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...It's sort of funny that those coincide, isn't it? And of course <span class="mu-i">Gil</span> or even maybe Richard would tell you that no, it isn't, any number of things can happen in a month, you may as well say it's sort of funny Madrigal was broken up with during the peak of the annual false-god migration, or just as a Flats skimmer tripped and fell and broke her neck in a sinkhole, or just as old cans were 50% off at the general store. But you don't think those are the same thing at all, especially when— especially when the Day of Reckoning happened <span class="mu-i">nine</span> months ago, didn't it? Just when the whole thing kicked off. (Or at least became public knowledge.)
It's sort of funny. That's all you can say about it, right now, lacking any evidence whatsoever of a tie. But you'll hold it to your dying breath that it's sort of funny.
And you intend to march back over to the desk and ask Ida if she's ever heard of a Mr. Routh when someone new comes waltzing down the long glossy hallway— a man you've also never seen before. He's crammed into a navy suit, plainly untailored: the man's shoulders are too broad for it, his neck and wrists too wide. His face is handsome like a hard drinker's, weathered and swollen and slightly askew, but his teeth are as straight and white as the walls. "Ms. Fitzgerald!" he thunders, the instant he sees you.
Gil is blank until you kick him, and then he jitters into unconvincing action. "Uh... hi."
"Or is it Madrigal? Can I call you Madrigal? Are those suspenders new?" The man, stopped right in the threshold of the doorway, spreads his hands. "And who's this? Howdy! I don't believe we've met."
"N—o." Though there's some quality of his voice you can't place. Have you heard him on the radio? "Er, hello. I'm Charlotte. I'm a local..."
You struggle. "Detective" is true-ish but seems, well, imprudent. (Barrel, waterfall.) "Heroine" is true but can hardly be used with "a": you should be <span class="mu-i">the</span> local heroine, full stop. "Heiress" rings oddly. "...adventurer. -Ress. Adventuress. Slash solver of problems."
"An <span class="mu-i">adventuress!</span> And a solveress of problems!" The man roars with good-natured laughter. (You fume quietly.) "Well, I'll be gosh-darned, I think the world needs a lot more of you around. Pleasure to meet you. I'm Casey Kemper, though <span class="mu-i">please</span> just call me Casey. Wouldn't dream of anything else. Are you Madrigal's +1?"
You look at Gil, who wavers. "Y-es. Yeah."
"Fan-<span class="mu-i">tastic.</span> Happy to have you along. You're a little early, actually, but I'd have no problem shuffling things around... are you ready right now?"
...
(Choices next.)
