Ooh. "You know, assuming you were serious about being able to leave, I really like the idea of--showing up at the capitol at some point in the future, and just flabbergasting people with the idea that a girl who was spirited away to the Howling Mountain ever came back in one piece."

"I'd say 'think of my reputation!' but I think my reputation would keep right on going," he says.

"Yeah, and after I agreed to dance with you in plain view of everyone people would probably just say I was a wicked sorceress rather than a 'girl who gets spirited away.' Less amusing than my original thought. Oh well."

"People have trouble with nuance. You almost never hear anyone tell stories about me spiriting boys away, even though it happens. Not as often as girls, but often enough that you'd think in three thousand years the gossips would've caught on."

"Yes, because it's not possible to like boys and girls, oh no, that's not a thing at all."

"And it's not as if anyone's ever come back to explain what I do with them. But of course they assume that too, because it fits the narrative. It's a little ridiculous."

"Yeah, most of the stories I've heard about you are not so much the kind of thing to take seriously."

"The ones where I'm a god are flattering, at least!"

"I can see that, although I think it would be more flattering if they had more otherwise accurate information about you."

"Can't have everything," he shrugs.

"Indeed."

"Anyway. Here are the guest rooms. Feel free to wander the castle and grounds, but please stay out of the northwest wing unless expressly invited; it belongs to my daughter. If you sit down at the table in the dining hall, food will appear in front of you. Anything else you want to see before you disappear into the library for hours?"

"Can't think of anything in particular."

"Enjoy! If you need anything, I'll hear you if you say my name from anywhere on this mountain."

"Convenient!"

He grins, waves, and dissolves into a breeze that whisks away down the corridor.

She--

doesn't unpack, because she didn't bring anything with her. She should probably have asked about clothes. Is there a wardrobe or anything in the room?

There is indeed a wardrobe, which, when opened, contains clothes that fit her! They're all in centuries-old styles, of course.

Pretty, though, and it's not like there's anyone around who'll look at her funny for dressing in centuries-old styles.

But first: back to the library!

The library is still there and still full of books. So many books.

So many books!

She's going to start with that one shelf she saw to begin with on the eighth floor, and she's going to explore on her way up.

It seems to be organized with the most recent books at the top. If she goes down to the bottom floor, everything is in Ansati. Maybe in a few centuries there'll be a ninth floor.

Yeah she doesn't speak Ansati she's just going to leave those alone for the moment. Maybe she can learn Ansati, that sounds fun. But later.

The modern(ish) Nathuremi books on the eighth floor are right where she left them!

Ee.

Are there comfortable reading chairs in evidence anywhere or should she just sit on the floor.