Bantering with the magpies

In the Lion's Mouth

For your amusement, a snippet of dialog from the new book.  Donovan has just been removed from an autoclinic following a long recovery by two "magpies".  (These are Confederal subordinates to the Shadows.)  The younger magpie is a medic, and after a bit of talking......

Donovan looked at the older magpie.  “You don’t talk much.” 
“Don’t need to, usually.” 
“And you are…?” 
“Your sparring partner.  Physical therapy.” 
“I had enough sparring with Ekadrina.  I was hoping to...