"Yay. I lost. Again." Neal laughed and patted her shoulder. Imrah was not there, as he had gone to a party once he had gotten a promise from Neal that he would follow. Jerry had given her the week off so that the King could present her, though she hadn't told him that. He was planning on the night before Midwinter, when many of the Lady's were introduced. It was a good way to get her used to court functions, he had explained, without putting her in the thick of things. She would attend a few of the party's and then return to work. Jerry thought that she was with family in Port Caynn. She sighed, and wondered what Jerry would think if he knew that she was in the palace, playing chess with one of the realms near knights. "What are you thinking about Xlelon? You have that look." "What look?" Neal grinned. "The one when you look like you're about to tear your hair out." She shook her head. "Stop trying to read me! You should be going to that party with Imrah.then again, I should be going to the palace tailors to get that dratted dress fitted." Neal laughed and began to set the board up again. "The line between going to do, and have intentions of doing is thin, I think we both prove that." "No kidding, hey look, it's snowing again." Neal glanced out the window. "So, tell me something new." She glared at him, but he didn't notice, whether purposefully or unpurposefully she wasn't sure. "Well, I work at a bar." "That's not new, I found that out three weeks ago." "And.oh blast! There's nothing to tell you that I haven't already!" He grinned. "Well, you're losing again," he said as he knocked aside her queen. She looked down, frowned as she realized that her king was in check, and tried to move it. When she found that there was no safe place for it, she looked up at Neal and glared. "That's checkmate!" She accused him. He laughed. "Yes indeed milady, it is." She glared. "Well, of all the nerve!" She stood up and mockingly crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air. "Fine then! If you don't appreciate me, I'm off! Hmph!" Neal laughed as she attempted to stomp out of the room. He continued to laugh as, with all pride, she came back in, smiling, and grabbed her small bag. Before she went out again, she stopped, turned around and winked. She then continued down the hall, whistling softly. ***** See Chapter 24. ::glares at msn::