[Remy]

“Seven is pretty high!” Remy laughed as they reached the lounge. She'd done a quick look-through of the spacious house, and was happy to find that there was enough seating in the lounge. Following Vera's gesture, Remy plopped into the sofa but took care not to lean back into it. The creampuff-smudge on her dress might have dried, but she didn't want to risk ruining the couch. Despite it being springtime, Alexandria was still quite chilly.

Blinking at Vera's mention of women-chatting, Remy giggled slightly although it was mostly to herself. She never considered herself a woman, and neither did many of her friends. Even her housemates occasionally treated her like a kid. After glancing toward the kitchen and thinking of a proper way to reply, she quipped, “We met at a cafe sometime last winter and chatted for a while. He likes to talk a lot, you know? But so do I, I suppose. I wasn't sure that we'd meet again after that. City's so big and all, but here I am.” If Vera learned later that Remy was from Espur, then so be it. But for now, she didn't want to mention anything about her city.

Curiously, Remy leaned forward and placed her clasped hands upon her knees and idly bobbed a foot. She looked around to see how else Kazuma had decorated the lounge before turning to Vera again. “And you? Even though you're not relatives, you two act as if you go back a bit.”

[Kazuma]

Vera's brows were high as she dipped her chin a little, kept her gaze on the girl. “Last winter?” she repeated with interest. “Why, this is the first time I've heard of you, though! Kazu and I have much more to talk about than I expected...”

“And you? Even though you're not relatives, you two act as if you go back a bit.”

“Oh we do,” Vera admitted, relaxing her back at the cushion behind her. “Kazu and I are business partners. We go back a long way but there's nothing very interesting with our first meeting. Business is boring, after all. And I wouldn't want to bore you with uninteresting stories.” She winked at Remy.

Kazuma came in with a smile stretched and a round silver tray with a tall bottle of premium wine. Two glasses were half-filled with red liquid and a smaller one was filled with grape juice. It was clear which glass belonged to who. “Am I interrupting something?”

“You came too soon! We were just getting to know each other,” Vera said with a smile towards Remy as the host set the tray on his coffee table.

“My apologies, then. However, Ms. Remy and I cannot stay for long. We only came back so I can drop a few things, see.”

“Oh, is that right?” Vera asked as she took the wine glass that was offered to her, Kazuma taking the master's seat with his own wine glass while the older female returned her gaze to Remy. “Going somewhere fun?”

[Remy]

Upon seeing Vera's look of surprise, Remy wondered why Vera would have expected to hear about Remy. Did Kazuma share everything with his business partners? For sure, Remy hadn't spoken about Kazuma to her housemates. The only people who knew of her acquaintance with the foreign vampire was Sam, and only because Sam's job was to know all the vampires who frequented Espur. However, she let the comment slide, and with a small shrug, leaned toward one of the armrests on the sofa. “Yeah, I suppose business can be tedious,” she smiled slightly. Remy was simply relieved that Vera hadn't asked about her whereabouts. Therefore, she didn't ask more about Vera either.

Seeing Kazuma enter the room, Remy brightened considerably and leaned toward the older vampires. There was wine to be had! However, her excitement was quickly dulled as she realized the contents on the tray. She blinked with confusion that was quickly followed by disappointment as Vera took the first wine glass and Kazuma raised the second...leaving her with grape juice.

Er...

She glanced from the grape juice to Kazuma, then back at the grape juice. He knew fairly well that she was too old to be treated like a kid! She could most certainly handle her alcohol! Maybe!

If he were one of her friends back home, she would have insisted upon having wine. But she was a first-time guest in his home, so she decided to be polite. Resigning herself to her lot, Remy reached for the grape juice. “Maybe. We're going on a shopping adventure, and that should be fun, right? It's always neat to get new clothes and books.”

[Kazuma]

“Clothes and books,” Vera repeated and she laughed behind her smile as she shook her head and looked away, tilting her glass up to sip from her wine. She set it back to the table after. “Indeed, you and Kazuma do get along well. I'm almost jealous.”

“If you stay longer and not fly off to various places in a heartbeat, I'm sure we'd be closer to each other,” Kazuma said as though to tease while he finished half his wine and put it back down to the tray. He had no intentions of finishing it, not when it was all really just to be polite around his guest who he'd have to leave on her own in a very short while. In fact, he intended to fly off about two moments after Remy finished her grape juice and really, if he'd known that she could handle her alcohol, he would have obliged.

