Roofrats 8

"But you are sometimes assigned to one, then?" Weft asked, tellingly misunderstanding the word attached.

Another confused-surprised look. "No, just sometimes I like one. Do non-monks here get assigned gods, too?"

"No. Um, just in the normal way, like if your parents follow him or her or some priest takes a shine to you. So... there's nobody to tell you which one to like, then?" He thought he knew the answer but was making sure.

"Not in the sense of ordering me to, no. Of course there are people who preach to convert, but that doesn't do much."

"No. Not if they're looking for followers and don't practise what they preach, anyhow," smiled the monk.

"Exactly." Nico echoed his smile, and didn't add anything. She was afraid of distracting herself too much.

Weft was happy to let the silence roll out for a while -- at least, he was now they'd established there was no flirting.

Then he sat up in alarm. "Grace, is that the time! I have to get back right away! And I forgot I was going to tell you some exhibitions and shows to see, too."

"Don't worry about that. You made for a really interesting early afternoon." Nico stretched in preparation to leave, then looked up at Weft curiously. "Mind if I tag along? I'd like to see where your order resides."

"Not in the slightest," said Weft, springing to his feet. He tucked the crochet hook away and kept hold of the finished work, which looked like a small skullcap or hat of blue eyelash yarn.

He nodded to the attendant and led the way back upslope at a not-too-manic pace, looking at shadows.

Nico matched his speed and asked, "Do you get mugged often?"

"Never. Or not for very long," he said, giving her a dangerous, and fleeting, smile. "Ah..."

He had spotted a young white-haired child, drably dressed and scruffy, sitting on the roadside. Weft started heading towards her.

Nico observed. There was more than enough new information to keep her mind busy. She wasn't as much thinking about things, but waiting for thoughts to assemble on their own.

The girl looked up, initially wary at Weft's approach, then not. "Yer a monk," she observed.

"Hi, citizen."

"Got any food?"

"No. I've got a hat. Want it?" Weft waved the little blue skull-cap from side to side.

"No. It's rubbish," said the girl, watching it intently. "Can I have it?"

"Yes."

The child grabbed it and jammed it on her head, looking delighted. It was better-made, and definitely cleaner, than the rest of her.

"What do you say?" prompted Weft.

"Get lost, you grownup," the girl said, and stuck out her tongue.

Weft did not look very surprised at this. "So long, citizen," he said, heading back over to rejoin Nico. He explained, "Charity. It's a sacrament. We can go now."

"Also blue and fluffy," Nico mumbled.

"It's what yarn I happened to have." Weft looked towards his feet for a second, then led the way onward.

The monastery complex was in a park district whose buildings were mostly low, single or half-double storey. The monastery buildings themselves were taller and managed not to be too imposing. This was helped by the colours, including the tile mosaics on the outer walls, being quite muted in comparison to most of Offwhite's build.

Arched wooden gates were wide open, attended by two monks who smiled when they saw Nico and Weft. Through the archway could be seen a swept courtyard with an ornamental pond in the middle. A few more men were walking past inside, looking busy.

"Well, that's home," said Weft.

"Nice neighbourhood, it seems" Nico said, eyes sweeping over the park. "So, want to meet up again one of these days?"

"I'd like that. Divine, and other duties, permitting. Are you staying in the city much longer?"

"I'm not entirely sure. But I think a few days at least."

"Then I hope we'll run into each other again. If you come by and I'm not here, at least someone else more interesting probably will be," he said optimistically.

In mock-serious tone she answered, "In case you are trying to scare me, it is not working." Breaking into a narrow grin she asked immediately after, "Just one more question, are there rules about the greenery here on the lines of 'aliens only allowed when accompanied by a local'?"