#chinith

'I told you to dress up nicely. This is a decent restaurant.'

'I look gorgeous anyway.'

'Fine. But don't blame me if we get kicked out.'

She was hardly in a state to ride her motorbike, so she walked to the nearest train station to find a map. She knew she was in Dublin, but further than that, she had no idea. She scanned the street names until something jumped out at her: Gallows Road. But where had she heard that befo-

It hit her like a proverbial ton of bricks. You had to be kidding. Out of all the places she could have picked a fight, right by China Sorrow’s library was where she’d ended up.

Tanith decided to suck it up and head to the library. She’d been there countless times, but never felt completely comfortable, especially with Ms. Sorrows. At least they had medical facilities. And books.

She skipped up the library stairs, two at a time, and headed straight to the bathroom. Once she'd bandaged her thigh and sorted her makeup out, she walked through the bookshelves, not really searching for anything; just browsing.

'What was it this time?' asked a voice from behind her. Tanith was used to China sneaking up on her by now, and didn't jump.

'Some monster,' she said. 'Decided to live by a playground. Bad idea.'

'How heroic, I commend you. But yet again, you've injured yourself.'

'It was faster than I thought. What's it to you, anyway?'

China smiled. 'Tanith dear, despite our differences, I consider you a friend. It would be a shame if your pretty little head got chopped off by some hideous monster.'

'Yeah, that would be a shame,' Tanith said, unconvinced.

'So, are you in Dublin for long.' 

'A couple of days. Why?'

'Care to go out tonight?'

Just when Tanith had though nothing would surprise her, China asked her that.

'Really?'

'Really. 7pm, at The Winding Stair?'

'Are you asking me out? On a date?'

'Indeed, although I'm rather regretting it now,' she winked. 'I'll see you there.'

Tanith left the library, somewhat disoriented. A date, with China freaking Sorrows.