Except she was supposed to be a normal child and children don't normally drink wine unless they were having dinner. Kazuma wasn't sure that her body could take it, either.

“I will be back, though. You won't have to miss me so bad,” Kazuma said with a smirk before he turned to look at Remy to his left. “I simply want to take Ms. Remy around. So, whenever you are ready.”

[Remy]

In defense of her very kind host, the grape juice was better than Remy had expected. It was pure and not at all like the watered-down ones she often tasted during her stay in Earth. After all, things were natural over here.

To be polite, she sipped slowly and looked between the two adults as they conversed briefly. She wasn't sure how to respond to Vera, as she was sure that the woman knew Kazuma much better. Fortunately, Kazuma answered for her and took his leave. Behind her glass, Remy noted that Kazuma could have invited Vera to come along, but did not. Perhaps he was fine with leaving the woman alone over here, since they were business partners. Or maybe they'd already made unspoken promises to meet later. Either way, it was none of Remy's business to worry about it.

Licking her lips, Remy put the empty glass on the table and slid off of the sofa. “I'm all set. Where to?” Straightening her sleeves (and turning the dirty part inward), she started toward the door and nodded slightly at the older woman. “Pleasure meeting with you, Ms. Vera, though I'm sorry it was so brief.” Maybe they'd meet again, or perhaps they wouldn't. Remy wondered if the woman travelled outside of New Alexandria.

[Kazuma]

“I hope we see each other again-- Remy,” Vera said with a smile and a twiddle of her fingers as she leaned back to her seat. Kazuma knew what was supposed to come out there, though -- not Remy but rather, "Child". Vera was fond of playing her age, after all. “Maybe if you're not too tired, you can come back and have supper with Kazu and I.”

“And who's to cook?” Kazuma's voice had the boost of a hidden laughter as he pulled his door open and held it parted while he maintained his end of the conversation with the visitor. “Would you be so gracious as to offer your hidden talent to our stomachs?”

“I could,” Vera said with a laugh. “Or I could ask for Gerald to come over and prepare us a feast. Keep me informed of dear Remy's plans for the day, though. Perhaps if she has time, I shall make efforts to make my specialty.”

“Figure that out while we're about, why don't you?” he chuckled as he said this, shaking his head a little before he gestured for his younger friend to come join him by the door. “We'll be off now, then, Vera. I'll see you later.” He bowed to him, then closed the door after Remy.

“That was a surprise, wasn't it?” Kazuma said to his friend as they started out of his property. “How did you like her? I hope she wasn't too forward.”

[Remy]

Since they'd just met, Remy was simultaneously surprised and grateful for Vera's invitation to dinner. However, even she didn't know if her energy would survive past this shopping trip, so she merely nodded and promised to update Vera later. As they left the house, Remy lifted her hands for a tiny wave to Vera as the door shut behind her. Starting toward the sidewalk, she lifted her messenger bag and clicked the cloverleaf-shaped buttons together. Following the theme of the button, the bag was of a simple light green fabric with white lining, and in the upper right corner, there was a large patchwork ladybug.

Securing the bag over her shoulder, Remy replied with a smile toward Kazuma. “She seems like the sort of person who could talk to anybody. Even kids. I was surprised to see her, but then again, I think she was surprised to see me too.” Truly, Remy had enjoyed the encounter and hoped to see Vera again (despite her own discomfort with being in New Alexandria). With a small giggle, Remy tucked her hands into each opposite sleeve and clasped them together under the fabric. “We talked mostly about you, but don't worry, she didn't make too much fun of you. She's nice like that, right?” And also a tad inquisitive, but that couldn't be blamed. If a random kid showed up in her friend's life, Remy would wonder about that, too. “I told her that I met you last winter. Didn't say where though.”

Looking curiously at Kazuma, Remy reached for the man's sleeve to give it a small tug. “She said that you two go way back, but she also said that your first meeting was boring. Was it really?” Boring stories were made from uninteresting people, and Vera and Kazuma were anything but that.

[Kazuma]

“Are you actually asking an old man to remember these little details?” Kazuma asked with a laugh, face as bright as sunshine (in spite of the lack of colors -- how sad). He rather liked Remy and he was sure that Vera was not to have a hard time taking favor on the girl vampire, as well, but that was why he found it sad that he should have to lie to her. Anyway, it wasn't really her business, right? Besides, what would she think of him if she learned of his adulterous nature?

