'Oh he will,' Kyle pauses, testing the atmosphere, and then grins again. Still playing. He doesn't really need to compete with anybody, his people are the best, brightest stars in his sky and no one can hold a candle to them.

'I know,' he says. Faith, pure and simple. He tickles Jim's foot again, just in case. 'Hm, you're really not ticklish. What am I supposed to do now? Just kiss you?'