King

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He seemed well-spoken and polite enough so far. Ah, she replied with a nod of understanding; this was a welcome reprieve from the bitter cold. It was what drew her in as well. I do not think I have smelled you here before, she mentioned afterward with a gesture to the general proximity of the hot springs, curious if this was his first time exploring the place at this length.

His question was expected, in a way. Not originally, but I have stayed in this region for months now, she replied simply with a small nod, but tilted her head to imply her wondering why he had asked afterward. She was a resident, despite her lack of allegiance. She existed in the in-between spaces, with her preferred "bases" of sorts changing with the seasons. Originally she had kept much more to the west of here, but with winter, she had been drawn to the coast and the valley in the shadow of the mountains. Looking back on it now, she realized she had been here a while -- since the end of summer. The time had, seemingly, passed quickly.