Listen, Mikey, she said, "when somebody tries to bully you, just punch him on the end of the nose the way you did old Panfilo. […] [Y]ou be just as mean as you want to be and at least give him his money's worth.

She fished in her carisack for drops, then tilted her head back to administer them.

After several drinks, I confided my problems to the barman.

The siege of Dristra failed, as the emperor found himself surrounded by the Pechenegs. […] Fearing a Cuman–Pecheneg alliance, Alexios immediately sued for peace and the Pechenegs agreed to a truce, which they immediately broke in order to take advantage of Alexios' notorious lack of troops and invade Thrace.