Huh. Not even a flicker. Which was unusual, since he was definitely the sort that would usually draw Ninkasi's attention, if only to be appreciative. Ereshkigal had no problem at all enjoying the sight of an attractive man, even though she would never seek anything beyond a good look. Nergal was more than enough for her. But her niece treated the waiter as though he were nothing more than furniture, and badly upholstered furniture at that.
"Everybody is the exception to something," she said mildly. "Even those stories with anger and betrayal and jealousy have exceptions. And reasons behind them. You simply can't see it from the outside."
Turning her head, she looked at her niece as she asked, "So why do you want to stay on the outside? Those things that you're so afraid of, you haven't even experienced yourself, so you don't know how it would feel or how you'd react. Why let fear keep you from happiness, even if it is only for a short time? Why, Ninkasi?"