He made an effort to think about it, but eventually, he said, “Well, I suppose it is true what Vera said. It was rather uneventful -- a meeting, as simple as that.” Kazuma turned to look and smile at his friend. “Perhaps when I remember a little more, I will tell you about it. But for now, we must get you a new dress. I know of one that specializes on clothes for ladies your age however, they're deep within the western district. Shall we take a coach, then?”

OOC: You go ahead and fast forward if you think it's appropriate, please~

[Remy]

Nodding along with Kazuma's answer, Remy decided to put the subject to rest. Neither adult was willing to share, anyway. But hey, was it just her eyes, or did Kazuma suddenly turn pink? Her attention was quickly diverted however, and she grinned brightly at Kazuma's suggestion. “Yay dresses! I don't know anything about the shops around here so just lead the way. But where might we get our coach?”

...

It took a while to reach the caverns, but Remy kept herself occupied by looking out of the horse-drawn carriages and making light conversation about the area. Eventually, the two of them arrived near the point of their first destination. It was a little further past the quadrangle, and as they reached the walls of Alexandria, the carriage turned into a tunnel that sloped downward. Clutching at the edge of her seat, the child gaped in awe as she looked outside the window and saw rows and rows of glowing crystals. Eyes widening in glee, she exclaimed, “So many lights! Y'know, I've heard of the caverns, but I've never been here 'til now.”

And so she stared outside the window for a few more minutes until the coach reached its destination. As soon as she paid for her portion of the trip, Remy ran out of the carriage and tilted her head considerably to observe the skyblue crystals, shifting one foot back to prevent from falling over. Different-colored shades of blue transitioned with the ceiling as cloud-like glows moved among the crystals. Still staring, she pointed at the ceiling and wondered aloud, “How on Elysia are there clouds?”

But this fantastic journey still had a goal, so she lowered her gaze and skimmed along the shops. “And there are so many pretty shops! Is this the first one?” She peered through the shop that the coach had stopped at. Behind the decorated windows, a few child-sized mannequins stood with outfits from the winter season.

[Kazuma]

Although Kazuma was mostly a "surface person", he was not new to the Underground at all. Where else did he get a good number of his impressive clothes, after all? He was a familiar face to many of the vendors residing beneath the inner city so that when he stepped down the coach, he instantly had a smile on his face when the first friendly gaze met him and he bowed to the smiling lady behind her glass window waving at him, perhaps wishing that he would somehow drop by and purchase a little gift from her.

“And there are so many pretty shops! Is this the first one?”

Kazuma had turned his attention to the excitable child a small distance away from him and he chuckled under his breath as he noted her gaze. A vampire she might be but a child she also is...and forever will be. Sad but true. “It could be, if you want,” he called out to her as he slipped out a few notes from his wallet and handed it to the carriage driver who received it with a tip of his hat. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you, Sir,” he said.

As he left the driver to remove his carriage from the space, Kazuma slipped his wallet back into the inner pocket of his blazer and stepped towards Remy, placing a light hand on her back so that he invited her towards the door that was opened to them, the bell ringing from the movement.

“Good morning, Sir,” was the instant greeting of the lady 'varian who met them at the doorstep and Kazuma smiled kindly to her as he greeted her back. “How may I be of service to you?”

“I'm looking for a dress for my good friend here,” Kazuma gestured to the child he held. “Perhaps something seasonal and modern in taste. Can you recommend us anything?”

[Remy]

Remy was already peering into the clothing store, so when she felt Kazuma's hand lightly push her toward the door, she stepped forward with a friendly nod toward the nice lady at the front. It is difficult to guess the age of a varian, but from the look and dress, Remy guessed that the woman was still in her younger years. The woman's finely curled hair bobbed as she tilted her attention toward Remy. With only a brief pause, as if sizing up the child's tastes, the woman nodded and waved her two guests into the store. “We have a selection of dresses in the room to the left. They should be suitable for a child her age.”

As they entered the next room, the lady approached what seemed to be many child-mannequins dressed up for the winter. “Here are our newest styles for this winter. As you see, we have prepared clothing for the colder outdoors and for Xanthmas celebration as well. All of our clothing are made with the finest cottons and wool, and the colors are intended to last for years of washing.” Here, the woman paused at the side as Remy strode toward the clothing on display, her eyes bright with interest.

