The next time Ronnie opened her eyes, she was staring at a dirty white ceiling. She felt like a freight train had run her over, but when she remembered the encounter with the yeti, she supposed she had.

Ronnie groaned as she tried to sit up, then yelped as she realized she was naked under the sheet. Earnest hurried over, pressing a nearby glass of water to her hands. “Easy, easy… sip on this.” He eased the lights up so Ronnie could see more of her surroundings as she took a sip.

It was a small studio apartment, and she was sitting on the bed, which took up a corner of the space. Beyond it was a worn couch paired with a TV, sitting on the floor. A small cooking space — too small to really be a kitchen — took up another corner. There was a door that she guessed led to a bathroom.

“Why am I naked?” She croaked out the question. “And where are we?”

He sat on the bed next to her. “My place. How are you feeling?”

“Like shit.” The water helped her throat. She pushed up again. Earnest leaned forward and rearranged the pillows for her to lean back, careful to keep her body covered by the sheet. “Why am I naked?”

Earnest shrugged. “I had to call in a favor to get a healer for you. You took quite a head blow, Ronnie. Broken ribs, broken nose. You’re covered in bruises. It’s a wonder you didn’t have any internal damage.”

Ronnie touched her nose gingerly. It stung, but it didn’t hurt. “I suppose this is where I thank you.”

Earnest smiled, a ghost of his smirk. “That dress was ruined. I would have found you some replacement clothes, but—” He shook his head. “Never mind. If you tell me where you live, I can fetch some of your things, or I can find some of my sister’s spares, and I’ll take you.”

Ronnie nodded slowly. “You’ll never find it without me — I have it warded.”

Earnest jumped up and started searching around the various piles. “I should have thought of that.”

Ronnie caught his arm. “Earnest.” He turned to face her. She looked down, unwilling to meet his eyes. “Thank you. And … I’m sorry if I was a bitch at the casino. You did right by me.”

Earnest put the clothes he’d been holding back down to sit back down on the bed. “You’re welcome, Rainmaker. Not many would take on a yeti in unarmed combat.”

“I’ve done stupider shit,” Ronnie smiled. “One time, my target dove underwater, thinking I wouldn’t follow since humans can only breathe air.”

Earnest put a hand to his eyes. “You followed, didn’t you?”

“Course I did. Nearly blacked out from holding my breath that long, but I got the bastard and dragged him back to shore. Vent was pretty pleased with me.”

“I can’t imagine why,” Earnest commented dryly. “The healer gave me a list of things to check when you came to, told me to make sure you don’t have a larger injury. Your memory is clearly intact, but …”

Ronnie waved a hand. “Sure, sure. What else is on the list?”

Earnest ran her through it; she passed with flying colors.

“How much do I owe you?” She asked when they were done.

Earnest frowned. “For what?”

“The healer. Can’t have been cheap. Although…“ Ronnie made a point of looking around. “Would have thought a loaded guy like you would have a bigger place.”

Earnest gave her that smirk again. “Much like the casino, planar trade doesn’t always translate to wealth in human measure.” 

Ronnie snorted and kept the sheet tight around her. “That’s a load of shit and you know. Rich people pay out the ass for all sorts of planar novelties. If you can get $10,000 at that casino by snapping your fingers, you could easily make rent elsewhere.” 

He remained expressionless, giving her a shrug. “Not all planars have tricks worth much to humankind. And not all novelties come without cost.” 

“Says the creature with unlimited soul juice.” 

“Says the Rainmaker, bane to all planar beings, yet knows so little about them.” 

Ronnie pressed her lips together. “Bullshit.” 

Earnest crossed his arms and leaned back in the folding chair he’d brought to the bedside. “Truly? I counted at least a dozen times you didn’t know what the fuck was going on in that casino, most of which was basic knowledge.” 

She tried to keep the rising blush tempered, knew she was failing utterly. “I told you, I don’t spend much time with high rollers.” 

“You know it wasn’t about that, not all of it at least.” 

