...That's the honey drink I'm talking about. It's got a sweet taste at first, but I didn't expect it to hit me so hard after!
Leto
It wasn't really all that bad, though. My friend said I was honey drunk, but in the end, I was as sober as can be, and she was totally wasted.
Harold
......
Leto
Hm? Hey? Dedushka?
Leto
Hey! Are you listening?
Harold
Hmm...
Harold
Oh?
Harold
Forgive me, Rosalind. What did you just say?
Leto
She was totally blitzed on honey!
Harold
Oh, right, right. Of course, on honey.
Leto
Ugh... c'mon...
Leto
If you have something on your mind, you should just deal with it.
Leto
You're barely even here. How are we supposed to have a conversation?
Harold
No, no, there is nothing more worthy of my attention than your story right now.
Harold
Please, tell me more about honey drunkenness. If I recall correctly, they do offer specialty beverages made with honey on this train.
Leto
Alright, that's enough.
Leto
My eyes are pretty sharp. You've been acting weird since that guy in the hat showed up.
Leto
Is he your friend...? No, you don't look like friends.
Leto
So you must be enemies?
Harold
Not quite.
Harold
Perhaps the two of us can just barely be described as colleagues. We don't work for the same department of the company, however.
Leto
Okay, so he's a colleague you don't get along with, bumping into you on vacation.
Harold
I love the way you describe it.
Harold
Right then, Rosalind. I'll admit I'm a little worried my colleague may not get his work done quite satisfactorily, so please excuse me for a short while.
Harold
By way of apology, I will secure for you a honey beverage. Its main ingredient is a Kjerag specialty, highland honey. Each and every drop is Kjeragandr's blessing, pure and unadulterated...
Leto
Really? I'm pretty much desensitized to all that Kjeragandr marketing talk though...
Harold
Without a doubt.
Harold
But you did tell me your friend said you get honey drunk, so I'd like us to make a promise to one other. One bottle per day, at most. Let's keep you from actually getting drunk on our trip.
There's no need for things to be so tense between us, Madam Degenbrecher.
'Trilby Asher'
Her Grace's heart lies with Karlan Trade, and she is also keenly interested in Kjerag's continued development. It is my job to keep an eye on all aspects of the country.
'Trilby Asher'
This is no different. There's no reason for you to be on alert.
Degenbrecher
So your job description includes visiting train cabins?
'Trilby Asher'
The changes this place has been through are quite shocking, are they not?
'Trilby Asher'
From what I understand, they've deployed Victorian rolling stock on this route extending from the foot of Mount Karlan to Lake Silberneherze.
'Trilby Asher'
But this series of trains has gone through significant modification since its initial deployment.
'Trilby Asher'
As the first to sow the seeds in all this, Her Grace is struck with admiration for Karlan Trade's technological improvements in these three short years.
Degenbrecher
If Gnosis hadn't done all this, then Enciodes would've been in deep trouble after speaking up for him.
Degenbrecher
You're going to discuss technology with me?
Degenbrecher
You're talking to the wrong person, then. Better find Gnosis yourself. He might be interested.
'Trilby Asher'
Most curious, Madam.
'Trilby Asher'
I did not expect to find you here, much less under these circumstances.
'Trilby Asher'
Who exactly is it that necessitated your personal intervention? What kind of situation could be so urgent and precarious that... you haven't even the time to change your bloodstained gloves?
Degenbrecher
......
Degenbrecher
I dealt with a small issue, that's all.
Degenbrecher
This is not the right time for your curiosity, Trilby Asher, and I suggest you abandon it.
Degenbrecher
I'm here looking for someone, and I don't want to dirty another pair of gloves for the time being.
'Trilby Asher'
I mean no offense.
'Trilby Asher'
And I don't mean to interfere with your work in any way.
'Trilby Asher'
It's just... surely there must be someone important aboard?
Degenbrecher
And if there is?
'Trilby Asher'
If you wouldn't mind divulging some details to me, perhaps I could be of some assistance.
'Trilby Asher'
After all... finding people is one of the tasks that we handle on a day-to-day basis.
Degenbrecher
You seem to be mistaken.
'Trilby Asher'
I beg your pardon?
Degenbrecher
Enciodes might be willing to turn a blind eye to you sticking your nose here. That's his choice, and none of my business.
Degenbrecher
But I don't share his patience.
Degenbrecher
Do you know what's so much nicer about Kjerag than Kazimierz?
'Trilby Asher'
......
Degenbrecher
The place is cold, but consequently, there aren't as many insects around.
Degenbrecher
The flying ones buzz around until you can't help but squash them dead.
'Trilby Asher'
......
Degenbrecher
Now you'd best behave yourself, or I will act in Enciodes's stead.
'Trilby Asher'
Thank you for the advice.
Degenbrecher
This is not advice. It's a warning.
Degenbrecher
Enough chit-chat. Are you through wasting my time?
Degenbrecher
What luck, the man I'm looking for is eavesdropping on the other side of that door.
Before he can finish his sentence, a flash of cold, white light sweeps past his field of vision.
The pressure the Trilby Asher managed to exert is suppressed within himself. The signature hat on his head is suddenly split into two down its brim, at last revealing a hint of the fear the disguised spy is feeling.
The woman's hand rests on her weapon, apparently casually. Her gaze makes it clear to the Trilby Asher that—
Right now, he is prey to a ferocious beast.
Degenbrecher
I don't want this train decommissioned.
Degenbrecher
Don't make me say it again.
Degenbrecher
Out of the way.
Degenbrecher
If you'd rather I make my own way, that would be fine, too.
(The Black Knight in the flesh... In Kazimierz, they would print the image of the bloodied Black Knight on rare foil cards!)
Harold
(Set the Trilby Asher aside... Even the Black Knight is on this train...?)
Harold
(Oh, and me—A Victorian viscount, personally named by the Black Knight as the one she's looking for. What a star-studded cast! Inconceivable!)
Harold
(......)
Harold
(I need somebody to tell me right now this is all some kind of impromptu entertainment... That's what I need!)
Harold
Lisburn?
Harold
I need you to check for me right now if Karlan Trade has made any strange moves—
Harold
No, never mind. First, make sure our men are safe!
Seasoned Soldier
Our men? They're all fine in the barracks. We all went back after we chauffeured you to the station. Saw nothing strange whatsoever.
Seasoned Soldier
But Jefferson and the lads are not yet back from their drinking contest... I'll have someone find them right now.
Seasoned Soldier
What's the matter, Harold? The way you're talking, is something up?
Harold
Everything is fine for now. For now.
Harold
I hope I'm merely overthinking this...
Harold
Anyway, confirm their status and have them report in immediately! Even if they've drunk themselves to death, pick them back up and get them to report in before they drop dead again!
Seasoned Soldier
Understood. I'm on it.
Harold
...*sigh*.
Harold
O Kjeragandr, if you're really omnipresent and omniscient as the people here say—
Harold
Now is the time for you to appear.
Harold
Please don't abandon a faithful traveler.
Harold
If I can't be a good, proper guest, I may have no choice but to be an unwelcome guest.
