"Iku," Ariel said simply. "Well, at least at first. But there's a very pleasing energy about the place, and so many ancient mysteries to find and see. Now that I can speak the language, it seemed like a nice new frontier. I would have wanted Shanghai or somewhere else in Southern China, but they don't take to Japanese people so kindly. Paris was a compromise, I daresay." He'd become enamored of its narrow streets and dignified buildings, though, and their flat was enchanting.