Bastien warns her that he's coming to Val Royeaux, but by letter, well over a week in advance, with only a vague estimate of when and no mention of where or how.

The answers to all of those outstanding questions are: now, in the bright and bustling district surrounding the Grande Royeaux Theater, and by planting himself on the low stone wall around the base of a tall, golden statue and its surrounding greenery, in a place he's confident—because he's good at his job, this is his city, and he knows who to ask—she'll be putting in an appearance.

In the meantime, he's reading a book. It hides most of his face. But his hair and eyebrows are visible above it, and his posture and clothes are his usual fare.