Lin's warning had the opposite effect; Shirley's eyes glimmered with interest at the thought of seeing things she had never thought possible, and her expression almost seemed to say, Try me. You know, completely as though she had not just now been tried and wasn't still recovering somewhat from the shock.

"I'm sure you mean that as a warning and not a challenge," she said, looking down somewhat self-effacingly, as though apologetic that she has to be so difficult. It was completely a lie.

She raised her gaze on hearing the newcomer, though. If Lin's attire could be considered 'steampunk' then this guy's seemed a bit more medieval. If they were from the same place at all, they couldn't be from the same time period. The older man's demeanor was quite different from that of the officer, too. If they were friends, they must be an odd couple indeed.

"We don't have any tea," she said somewhat ruefully. It hadn't occurred to her until he had mentioned it, but she could probably use some about now.