Fingers rifling through the clothes hanger in search of the right size, she lingered over a light blue dress that reminded her of snow, but upon seeing the angelwing patterns embroidered on the back, she quickly moved to the next piece. Eventually, she pulled out a wine-purple turtle-necked dress. The bottom of its sleeves were ruffled, and upon closer inspection Remy found purple thread patterns embroidered in leafy swirls. From the upper torso and below, the dress was a darker shade that fanned out to reach the knees.

All this while, she was aware that she had a friend waiting for her to make a decision and move on. So with the mind of keeping her friend involved, she held the dress toward herself and turned toward Kazuma with a smile. “Hm, does this dress match with my complexion?” Remy was oh-so-quite pale, afterall.

((Happy New Year! ))

[Kazuma]

Kazuma himself was looking intensely into the winged pattern of the dress Remy had discarded when the child called him and he turned to her with high brows and a “Hm?” His attention was instantly on her and her dress -- and while her taste had...class, it was clear on Kazuma's face that it...simply would not do. His brows furrowed a little as his lips pursed out minutely, and finally after a while, he said, “Now, why would you want to choose such a dark color, Ms. Remy?” he asked her as he abandoned his dress and started towards her, calm steps tapping quietly in the store. “I imagine it will make you look like a ghost, if I must be honest, but perhaps choose a more...joyous or taming color? A child should not be seen walking around, carrying the burden of her dress' color on her own shoulders, after all.” He did grace her choice with a stroke of his thumb on the embroidered sleeve, before he looked up to the lady 'varian and said to her, “Perhaps you might have some recommendations for us, Miss? We'd like something casual and elegant, if that's all right. Simple but a la mode.”

“I might have something in mind, Sir,” the lady said with a bright smile before she excused herself and hurried out of the room, leaving the pair on their own decisions for a good moment.

Kazuma watched her disappear from the door frame and listened to her steps fade out. When the silence of the Underground finally pervaded into the room, he dipped closer to Remy and finally said to her, “What I mean to say is that it's going to make you look deader than you're supposed to.”

[Remy]

A hint of a pout made it way through her small lips as she heard the verdict from her good friend. True, Remy favored colorful things as well, but she was looking for something more, well, adult. And didn't adults like to wear dark colors? With a slight nod indicating that she'd heard him, Remy listened vaguely as Kazuma spoke to the storeowner again. As she waited, she located the mirror on the wall, pivoted her body toward it, and held the dress to her shoulders. Well, she thought she looked more like an adult. But like a ghost, as well? Staring with wide eyes at the mirror, she turned to her profile and held the dress to wrap around her lower body. While it didn't immediately occur to her, she gradually saw the truth in the comments.

With a forlorn sigh, she set the dress back on the hanger and placed her hands on her hips. “'Tis a shame. I did very much like the design.” With a grin that showed her dimples, and possibly her fangs, Remy shook her head. “But I understand. One might have a nightmare if they see me wearing this in the night. Thanks for your honesty.”

From the reflection in the mirror, Remy saw movement at the door, and turned to see the woman enter with a new pair of dresses. There was a pink overall dress paired with a mid-sleeved white blouse; a yellow wool dress, and a floral green pleated dress with a turtleneck. Well, all of them were quite colorful, and experimentally, Remy reached for the pink one. With a quick thank you to the woman, she held the dress to herself and looked into the mirror. For better or for worse, she looked young.

[Kazuma]

Kazuma laughed at the image of Remy walking down a poorly lit avenue with a deep violet dress on. Indeed, she was going to look like the ghost of a lonely girl from some old movie paired with some tacky special effects. That would and would not have been a sight to see.

As the saleslady returned with three more dresses, he stepped aside to let the ladies have their space, hands at the small of his back while he watched Remy take a rosy one and hold it to her. “Careful you don't stain it, Ms. Remy,” Kazuma said to remind her as he approached the child from the back, ample heels clapping lowly at the wood-covered floor while he leaned a little to his friend's height and nodded in approval, eyes on her reflection. “Now that is a much better choice than the purple one, if I should say so myself. It brings out your cheeks and it gives you color.” Which was important for a child her age to have. “I like it very much,” he added before he rose and turned to their good helper to ask her, “Where can she try this on?”

“We have a dressing room at the back, just behind me.”

