Re: Chapter 6.1.1: A Preachin' We Will Go ((Mint Saloon))
Belle seemed more amused with the antics than anything. She liked people with obvious similar interests, but those were rare. In their absence she would settle for people who were amusingly odd and she had encountered a good many of those today. In another bitter irony, it never once occurred to Belle that she might be considered amusingly odd by some. Or at least plain odd.
"It may well be more pure sir, it may well be, but I trust no tobacconist's product any more, for good or ill. Still, a visitor from the continent? How curious. I've not encountered a self-admitted continental European since I had to translate for a Frenchmen who wanted to get to the Maze as soon as possible, and that was some time ago. Before that, it was a Flemish man who made ridiculous claims of recovering some Egyptian amulet. Can you believe the ridiculous stories some people will tell?
"But you'll forgive me, my manners are terrible today, as I have become unfocused. Belle Ivers, of no particular appellation beyond that of the Iron Dragon Rail Line, presently." Belle's story had some apparent truth to it. A close inspection of her hand bore evidence that she tried to keep them clean, a semi-permanent layer of soot and engine grease seemed to never quite escape her. "Well perhaps I am also called Firehair here lately, which I'd never thought of until present, but if it follows the native cultural convention accurately I shall not oppose it. Their culture seems to have a somewhat insular quality, as do many others, and an acceptable identity would be a useful starting point if I am to ever obtain any cultural understanding whatsoever.
"Now if I might impose on your assistance sir... this Herculean gentleman here seems rather... amiss, though sincere. I believe very much he should meet this Miss Wells. It is my sincere hope she knows him and will be able to assist. He seems lost. Sadly I do not believe his arrival party cares for my person or presence very much, which I cannot in good conscience take offense to given how... confused the poor lambs seem to be, yet perhaps I am not the best person to bid him enter and wait."