The boy looked at Aleia warily and turned his back. Aleia sighed and muttered, "I suppose that's a 'no'." She turned about and made her way back to the bar. On the way she spotted Benia, who waved. Aleia waved back and thought, She must be leaving.
As she sat down, she set her coffee and toast upon the table. Then she wrapped herself in her cloak and sat there thinking quietly. After a while, she noticed the woman beside her looking quite lonely.
"Excuse me, miss," said Aleia, tapping the woman on the shoulder. "I am Aleia Took, of Tookland. I was wondering if you would like to chat for a bit with me." As she waited for the answer, Aleia noticed the woman hastily brush away a few strands of red hair.
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"There's a big...machine in the sky...some kind of electric snake...coming straight at us."
"Shoot it," said my attorney.
"Not yet...I want to study its habits."
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