#anywhere

"And I shall worry about thee."

"Fair?" Handshake.

She takes his hand, they shake, then he kisses her knuckles "I will also try to enjoy myself. You have a blast"

An impish smile. "You know me."

"And love you"

Footsteps approaching.

Zara finds a shadow!

A knock at the door, right on time.

"Yes?" Earl opens the door.

A slim asian woman dressed in humble robes says "Mister DeBuke" She bows. earl returns the gesture. "Sorry to trouble you, but there is a gathering of introductions in two hours.A chance to meet the others who have been invited."

Kenning her, too.

For reasons.

Zara decides she doesn't want to pry. Don't ask too many questions.

And for the first time in her life, Zara Schwartz is not curious.

Earl says "I look forward to it. Am I the only American?"

"Hardly, Mister DeBuke, though they are varied. I shall leave you now." Her own face scrunches for a moment as if in confusion

Then Earl says "Thank you. Nice to know the pride of the United States doesn't just rest on me" a touch of humor? "Thank you again Miss..ah, sorry, I did not get your name"

"Krik et" She says "Or just Cricket. I must go alert others of the meeting time. Forgive."

"nothing to forgive. " he bows again, as does she , and she leaves

Zara drifts to the bed, with her book.

..well, kindle.

Earl says "I think there's something about me that threw her off. what do you think, Zara?"

"Mm? I suppose. You go to the meeting, I shall stay in and read."

"That's a joke right?" he asks

"Mm?" She glances over. "Why would I be joking?"

"Because a moment ago you were..."

"I was what? This is your retreat, nu? I will wait, maybe slip out tomorrow and see the sights."

A frown and he focuses

"Something off about you... like a gong whose tone keeps echoing."

"Zara.. what about the mystery here? the oddity?"

"Well, I'm sure it's just odd because it is Nepal..."

"Wouldn't wish to pry..."

And Zara feels the lingering miasma lift. Wouldn't wish to pry? It's her right to pry

She is sluagh! Secrets are hers by right

"Zara, think about what you just said" Earl says alarmed

"I..."

She frowns and shakes her head, as if to clear it.

"I... I think that was some kind of discouragement magic." Affronted.

"Triggered by your own kenning? IS that possible?" A pause "Clearly it is"

"Well! All the more reason to discover what lies hidden. Feh. Discourage me."

"Forgive, love - I think I must needs veil. Just in case."

"Oh dear. They've ired you" HE says "I thought repaying all debts was a Seelie notion" but he nods "But then again, since when have your passions been dictated by others. I understand, Love. Please, work with 1122 to keep an eye not just out, but to look for you now and then?"

"Aye, for thee."

"Thank you" he kisses her "Work your veil now. I think maybe veiling against magics period as well as people might be.. Ah, but you're already ahead of me"

Zara returns the kiss, then unbinds her hair. She draws it over her face, and disappears.

And even Earl soon turns to his own bussiness, as if she is not on his mind. Even though she is ever in his heart. Zara has a complex to explore!

She does!

It is deceptively quaint this place, exotic to western eyes to be sure, but the place has a humility - but Zara feels it is a facade. She can explore rooms to the left, or down down the hall to the right

Fewer doors to the right, but a set of double doors among them

Which way seems "less" interesting to the casual person?