( text. )

[debrief]

I'm aware that yesterday's curse was about the prenups more than the actual marriage, but it still made me wonder:

What are your thoughts on relationships in the City, given that people might leave at any time, or return without memories? Not necessarily romantic relationships only; I'm sure the lack of stability has a similar effect on friendships.

Comments

[rianofski]

[There's a long pause between messages, then...]

Why, Mr...?

[debrief]

Coulson. Phil Coulson.

[rianofski]

Nice to meet you, Mr. Coulson. I'm Andrew Ryan. How long have you been in said relationship?

[Prying? Him? Never.]

[debrief]

Likewise, Mr Ryan.

Not quite three months. ( Why so curious? )

[rianofski]

I see. I believe they call that the 'honeymoon phase', do they not?

[He's basically telling you your relationship will fail. Not a cheerful one, this fellow.]

[debrief]

I think we passed that phase years ago.

( He never said it was someone he'd met in the City. )

[rianofski]

Ah. An individual from your home, then. Interesting.

[debrief]

Is it?

[rianofski]

It is. To me, at least. I've been curious as to why some people have individuals from their home here and why some don't.

[debrief]

That, I don't know. Then again, there's far too much that I don't know about this place.

[rianofski]

What is it you do back home, Mr. Coulson?

[debrief]

I work for the government.

[rianofski]

I see. In what capacity?

[It's probably good this is a text message conversation, because otherwise, there would be considerable scorn in his words.]

[debrief]

Mostly paperwork.

( Yeah, he's not telling. )

[rianofski]

Ah, yes. The never ending paperwork.

[debrief]

Familiar with it?

[rianofski]

Too familiar. I'm sure I have piles of it waiting on my desk back home.

[debrief]

What is it that you do?

[rianofski]

I was an industrialist. Now I own a city.

[debrief]

You own a city?

[rianofski]

I do. I found myself generally dissatisfied with the cities and countries I experienced, and built my own. It's a remarkable place.

[debrief]

You must have made quite some money as an industrialist.

[rianofski]

I found myself in various industries at the right time. It was lucrative, yes.

[debrief]

What kind of industries, if you don't mind me asking?

[rianofski]

[Andrew never minds talking about himself!]

Railroads, steel, and oil, mostly, though I've recently branched out into weaponry.