"If I heard someone sing more beautifully than you I think I would cry, and I prefer not to do that in public."

"We have invented devices that will record music and let you play it back anywhere you like."

"Well, then maybe I'd survive."

"What is your name?"

"Sekar."

This is not the Emperor's name; the Emperor's name is Solekaran. But it's not entirely unlike the Emperor's name, either.

She was not expecting the unvarnished truth. "I'm glad you enjoy my singing."

"It's beautiful."

"Thank you. What do you do?"

"Well, I already mentioned architecture. I don't really have a career as such. Don't need one, I've got money regardless."

"In Valinor and some Endorë Elf countries, there's an arrangement where the government gives everyone plenty to live on, funded by taxes on people who choose to work anyway or want scarcer things than necessities."

"Huh. Does it work?"

"Yes. It does mean that we can take time off if we need to, such as when there are children in the house."

"Sounds nice."

"It is!"

"Am I keeping you from anything? I wouldn't want to overstay my welcome."

"I have no plans."

"Well, all right."

"It's convenient that people here like my singing. I could have sold off some of the jewelry, but it's finite and I might be here for a long time, even forever. And there's no basic income and apparently debt is a serious problem if accumulated here."

"...forever?"

"Elves do not die for no reason. A Vala can put us back if we die for a reason, but it's never happened to me. I don't have dangerous hobbies."

"Huh. Lucky Elves. Raising the dead isn't a power I've heard rumoured around here."

"Nor I."

"But I'm well aware I don't know everything."

"And I've been on this planet less than a month and should not assume I know even most things about it."

He laughs.

"What things have surprised you so far?"