[So it's that day again. And since the last strategy failed rather epically due to City-induced memory wipe, it is now time for Plan B
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[Franz is out for his morning constitutional when he hears a woman's voice call out nearby. He stops, turns, and smiles himself on seeing her cheerful face.]
Good morning, miss! What sort of a survey are you conducting?
[Rin tucks a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she turns toward the young man whose attention she obviously caught. She gives him another smile and a small bow.]
Good morning!
[Then she looks him straight in the eyes, her face open and frank.]
Just a general survey... on experiences in the City.
Oh, dear! And, well... you've settled in well, I hope?
[An affirmative nod.]
Yes. Maybe you've noticed that the streets are especially crowded today... this seems to be happening once every few months. I don't quite know if it's a curse day or something else... but there are visitors that only stay for the day.
The curses are most certainly the strangest aspect of living in this City. Although, the ever-present ticking, even when there is no visible clock, is certainly odd.
[He smiles.]
My wife is also an inhabitant of the City. It is comforting to have her near.
Indeed. She apparently arrived in the City some time before I did. It was quite a welcome surprise to find her here, as the last I had heard, she was staying at her villa in Greece.
[Well, that is. Surprising. Rin is very flustered and immediately bows deeply, herself.]
Oh, excuse my manners, Your Majesty! I was unaware!
[At the last sentence, she risks a glance up, and sees his hand. In her time in the City, she has witnessed the custom of shaking hands as a greeting, but it's still weird, so she hesitates.]
... ah.
Asano Rin - or, Rin Asano. Asano is the family name.
Good morning, miss! What sort of a survey are you conducting?
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Good morning!
[Then she looks him straight in the eyes, her face open and frank.]
Just a general survey... on experiences in the City.
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Very well then. Ask away, miss.
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Well, first I'd like to know: are you a regular citizen, or just a visitor today?
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[He blinks.]
There are visitors today?
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[An affirmative nod.]
Yes. Maybe you've noticed that the streets are especially crowded today... this seems to be happening once every few months. I don't quite know if it's a curse day or something else... but there are visitors that only stay for the day.
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[Franz looks around, eyebrow raised at the crowds.]
Interesting. And, from where do they come?
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[She makes a bit of an awkward face.]
Ah... that, I don't really know.
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I suppose it is of little consequence.
[He looks back at her.]
Were there further questions for your survey, miss?
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Uh, sure! Like, uhm... what is strangest for you in the City? What is familiar?
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[He smiles.]
My wife is also an inhabitant of the City. It is comforting to have her near.
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[That catches her attention.]
Your wife... you are certainly fortunate, sir!
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At home, I am the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Here, I am simply Franz-Joseph von Habsburg. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner.
[He holds out his hand.] And forgive me my lapse in manners. You are?
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Oh, excuse my manners, Your Majesty! I was unaware!
[At the last sentence, she risks a glance up, and sees his hand. In her time in the City, she has witnessed the custom of shaking hands as a greeting, but it's still weird, so she hesitates.]
... ah.
Asano Rin - or, Rin Asano. Asano is the family name.
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