“Well, I’ll admit you’re confusing as fuck,” Ronnie snapped, and seeing an out, added, “And you said you’d answer my questions when we got done with Eve, so maybe you should stop interrogating and start talking.” 

Earnest laughed, his eyes flickering sunlit. “You might be full of surprises, but you truly are the blunt instrument of your reputation as well. I agree, on a condition.” 

“Because of course.” 

“Not so hard. Question for question, honestly answered. That’s all. Wouldn’t hurt to know each other a little better before undertaking an epic.” There it was again, getting to know her. Why did he give a shit?

She shook her head. “This is just business, Earnest.” 

“Then how about I ask the first question: How much do you actually know about true epics?” 

Ronnie swallowed, the sheet suddenly scratchy against her skin. She wrinkled her nose. “Is this actually a true epic? Sounded like low-grade parlor trick shit to me.” 

Earnest eyes flashed grey. His voice went hushed. “Is that truly what you think? That a planar capable of riddle locking their name in the first place, who has stolen a dragon’s totem, is low-grade parlor shit?” 

She didn’t. Ronnie sighed. “As I understand it, a true epic is more than just a riddle. It’s an adventure that can span multiple planes, has all sorts of quests within quests, and someone can rarely solve it by themselves.”

“And one has to follow the steps,” Earnest added. “We can’t jump straight to the end. The good news is this epic is likely just for the seller’s protection. The buyer needs to solve it, or their investment is worthless. With the trolls declining the totem, the seller is already looking for other buyers. Vent’s totem, and by proxy control of the passage to Earth, will not stay on the market long.” 

Ronnie scowled. “Fantastic.” 

“Yes.” Earnest sighed and glanced sideways at her. “The ending is never in stone. It’s possible we’ll fail or lose people.” 

“Well, I’m not letting Earth get cut off while my sisters live here, so I’m willing to do what it takes. What about you?” She mimicked his posture, arms crossed over the sheet.

His lip twitched. “Is that your question — Will I do what is required for the greater good?” 

She rolled her eyes. “That’s cheap as hell but fine. Yes, that’s my question.” 

“Yes.” 

“Yes?” She blinked, then frowned. “That’s it? No reasoning, just yes?” 

“Honestly, Ronnie,” he chided, “One would think you’d never dealt with any fae.” 

“I have. I just avoid them when I can because they’re a pain in the fucking ass.” Usually.  

“I feel like this should be a drinking game,” she muttered. He laughed, the sound making her shiver. It was like she could hear the color of his eyes in the sound, midday, golden sun. She frowned, and his humor faded. They sat in silence for a few awkward minutes. 

“Do your sisters live with you? I figured it might be why you didn’t want to go to your house.” 

Ronnie shifted. That felt like a soft toss, almost a peace offering.

“It’s complicated,” Ronnie replied, grimacing as Earnest let out a soft sigh. “I bust my ass on Vent’s jobs and keep my sisters in an apartment in U-District. I want this shit out of their lives as much as possible.” 

Earnest shifted in the chair, an expression of what looked like concern flickering across his face. “Is that why you were so upset to see your sister at the casino tonight?” 

Ronnie smirked, loosening her grip on the sheet and resting her hand on her chin. “Is that your question?” 

“Touche,” Earnest replied, laughing softly. To her, it almost made the entire room feel a little warmer. “In that case, I suppose it is.” 

“Then I suppose I can answer,” Ronnie replied, tapping her finger lightly against the corner of her mouth. “Yeah,” she admitted, closing her eyes and settling back on the bed. “I never wanted any of them involved in any of this crap… I was supposed to be done- leave it to Vent to find a loophole.” 

“To be fair, the destruction of your planar connection is a pretty valid reason to bring out your best assassin,” Earnest replied, leaning over and adjusting her sheet, causing Ronnie’s face to go crimson. “Calm down,” he replied, settling back in his chair. “I already gave you my word, Ronnie.”

“So you did,” Ronnie replied, looking down at the sheet. “But, um… about those clothes you mentioned?”