Susanne walked down the street in a haze, lost in her thoughts. Roger stayed close and kept her from doing things like walking into traffic. After all, she just needed some time to get used to the idea...

"Immortal..." she whispered. "And the Game?" She looked up at Roger, her eyes clear now, no longer lost in a haze.

"The Game..." he said, and stopped, trying to think, then grinned. "It's your choice, of course, but if you want out of the game, this is the perfect opportunity. A chance to start a new life. Isn't that what you've wanted?"

"Yes..." she looked around, drinking in the sights. The Otaku might look for her in England or America; besides, she knew too many people. She'd had to come somewhere new. Roger had advocated the idea, of course. He'd suggested a couple places, but Susanne had had her own way, in the end.

They passed by a tiny bookstore, and Susanne was instantly drawn in. After looking around for a few minutes, she picked a book off the shelf and took it to the owner. "Wieviel?" she asked.

"Neun Mark," he replied gruffly.

"Neun Mark?!? Dafuer? Zu viel! Vielleicht fuenf Mark..."

"Acht."

"Sechs."

"Sieben."

"Sieben." Susanne pulled some money out of her pocket and counted out seven marks, and handed them over.

"Vielen Dank, kommen Sie zurueck!"

"Ja, danke schoen..." she walked back out, Roger following.

"Okay, I take it back. You can do fine in Germany. We don't need to go to France. What did you buy, anyway?"

Susanne pulled the book out with a chuckle. "I have no idea where he got this..." she glanced back at the store, "and it's just possible that I don't want to know."

Roger grabbed the book away. "Hon no Tame ni Bishounen no Heishi," he read. "Susanne... are you in the Game, or not?"

"Not. I think. Either way, it's safer with me than there, don't you think?" She took the book back and tossed it into her HammerSpace. "I'll read it later."

"Too bad they didn't have the Four Gods, Sky and Earth."

"I've got enough troubles without being sucked into ancient China!"

Roger laughed as Susanne's attention suddenly went to the chocolate store they were passing. "C'mon, I'll get you candy later... let's see about getting a flat, huh?"

"Wohnung, Roger, it's a Wohnung... alright, we'd better, if we're going to be here for awhile, right?"