Samit Basu

“I just don't see why having these powers makes it necessary for all of us to become politicians, warriors, social workers, whatever. We would have tried it before if we really wanted to do it. None of us chose to spend our lives helping people before we got our powers - why should we do it now? Because comics say we should?”
― Samit Basu, Turbulence

“Just ask me anything you can think of,’ said Gaam kindly.

The Sphinx leaned forward. ‘What have I got in my pockets?’ she asked, an insane glare in her eyes.

‘That’s not a riddle, that’s a question!’ said Gaam indignantly.

‘Well, you said she could ask you anything,’ said Erkila smoothly. ‘So you have to answer her. But I admit it’s a little strange. Where did you get this riddle?’ she asked the Sphinx.

‘I don’t remember. Possibly from someone I ate,’ murmured the Sphinx. ‘Well, mortal?’

‘Are you sure you want me to answer your riddle?’ asked Gaam.

‘Of course.’

‘And you will let me go if I answer correctly?’

The Sphinx shot a look at Erkila, watching them calmly. ‘Yes,’ she said.

‘Very well. When I saw you first, I noticed that like all Sphinxes, you are half woman and half lioness. Also, like all Sphinxes, you do not wear clothes. Since you do not wear clothes, you have no pockets. Therefore, you cannot possibly have anything in your pockets.’ He bowed. ‘A somewhat impulsive question, if I may say so.’

‘There’s no need to gloat,’ grumbled the Sphinx. She padded off, leaving Gaam with Erkila.”
― Samit Basu, The Simoqin Prophecies