Chiaya entered the living room and found Karan sitting on the couch, examining a book in his hands.
"You didn't sleep," Chiaya said.
"I didn't have the urge to sleep," Karan replied.
"That's interesting," she thought aloud, then asked, "Are you reading?"
"No, not really. I don't know how to read this book. I was just studying the script."
"How's that possible?" she asked, surprised. Karan spoke the language fluently.
"The writing charakters used in Narval is different from this one," he explained. "But I think I could learn it with some effort. I just don't have time for that right now." Narval didn't sound like a familiar place.
She had been meaning to ask where he was from but her thoughts were interrupted by what Karan said.
"Chiaya, there are things I want to ask you."
The seriousness in Karan's voice sent a slight chill down her spine.
"Of course," she replied.
"Do you know where Elara Vardal is?" he asked.
"She's not someone I know, but… why do you ask?"
Karan was surprised. Almost everyone in Narval knew who Elara Vardal was.
She was originally born on Earth, but the fact that she wasn't known in her own realm caught him off guard. "She's the only person I know here, and I need her help."
Chiaya wanted to ask who the woman was, but she didn't want to seem like she was prying.
"Is there any way I can use my soul power here?"
Chiaya hesitated. "Well… I mean, I don't really believe in that kind of stuff, but there are psychics and such. I've heard there are even courses on spiritual energy. But like I said, I've never been interested, so I never looked into it."
She paused, then added, "Is that why you're looking for Elara Vardal? Is she doing this kind of job or something? Don't you have her phone number? Or maybe an address?"
"What's a phone?" Karan asked.
"It's this thing we use to call people and send messages," she said, showing him her phone.
Karan took the phone in his hand. When the screen lit up, he was surprised.
"Such a strange stone," he said, examining it closely.
Chiaya was slowly beginning to suspect there was something strange about this man. "Phone" was one of the first words people learned in any language. How could he not know what it was?
Besides, why was he staring at the phone as if he was seeing one for the first time in his life?
Where exactly was this Narval — a place so forgotten even by God himself?
"Karan… Where did you come from? And why?" Chiaya asked.
"I opened a gate from a realm called Narval to this world and came through. I don't want to tell you why I came because the more you know, the more your life is at risk. For the same reason, I don't intend to stay here long either.
Thank you for your help, but if my clothes are dry, I'd like to get going."
Chiaya wasn't sure if she was even breathing.
Calm down, Chiaya. Right now, she was facing someone who seemed caught in a delusion or suffering from some form of psychosis. She hadn't dealt with anything like this before, but somehow, she would find a way.
Taking deep breaths to steady herself, Chiaya finally said, "Alright, then."
As she pulled the clothes out of the dryer, she thought to herself:
Not a single wrinkle on any of these clothes. Not even on that heavy cloak. What kind of fabric could this be made of?
Then she scolded herself:
Is this really what you should be focusing on right now?
When he took his clothes and went into the bathroom to get dressed, Chiaya started to think. Even though Karan spoke strangely, she didn't feel threatened by him. Perhaps his protecting her on the street last night was influencing her judgment.
Or was it because he was handsome that she felt safe?
She had read in a study that attractive people received lighter sentences than those who committed the same crimes.
Perhaps this bias extended beyond the courtroom—maybe it influenced her sense of danger as well.
Karan got dressed and stepped out of the bathroom. He carefully strapped on the pauldrons, vambraces, and belt from his sack.
As he was about to put on his boots, Chiaya asked, "Do you have any money?"
"What?"
"Never mind. Here, take this. You don't have to pay me back."
Karan take the money, bent down and, saying "Oh, thanks," began wiping the vomit stains off his boots with it.
Chiaya suddenly shouted, "What are you doing? That's a hundred bucks!"
"What's a buck?"
"Ugh! Here," she said, pulling out a few wet wipes from the pack and handing them to Karan.
Karan stood there, holding the wet wipes, staring blankly at Chiaya's face.
"What are you doing? Wipe your boots!" she exclaimed.
"I was just doing that, but you started yelling," he replied
She was upset and didn't know what to do. Karan folded the wet wipes carefully, like they were a precious piece of fabric, and said, "I wish I could wash these and return them to you, but I don't think I'll see you again." Normally, Chiaya would have burst out laughing at something like that—but right now, the weight of the situation kept her from doing so.
"Karan, maybe we should go to the police.".
"Where is this police? Is there any chance I could find Elara there?"
"I don't really know. Maybe. Maybe they can help you."
"How do I get to this police place?"
"I'll come with you. I'm getting ready quickly."
"No, I don't want you to come with me. I told you, it's not safe. Just tell me how to get there."
Chiaya was starting to get frustrated.
"You don't even know how to use money, Karan. You don't have a phone. We're not living in the Middle Ages when people set out on adventures with just a map. How do you expect to find your way? I'm coming with you."
Karan thought Chiaya was right. He didn't argue anymore and nodded in agreement.