"I'm grateful for it. You're a good cook, better than me, and that's one of the reasons I visit your place so often. I like the company and I like the food, and you provide both." Ben's still figuring out cooking. It's a process, and he's figured how to make a few dishes.

He has a few hobbies of his own. Ben has picked up calligraphy again and occasionally works on sketches.

"I don't know the way the spirits work, here, but you might know one if you see one. Reynard and Dyane were polite, and I'm not afraid of them, exactly, but they asked very probing questions. I don't know if there are spirits in charge of fall or summer, but since fall's here we might get to see them."