Ugh.

At least if there's a conspiracy, Serafin's probably involved, so she'll get an acceptable excuse to kill him. Which is very cheering, really.

She sighs, then turns to resume looking around the town. It's been a while since she was last here, she has ever so much to catch up on.

"Sure. Where were we? Non-embarrassing facts? Want me to go first again?"

"Since you offered, yes, why not."

"All right... I've known I wanted to be a mathematician since I was eight, which is when I first heard of algebra. Your turn."

He laughs. "I have no such ambition. You're going to accuse me of being conjured out of a romance novel again, but all I want to do with my life is live in a beautiful castle surrounded by every conceivable luxury."

"You sure are something," she says, smiling up at him.

"Something good, I hope?"

"So far!"

"I'd better keep up the good work, then, hadn't I?"

"Signs so far indicate you probably don't need to worry too hard. Unless this has all been an elaborate deception orchestrated to seduce me."

"Elaborate deceptions aren't my cup of tea. I prefer to be direct."

"Subtlety has its place," she says. "But I like directness when I can get away with it. Want to come back to my place for a cup of tea and a chat?"

"That sounds like an excellent idea."

"Let me just call my aunt."

She gets out her phone and calls home.

"Yes?"

"Chris! Hi! You sure know how to pick 'em," she says. "We're headed home now. Seriously, did you conjure this guy out of a romance novel or what."

"No comment," she says. "I've got to maintain my mystique somehow. See you soon."

She laughs. "See you," she says, and she turns to lead Serafin home.

Chris goes looking for Miles and Yvette.

They're cuddled together in the basement, Yvette on her laptop and presumably figuring out the ranged ensouling spell.

She knocks politely.

A good habit to keep, really.

"Come in," calls Yvette, glancing up.

In she goes.

"So, good news and bad news," she says. "Good: Liesel called, and she met Serafin and it went well and they're headed back here now. Bad: She was acting like I'd set her up on a blind date, which means they were being watched, or suspected they were, and that was her cover story. I think you two should stay down here until further notice."

Yvette nods, pensive.

"I think I agree."

"We can hope the suspected observer was unrelated to any of this, but..."