#anywhere

"I have not met one of your kind so we are even," He chuckles, relaxing more. The well cured black tea is heated and prepared... and yes, a squirt of yak milk

"I am a sluagh. We are dreams of hidden places, and secrets, and the frightful creak in the dark of night."

"I had thought you more tied to death," he says surprised. "I am a Yeti, kin to those you probably know best as trolls. We are dreams of reclusivness in the wild, strong in our solitude, and so on. I suppose it is only natural one of your kith would seek out the hidden places one of my kind might be at."

The yak milk is bitter and thus delightful

"Death is a friend, but we do not herald it. Oh, this is wonderful! I suspect it will not be so easy to acquire at home..."

"I can give you a jug if you promise not to share my location with too many?"

"Oh, no. We hold our secrets as treasures, and I do not intend to part with them. My Love may hear some of this, for he knew I sought what was unknown - but your home, and the path here? Nay, they are precious and shall be held close in mine vault."

"Oh then yes, the jug of yak's milk is most assuredly yours. I should warn you, there are dangers here. Chimera mostly. SOmetimes I have to grab some by their scruffs and throw them"

"The Tiger is terribly conflicted."

"Ah yes. I should remember to bring out some rabbit near them..bit of glamour in it"

"They were hungry. I fear I could not aid them."

"not in the way they want no, that's a bit too much, ghost girl" A sip "This is good tea" He admits

"I am glad it pleases. It is one of my favorites. I brought it with me in hopes of sharing it."

"You are a generous soul, yet I feel I have so little to give beyond the roof of my yurt over you." He ponders "YOu must beware the abominibles"

Head-tilt. "The abominables?"

"Chimera born of more nightmarish tales.. not true changelings.... but often blood thirsty and angry. They are beastial. Terrible conversationalists. They would hunt you if they found you"

"I shall endeavor to be stealthy, then. And, mayhaps, seek my haven again ere nightfall."

"That would be wise, night falls early here. Can you make your way in the dark?"

"I can. The Night, too, is a friend."

"Very good... now, you have found me, so let us trade tales with tea. And then, I will shoo you out and not be seen for weeks. It is the way" A nod

"Oh, aye. I would ne'er fain endanger your reputation as a hermit."

"Excactly" and he tells her of Hsien and Kithain that she's not heard of...or seen. And he asks her to confirm some tales about other western Kithain

A fair trade - tells of towering blue trolls and clever-handed nockers, of silver-tongued pooka and shining sidhe.

Of the sidhe he has heard, and he met a pooka once, most confusing. He mentions dreams of jade castles that float on top of pearl clouds. Despite his shy nature, he tries to make it interesting and so it is

Zara is a good listener, who does, indeed, seem to treasure each new thing.

And as it gets darker, the Hermit says "It was less horrible talking to a stranger than I expected" High praise "But it has grown dark ... and while you can see at night, it will grow very cold very soon. Too cold perhaps even for a ghost girl. You should head down now, quiet as undisturbed snow"

He hands her the jug of yak milk

"I shall. Please, keep the tea. May it warm you when the world is cold."

She takes the jug, and bows.

"Namaste" he bows back "And thank you"

"Shalom, friend." And she departs.

Zara is stealthy, and she moves past the arguing tiger, and knows to avoid the strange howls in the mountains that are most like abominibles

She is curious, but she's not suicidal.

And somehow, knowing what they are makes it easier to resist.

Indeed.

"Well I have done brighter things" A voice says

Veiled, Zara seeks the speaker.

And Zara sees him.. a mountain climber, fancy gear! A look of confusion...

oh he's also dead.

The wraith says "Where am I? It's like everything's. .guazey"

How close is she to the ashram?

Another mile .. much of it down

"I fear you have died, sir."

In speaking, the veil pops like a soap bubble - but she is also away from the Tiger and the beasts.

"Dead? No way. I bought the best gear available. I mean, I got over a thousand dollars worth of gear on me" He looks at his stuff "Don't I?"

"Fate can have a sense of irony, aye. Come, walk with me."

"Okay. Ah, I'm Jeff Witmore? of the Scarsdale Witmores?"

"Scarsdale?" Surprise, eyes widening.

"You... nay, you cannot be Erica's brother..."

"YEAH! You know Erica?"