>>6059995>>6060607>Draw Finlay's attention to the vassals and acolytes beneath the Ancient SignHalf-Men
You wonder if a side-effect of living in a city where the sun shines overhead 300 days a year is that some of its denizens retain the emotional capacity of a fern, craving only sunshine and moist air.
Aside from yourself, no-one else appears to have noticed the macabre and unnerving sight of the writhing supplicants and their gruesome rites beneath the Ancient Sign.
You observe that many of these acolytes, of indistinguishable gender, appear to exhibit apparent craniofacial disfigurement - some deformity of visage, sutures and cicatrices across all of their features, giving their heads the horrifying appearance of being bisected or ruptured by terrible wounds.
Finlay, whose attentions remain fixated on Annabel's change in temperament, replies to you with carefree absentmindedness:
-Oh, they are probably foreign, newly arrived tourists, sightseers or maybe immigrants. For locals, it is that thing where you can live in a city but never visit its landmarks? And we get some homeless people too, but we want to make everyone feel welcome here, whether you're a surfer hitting the waves, a hipster starting a gluten-free cookie brand, a young family looking to raise small children, an elderly retirement home couple; high-powered executives, lawyers, doctors, agents, managers, starlets, chefs, yoga teachers, students, writers, therapists, nurses - there is a place for everyone. This city brings together so many people from all different walks of life, different interests: if you are into cosplay, rehab, improv, relapse, drag racing, open mic, wine tastings, biker meetups, plastic surgery, karaoke, clubbing, bdsm, escape rooms - everyone should feel at home. And I think the essence of it is really part of what I do (QM: Finlay reaches to clasp Annabel's hand, as she looks at him with uncertainty) really, the same industry that Annabel here is a part of too - storytelling! Look at all these faces, these visions, this cherished destiny (QM: Finlay sweeps his arm dramatically across the panorama of the city over the hillside landscape) - it all comes from storytelling - you have to provide the narrative and the dream to inspire people to play their part, find their calling, their role in life, and fulfill their truest realised achievement of self!
