"I'm just a mite hardheaded," Teige said with half a grin, rapping his fist on his horns. Parker just gave him a dirty look. "Sorry. More horns than sense."

A few moments later, as they were both crouched with their backs to each other--Parker doggedly stirring a pot of paint, Teige now painting the wall he'd been working on by hand--Parker finally spoke up.

"So," she said, "if you don't come home tonight when you say you're gonna...where should I look for you?"

"Bell Hall up at the university," Teige replied, "again at the Palace after." He paused, and then added, "...Thank you."

Parker grumbled in response.

"--It was all burned up an' dark, an' there were these big dirty statues at one end, an' it smelled all damp an' rotten wood-smell. The air was real still. I seen the insides of houses that got gutted by a hurricane an' then left, before," Liya added, "this was like that, but...stiller. Older. Just creepier."

"Oho," Milou said, resting their chin on their hands, "It seems that you found the old throne room."