“A day?” Eira waited while he searched some more, then finally stepped back from the closet. “Exactly what kind of trip are we talking about?”
“It is still entirely up to you if you wish to come.” He continued, turning to a side cabinet. His fingers flew over a tiny keypad in the corner and the space opened to reveal a clothes steampress. He suspended the cloak by the hood and shut the door, pressing the appropriate buttons. “You can’t go as a girl though.” He whirled from the steampress to the kitchen.
“I can’t what?” Eira sputtered. “Hold up here-did you just tell me-“
“I did and I’d appreciate it if you really would pay attention. You always sound as if you are at a loss for words or something.” He found a knapsack from under the sink and began filling it with tiny pouches.
“A loss for words.” Eira winced. That may have been partially correct, but she wasn’t going to take him up on it. That, and she couldn’t help repeating what he said, mainly it was to assure herself that she wasn’t hearing things. Things that she wished she hadn’t heard. “What do you mean I can’t go as a girl?”
The eyes locked onto hers again. “You really don’t get much, do you?” He sighed, straightening, the knapsack in one hand. “Okay. I’ll review. You want me to train you, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Do you wish to be a student, or an apprentice?”
“What’s the difference?”
“A student is expendable, an apprentice isn’t.” He said, matter-of-factly.
Eira blinked. “I see.” She was quiet for a moment. “If I don’t want to be either…then what?”
“I kick you out.” He ducked behind the counter again, resurfacing with a handful of thin cloths. “Seriously. Guest or not, I really do have to go and I’m afraid I can’t leave you here alone.”
A slight prickle feeling shivered along Eira’s shoulders. “I don’t think I’d want to stay here alone.” She muttered.
He smiled. “Actually, this…home…was built for me by a good friend. It is to cater to my every whim.” He paused. “I suppose I should just say outright that the house is alive.”
“Where would I go?” Eira gnawed on a fingernail, her thoughts twisting and tumbling over each other. “Would you be able to drop me off…anywhere specific?”
He shrugged. “Aye. If you so wish it.” He exited the kitchen, brushing past her. “I don’t mean to rush you in such a delicate decision, but if you could hurry it up. I need to be gone from here by lunchtime.”
“What happens at lunchtime?”
He perked a brow. “Eira.” He tested her name. “You really don’t want to know.”