Her lips closed with a smart slap, then pursed with the faintest hints of annoyance. Much like the old man who she had intercepted earlier that morning, she was not compelled to cut Veeran any slack due to age. She did not approve of being treated poorly, period, and she had worked hard to ensure that she would never need to put up with it. A sharp retort burned hot on the tip of her tongue, but after another moment of thought, she swallowed it. She had sought him out, not the other way around. She owed him the benefit of the doubt. Or, at the very least, she could rein in the temper that had made her known in more than a few cities.

Now her lips curled into a semi-forced smile. "Naomi, yes," she replied, taking care to add extra emphasis to the pronunciation of the name. "And I apologize for my tardiness, but I had difficulty finding you. I've come a long way, and while most seemed to know your name, no one could provide reliable directions." 

He had mentioned her economic situation, assuring her that she would not be short on coin were she to sell her own goods. [i]Not that I'm short anyway,[/i] she thought with some satisfaction, though that information would not be made public. "I would prefer to stay with you," came her answer, "as it will allow me to remain closer to my work. Snoring does not bother me. I have been required to sleep through much worse."