( 01 ) ( video / action. )

[feigns]

[ when the video clicks on, it shows a teenager — not uncommon in and of itself — looking distinctly bemused, not wet and somewhat out of sorts. what can be seen of his surroundings show him to be near the fountain, like most new arrivals, although he doesn't look especially surprised. when he speaks, his tone is primarily level, whilst his accent belies his british origins — southern english, with a noticeable undercurrent of welsh. ]

The last time I was here, I was greeted by a multitude of redheads and a blonde. I also, as it happens, momentarily believed myself to be Alice, although rather than having taken a tumble down a rabbit hole, I found myself the victim of a short drop into water. This time, I find myself in possession of all of my faculties and wholly dry. Alas, there appears to be no redheads in my immediate vicinity — recognisable ones, that is — or the solitary blonde bearing a cup of delightful coffee with an awful name. [ a beat. ] If it helps, I could go for a short paddle in the fountain and recreate my arrival from before; the sympathy and pity were quite welcome.

[ there's another pause, albeit a longer one, and the humour briefly fades from his expression and is replaced by a rather marked lack of surety. ] Tessa—. [ nope, nevermind. refuge in the familiar; awkward conversations can come later. ]

I wonder, will I have to spend my first night under a bush again?

Comments

[feigns]

No. The truth deserves respect, and the City tends not to give it.

[deadly_legacy]

Why do you say that?

[feigns]

Why would I not? The truth has the power to change the world, for better and for worse, depending entirely on how it is handled.

[deadly_legacy]

Are you always honest then?

[feigns]

[ a laugh. ]

No.

[deadly_legacy]

But honest enough to admit that.

[feigns]

Though I am not naturally honest, I am so sometimes by chance.

[deadly_legacy]

You make it sound uncommon for you. Why would you want to lie so much when you respect truth?

[feigns]

[ MILD DISAPPOINTMENT: ] That was Shakespeare.

—But to answer your question, a liar has many reasons for lying. He might wish to further his own fortunes, perhaps, or he might be so afraid of what the truth will bring that he considers a lie the safer option. Not all change is for the better, Miss Britannia, and he might so consider the truth in that situation not worth being treated at all.

[deadly_legacy]

Oh. I should have realized. [She sounds slightly embarrassed and nods to his explanation.]

You do seem fond of my last name when I've offered you my first. [She didn't realize it would bother her to hear in use again until she did.]

[feigns]

Consider it a force of habit. I'll stop, if you prefer.

[deadly_legacy]

I think I would. Is there always such formality where you're from?

[feigns]

Between acquaintances, certainly — so I consider it less a formality and more a matter of ingrained manners, despite attempts to rid myself entirely of grace.

[deadly_legacy]

Oh? Why have you been trying to remove it? That is if I can ask? I suppose it's personal.

[feigns]

Because I rather fancied it.

[deadly_legacy]

That's a good reason I suppose. [She finds herself vaguely off guard in speaking to him. So she turns to something more familiar.]

Do you know how long you were away from the City?

[feigns]

In terms of time in the City? No. A matter of months, I suppose, judging by the weather.

[deadly_legacy]

That isn't too bad then. Was it very long in your home?

[feigns]

Long enough, I think.

[deadly_legacy]

I see. [She takes that to mean he'd rather not speak of it.] Welcome back again. Perhaps I'll see you at the welcome center.