and water," Neal said easily. "Steam is pretty much air – at least you'd have a devil of the time sorting one from the other." Seaver began to laugh.

"Oh, for crying out loud!" Faleron gathered his books and left the room.

"You really shouldn't mess with him like that," Kel said softly. "It took a lot to get him here."

Neal glared, his arms folded across his chest. "I can't help it if he's ele- MENTAL."