Ripred held up his paws in mock surprise. “Oh, dear. Is this where we fight to the death? I didn’t expect it so soon.

Yes, I’m a mouse. Squeak, squeak. Now shoo-shoo back to your little bug friends,” said Rirped, picking up a hunk of dried beef. He tore a off a piece with his teeth and noticed Boots hadn’t moved. He pulled back his lips to reveal a row of jagged teeth and gave her a sharp hiss.

And did anyone here bring me food? I'm famished."

[Gregor's] fingers found a stray fortune cookie from the night before and he pulled it out. "Here," he said.

Ripred reacted with exaggerated amazement. "Oh, heavens, is this whole thing for me?"

"Look, I didn't even know --" Gregor began.

"No, please. Don't apologize." Ripred's tongue darted out and flicked the cookie into his mouth. "Oh, yes, oh, my word," he raved as he chewed and swallowed. "I'm absolutely stuffed!

All of the creatures were staring fixedly at Boots. She was standing on the back of her loyal cockroach friend, Temp, smack in the middle of the octagon, singing "The Itsy-Bisty Spider" at the top of her lungs. The green spider, to whom the song principially was directed, seemed to be cringing. Boots was somewhat off-key, but Gregor was pretty sure it was the loudness that was making the arachnid hunch down and contract.

"She has been going on like this for hours," whispered Nerissa. "Days more like it," said Ripred in disgust.

"Next I will sing one for you!" announced Boots, pointing at the bat, who actually flinched.

You want a piece of advice?" said Ripred.
"Don't bother. I know what you'll say. The whole thing's stupid," said Gregor.
"Quite the contrary. I was going to say that life is short. There are only a few good things in it, really. Don't pretend that one isn't happening." said Ripred.

Because, sometimes, things happen to people and they're not equipped to deal with them.