Her reflection in the mirror lifted an eyebrow in slight amusement. Check-in time? Just a veneer of respectability, to her eye; but everyone played a part, and to their credit, the motel did a better job of it than most establishments. Not that she expected differently from a place of lodging in Ticaret, and standing had its privileges. With all that was said and done, though, her back complained a bit. So it was that she rose slowly, concluding that a turn through the wadi's air might help. This late at night, she could afford to dress down somewhat. The low-cut black shawl and beige top set her apart from the Ticaret's regular inhabitants, as did the solid smoky quartz pendant that counted her among the members of the Consorts' Lodge. Street crime was rare in Ticaret, and no one interfered with a Consort. Not out of any fear, but simply in the knowledge there was no value in it.
She hadn't been through the door a second when the scent of barbecue wafted past. Curious, she thought, deciding to investigate. Tourists, likely; Chinese, perhaps - so fond of their night-time fifth meal. Whomever; expanding her contacts was always useful, and she stepped in that direction. As she got closer, snatches of conversation drifted past as well. Two men, at least, and two women.
"Good evening," she said upon turning the corner. "I hope I'm not interrupting an important of discussion."