>>5980506The next hour or so passes in a suffocating haze. Your responses are automatic and clipped while your body is tense and stiff. You’re not even sure why you feel this way, no one else seems to have the trouble you do as you discuss plans and receive the letter from the marquess. You can barely find it in you to carry the conversation between you and Cathy when the two of you walk from gilded room to gildren room. You only begin to relax as you bid the Hyland’s adieu and step into the fresh air outside the estate. At least the walk to the harbor is downhill.
“Lorina you doing alright?” The inquisitor asks out of the blue a few minutes after you left the estate.
“I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
“Actually, I have a question,” if anything it will get him to stop being curious, “What does ‘sci-fi shit’ mean exactly? Is that- that thing normal for Earth? I can hardly believe it if so,”
“Urk! U-uh, no it isn’t,” Asher immediately taken back.
“Oh, it means science fiction! It’s like space and robots and stuff! Things that seem like they could happen but haven’t happened yet!” Marie adds, “Is that not a concept here? Probably not since your tech level is behind. Hey how’d you learn about it, Asher?” She always seems to speak a mile a minute.
“Uh- there was- well you see- uh, a book.”
“Hm, which one?”
“A Stranger had a, uh, catalog of things from Earth so I got to read a bunch when he was dealt with. Like Dune and Fahrenheit 451 and stuff.”
Maries face is blank, “Uh, what’s that?”
“Oh, they’re probably just not popular where you’re from,” Why does he look upset?
“Well, my favorite sci-fi manga is Blame! And there’s also-” Marie trails off into rambles and Asher looks like he wants to say something but thinks better of it. At least his story seems plausible enough. That is if you didn’t spend years learning how to read people, there’s more to it but you’re not feeling up to pressing the topic. Yet.
“We’ve agreed to investigate the kidnappings and trade ships first, but where should we start?” You say to get the two others on track.
“Lunch?” The inquisitor says.
“This city is under threat from a kidnapper, or ring of kidnappers, possibly connected to a Stranger and your first thought is food?” Is this man truly an inquisitor?”
“It’s not like we’re going to find much in the middle of the day other than rumors from the dock workers, we’re going to need to do a stakeout tonight. And I’m hungry.”
“Fine.. I’ll allow it.”
“Hey! I’m still your boss!”