“Please assist her on these dresses. I think she might want to try them on?” Kazuma's eyes fell to Remy's position.

[Remy]

The cream puff's filling should have already dried by now, and anyway, Remy had wiped the most of it off. Just in case, however, she edged the dress away from the smudge on her own clothing. Her face tilted to the side as she examined the colors in the mirror. Indeed, it looked nice, but then again she felt everything looked nice as long as it didn't have too muddy of a color. Through the smooth surface of the mirror, Remy looked at Kazuma and smiled happily, glad to have his second opinion. “It's a cheerful color, isn't it?” With a grin a nod, she turned and sent her gaze toward the direction of the dressing rooms. She wanted to try on the dress, as Kazuma had expected.

As she strode into the changing room and saw the woman follow to assist her, Remy politely shook her head and smiled. “It's alright, I can manage the zippers.” And if she couldn't, well, it was better for her to find out right now, and not at home. Anyway, Remy would hate for the woman to see her scars.

Leaving the two to converse on their own , Remy dressed quickly, and when she finished, looked into the mirror within the changing room. Turning experimentally, she felt hem shift slightly upward from the movement, but not too high. It was a cute look for her, she supposed, and she still liked it despite the childish look it gave her. As she unlocked the door, she remembered the blotchy scar under her left wrist and hastily draped her cardigan over it. Stepping out, she looked at the two adults. “Well?”

[Kazuma]

Kazuma left Remy to the store assistant as he went back to the dresses and sought again for that one with the embroidered wings on the back. The design had been one of a kind, not easily found, and it's never left his mind since he saw it and would want another look.

“It's alright, I can manage the zippers.”

When it appeared again after a little search and he removed it from its collection so as to hold it up the light and check the details himself. The cloth was soft although the layers were a little heavy but the color was wonderful to the eyes and there was the design at the back. He hesitated about it as he ran his thumb through its cuff.

“You seem to be particularly fond of that dress, Sir.”

Kazuma glanced at her, then laughed a little, appearing slightly embarrassed as he lowered the dress and turned it around. “I suppose that I am. The wings at the back are just exquisite,” ahead of their time, even. “And the color bears a beautiful shade...” Looking up to the smiling lady, the skirt on his hand, again, he asked, “Would you happen to have anything of a similar design but for a younger child? Perhaps two or so years younger than my friend.”

“I'll look for something,” the lady said to him as she sought for a place to lay her dresses on and when she found a chair by the wall, she dumped them there and made to leave. The door had opened, however, and she and Kazuma both turned to see Remy step out, adjusting her clothes on her arm.

“Well?” she asked them.

Kazuma smiled brightly and nodded in approval. “The dress is definitely tailored for you!” he said, to which the lady agreed. He sent her away a little after to go and look for his order as he approached his anyelos friend, hands at his back.“Is it comfortable? Do you like it?”

OOC: Feel free to fast forward!

[Remy]

With a cheery grin, Remy nodded and patted the sides of the pink dress. “It is very comfortable! The zippers were a tad difficult to manage, but that's not gonna stop me from buying it.” Glancing curiously at the doorway where the woman had disappeared, Remy figured that she'd gone to help another customer, or look for something else. “Since I'm buying it, do you think she'd mind if I kept the dress on?”

It didn't take more than a minute or two for the woman to return, and she did so with a blue dress in her arms. Raising an eyebrow, for Remy recognized it as one of the dresses she'd considered, she watched as the storekeeper spoke with Kazuma about the dress. From what she could understand, she figured that it was a gift for one of his acquaintances. With their decisions determined, Remy was surprised when Kazuma generously told the woman that he was paying for both of their purchases. But while she appreciated the gesture, Remy could not accept it, and she told that to him with an adamant smile.

After leaving the store, the two shoppers proceeded deeper into the underground and entered whichever shop interested them. Remy found three more dress stores that interested her. She found a light blue and white dress that reminded of Alice in Wonderland and had set it aside with a small giggle (for how would Elysians know of that cartoon?). After that, she bought a jacket and a toy stuffed firefox. She also followed Kazuma into stores that had caught his eye. During that time, they also located a tiny bookstore where Remy purchased a new copy of Gallivan's Son.

