He’s not there. It seems like there might be a back room, though, judging by the stairway leading to a door.

"Excuse me?" she calls to the man behind the counter.

“Eh?” He stops chewing on the toothpick in his mouth momentarily.

"I was supposed to meet Varia here, you wouldn't happen to know where he is?"

There’s a pause. Then he takes the toothpick out of his mouth completely. “What’s it to you?”

"I was supposed to meet Varia here," she repeats, "and would like to know where he is. So I can meet him."

He inspects her critically. “I’ve never seen you before. What family are you from?”

"I don't see how that's any of your concern."

“Ah. I see.” He returns to chewing on his toothpick.

She rolls her eyes and pulls a battered compass from her cloak pocket.

"Point me 'Varia'."

— the compass is suddenly scalding.

She drops it with a gasp.

"For Merlin's sake, it's just a compass," she hisses, cradling her hand to her chest.

The man sitting behind the counter is nonchalant. “I asked what family you were from, darling,” he says, the toothpick hanging out from one side of his mouth alarmingly. His wand is loose, casual in his hand.

There’s an ambiguous bruise on her hand from where the compass had been.

"Varia failed to mention there was a gatekeeper."

He smiles. It’s not a pleasant smile. “Did he? That would be like him. Perhaps he forgot.”

"Perhaps you could remind him I've arrived, and he can clear the matter up himself."

“I could do that.”

He doesn’t move an inch.

She scoops up her compass and leans pointedly against the wall.

...and then immediately drops it again. It’s hot, maybe more than last time. “I can keep this up all day, sweetheart,” the man says. “All I’m wondering is, why you so reluctant, hmm?”

If Elise is paying attention, she might notice his accent is affected.

"I don't see a need to hold myself accountable to strangers."

"And I don't feel a need to tell strangers where Varia is. So it seems we're an impasse, sweetheart."

"That's assuming I know where he is, of course."

This hadn't been a good time to stand on the principle, but like hell is she slinking out of there with her tail between her legs now. She sets her jaw and settles back against the wall, compass left lying on the floor.

"I suppose I'll wait, then."