He still couldn’t get a read on her. Kieran had initially thought that he could talk to her about what happened the day before, somehow get her to open up and be honest with him. He could see that she was a bit anxious now, but he couldn’t get much else out of her, and it was frustrating. If Devon was here, he would have been a huge help. Perhaps Kieran should have gone back to get him and have him confirm things for Kieran. Still, he had already committed to this, and he couldn’t exactly abandon the plan now. “Yes, I am fine. Thank you.” Kieran answered. “I thought that…since the hospital cuts off people’s clothing, you might want to have this sweatshirt back.” He held out the folded garment, adding quickly that he had washed it. 

Once she had taken the garment, he continued. “I also came to start paying back that bill. And since I am here…I was wondering if you wanted to go out and have lunch with me.” Kieran smiled, trying put off a bit more confidence than he had felt. He had been out to tav-restaurants in this world a few times, but never to try to learn more about a woman. It had always been to just get some food to go, or sit quietly in a corner and watch the rest of the interactions so that he could understand all of the proceedings. His uncle taught him about tipping, and some of the other things that were important, but Kieran have never had to apply that knowledge with someone who was from this world. Then again, perhaps Ana wasn’t. Perhaps she had grown up in his world, and only come here recently. Sure she had a job, and she looked comfortable, but if she lived her all the time, if she hid here, then it would make sense that she would want to blend in. Kieran contemplated saying that he wanted to learn more about what she had done to save her, but he didn’t want to scare her off if she was in hiding. If she refused his offer, though, he might have to change directions and bring up what she had done for him more directly.

-.-

One of the advantages of sneaking around the outskirts of town was that few people wandered around there. For one thing, there were rumors that the lake on the eastern edge of the village was filled with curses. Rhys had been staying on the western side of town, though she knew that the path towards Lake Whyrria would be the most solitary. Further, she could get more water, which, after a bit of traveling, would be ideal. By the time she got there, the sun would be setting soon. She filled up her water, and walked along the lake’s edge, looking for a well-covered spot that could keep her warm and dry during the night. Before she came across the perfect spot, however, she came across another figure. Rhys slowed to a stop, watching the figure’s back for a few moments. She recognized him. 

Was it one of the guards? A bounty hunter looking for her? She closed her eyes, forcing her heart rate to slow. Opening them again, Rhys found that the water in the lake had receded a few inches. She exhaled slowly, urging the water to still once more before looking up at the man once more. The second time she spied him, she knew who he was instantly. He was the man who saved her from her own magic—the same magic she clearly still couldn’t control. She was embarrassed, and annoyed. He had said that she needed to relax, and the very next person she encountered almost made her create a tidal wave in a lake. The man had offered before that she could come and find him, and Rhys had the impression that he would think such now. But she hadn’t sought him out, it was merely coincidence. 

Before he addressed her, though likely because he was listening to her thoughts and poking fun at her internally, Rhys turned on her heels and began to walk the other way. She didn’t need someone to lecture her about her incompetence anymore. Besides, she didn’t even know the man’s name. If he had meant that she could seek him out in any serious manner, then he would have introduced himself.