As they stepped outside the latest attraction, Remy skipped a few steps into a random direction and looked toward Kazuma. Shopping bags stuffed with a few new purchases (and two old ones) swung at her side. It seemed as if her color palette had changed entirely. Whereas she had a black cardigan and a light purple dress in the morning, she now wore the pink overalls dress with a milk chocolate cardigan on top. “So what's next? Still want to shop...or hey!” her eyes brightened excitedly and she looked at where she thought was the exit of the cavern. “How about I visit one of New Alexandria's attractions? I have time for just one, I think...” She had been keeping track of time, afterall. They still had a few hours before sunset, and she wanted to be home by eight.

[Kazuma]

Watching the child move about each store with a spirit was a thing of enjoyable wonder for Kazuma. There was a permanent smile on his face as he followed faithfully behind her, hands on his back in spite of the many bags and purchases it held, both hers and his. It should be no wonder that he shouldn't survive the excursion empty-handed: in his possession were the two dresses from the first shop, two stuffed toys, three hats, a new scarf and a new belt. He'd always seen Remy as someone very serious, someone very "grown up" in spite of her physical age. But to see her comply to the norms of a child, and to see her enjoy it was something that might have even relieved the male vampire. It's true that she'd be this way forever -- but at least she can enjoy this moment many more times. After all, don't some adults wish they were a child forever?

“How about I visit one of New Alexandria's attractions? I have time for just one, I think...”

“Just one?” Kazuma repeated and found himself looking at his watch to check the time. Well, the child couldn't and shouldn't be denied her time of rest. She is a working individual, after all. “How unfortunate. Well, didn't you say you wanted to see the statue? The pride and glory of Alexshire, really.” He said this as he led her out of the cavern and prepared to hire a coach as soon as they were above ground. “If you ask me, that shouldn't take a very long time if you must be back early. I wish I can invite you to tea at my place, however...”

A coach soon arrived.

[Remy]

“Isn't it? And no wonder, where else in Elysia can you see Xanth? If that really looks like her--has anyone ever seen her?” Surely there were other statues of Xanth in the world, but no longer at such a grand scale. Remy heard that with the exception of the statue that they were visiting, the large ones had crumbled a long time ago. A fan of both the old and the new, she was excited to finally visit the statue of Elysia's creator. If she remembered correctly, the statue shouldn't be too far, for she had seen a signpost labeling directions to the quadrangle during their ride to the underground.

With thoughts of the underground, Remy turned and sent one last glance at the crystal-covered ceiling. Until the day that she felt comfortable enough to travel in New Alexandria alone, she'd file this image in her memories. The coach was rolling over, and she and Kazuma climbed aboard. As she settled onto the coach, she arranged her shopping bags in the empty space. “You're too kind, and I'm very tempted to say yes.” Remy showed her gratitude with a grin. “Perhaps if there is time. It would be lovely to see Ms. Vera again, if she's still there.”

They reached the quadrangle quickly, and her excitement was visible on her face as she stepped out of it. “She's huge!” she yelped and ran toward the open lawn. The statue was easily more than three times her size. As she stopped a few feet away from an offering bowl, she had to crane her neck to see the face of Xanth's profile. The goddess was truly beautiful and grand. No wonder this was Alexandria's pride.

[Kazuma]

“I'm sure Vera thinks the same,” Kazuma assured her with a smile of his own, leaning a little towards the child, his own bags at his feet. “Well, Vera seems intent on infiltrating my kitchen for dinner, so if you have a change of heart, please don't hesitate to stay longer. We'd love to have you with us at any available occasion.” That was true for him but he wasn't so sure about Vera's opinion but nevertheless, it was what sounded respectful so.

As soon as they reached the Quadrangle, he allowed the child to takeoff on her own while he took his time to step out of the coach and fix his cuffs. He bade the driver to stay and wait for them and watch over the bags which he normally wouldn't ask of a stranger, really, except he figured he and Remy could actually risk it...given what they are and all. But he trusted the man to be good and honest, anyway, and left him to lean against his ride while Kazuma walked towards his friend from the back.

“She's huge!” she said.

“She quite is,” Kazuma agreed with a laugh as he stood besides her, hands in his pocket, looking up to Xanth's chin. “She doesn't get much visitors at this time of day but just before the sun sets, you'll see them all milling about, paying a visit before they head on home. A rather remarkable habit if you ask me.”

He watched the goddess' form for a little longer, and then looking down to Remy, he said to her, “It's relieving, however, that in spite of everything that's happened to you, you remain close to your faith. It makes me glad to know.”