The train rocks as it plows through the winter storm.
The investigator lets her vision glaze over the scene beyond the window, still pondering the meaning of the conductress's badge.
Semmelweis: She handed it over so naturally, as if she had done it countless times.
Semmelweis: Plus, it appears she's encountered someone from the Foundation before. I am forced to conclude that our conductress is hiding something from me.
She pulls a pocket watch from her coat and flicks it open.
Semmelweis: They've been gone for a while now. Well ...
Then she looks around the room.
Thanks to the conductress's fine administrative processes, every file is simple to find.
From timetables to station logs, everything is within reach.
Semmelweis: These files are just sitting out on the table. Do they have no sense of confidentiality?
Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: An easily laid clue is often a trap, though. This could be bait. Better act cautiously.
The investigator shakes her head, casting the thought aside.
Corvus: I apologize for keeping you.
Corvus enters and returns to her sofa; her loyal stewardess follows in behind.
She takes stock of the room, confirming that nothing has changed since she left.
Corvus: Aima has placed your luggage at your seat. No need to worry; nothing has ever gone missing from the "Danube Dawn."
Corvus: You've waited for some time. Where were we?
Corvus: The Foundation, your vampire, and this investigation you mentioned.
Semmelweis: To rule out any threat, I need to verify every passenger on board, carriage by carriage.
The investigator shifts tactics, speaking more directly.
Corvus: That would be controversial, especially in the midst of this war. I fear it may cause unnecessary disturbances.
Corvus: I'm sure neither of us would like a repeat of the incident from before.
Semmelweis: I apologize, but my mission parameters are clear. You've misunderstood my intent; this was a notification, not a negotiation.
Corvus: In that case, I will need to see some formal authorization.
Corvus: I won't allow someone to disturb the peace of my passengers just because they claim it to be necessary.
She arches a brow, certain that the investigator doesn't have the authorization.
Semmelweis: I fear that authorization is still little more than a draft on their desk—the "joys of bureaucracy."
Semmelweis: But as you seem to be a fan of red tape, if you refuse to cooperate, regulations state that it is within my power ...
She pauses to draw out the effect.
Semmelweis: To stop the "Danube Dawn."
Corvus: ...
Aima: Stop the train? No.
Semmelweis: Indeed. I am fully within my authority to stop this train at any time to conduct an investigation.
Aima: I understand, but it could inconvenience our passengers.
Semmelweis: Just the passengers?
Aima: ...!
Aima opens her mouth, then closes it again, glancing at the conductress.
Corvus stands and pats her on the shoulder.
Corvus: I see.
Corvus: I have one stipulation that my stewardess and I accompany you during your inspection.
Semmelweis: As you wish. I assure you the process will be carried out with openness and transparency.
Corvus: If the purpose is likewise open and transparent, yes.
Semmelweis: Naturally, Conductress, I have told you everything—as far as I'm permitted, at least.
The investigator maintains a practiced, businesslike smile as she extends her hand.
Semmelweis: There is no time to lose. Let's get started.
Semmelweis: Glad we could come to an agreement, Conductress.
Announcements, explanations, records ... their "cooperation" continues smoothly.
Corvus: How many carriages left?
Aima: Um, except the locomotive, the brake van, our compartment, two registered, and this one we're registering ...
Semmelweis: Twelve minus three, then minus two, then minus one.
Semmelweis: 6 carriages to go.
Semmelweis answers with a subdued smile.
Dorothy: Conductress, Ms. Aima, I need your help. Two of my students have gone missing.
A worried lady approaches, concern evident on her brow.
Corvus: Please remain calm, madam. How long have they been missing? Could you describe them in detail?
Dorothy: The two of them are about this tall. The little girl always carries a doll with her, and the boy has short, brown curly hair.
Dorothy: I lost sight of them in the dining car about half an hour ago. Seems they've taken this train as some sort of playground.
Aima: Conductress, they sound like the little boy and girl we met just now.
She notes down each description carefully, attentive to all the passengers.
Corvus: Ah, Rubuska's "familiars."
Corvus: Look behind you, madam. Are these your students?
Following the conductress's words, all eyes turn to the children at the back.
Rubuska: After the glorious Count Arnold V came my grandfather Savonovic!
Rubuska: Grandfather Savonovic brought the whole family north of the Danube and built Arges Mill—er, I mean, Arges Castle!
Rubuska: He lived to be 165 years old.
Children: snore
The girl eagerly continues her tales, unaware and unconcerned that her audience has drifted off to sleep.
Dorothy: William! Annabelle! You can't go messing about yourselves like this!
The governess storms over, skirt swaying wider than usual, appearing almost like a bowling ball rolling down the aisle.
Annabelle: Mmm. Hm? Ah!
Little William: M-Ms. Dorothy! Uh-oh.
The children jolt awake, Annabelle springing from Rubuska's lap.
Dorothy: Annabelle! You get back here right now! You should know better than to associate with that kind of company.
Dorothy: That goes for you too, William! Come on, quickly!
Rubuska: That ... that kind of company?
Rubuska: Is she talking about me?
From her sharp gaze, Rubuska realizes the difference in their clothes.
A hand lands on her shoulder, breaking her thought.
Corvus: We meet again, "old pal." We're here to register your information if you might spare the time.
Rubuska: If I said I couldn't, would you let me go?
Dorothy: I suggest you do a thorough check on her background. I suspect she could be a trafficker!
Annabelle: No, Ms. Dorothy, I was lost, a-and Rubuska helped me!
Dorothy: How many times have I told you? You are a young lady of a certain stature. It won't do to get too close to this riff-raff.
Rubuska: Riff-raff? Hey, lady, what do you mean?
Aima: A-Apologies, madam, but this is just a simple passenger registration.
Aima: No need to worry, Ms. Rubuska. We just have a few simple questions for you. Let's see. Um, what are you?
Rubuska: I'm Rubuska!
She straightens her back and speaks firmly.
Semmelweis: ...
Aima: Um, sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear. I mean your lineage.
Rubuska: L-Lineage. Oh, sure, I'm Th-Thermanikian.
Corvus: Let's hurry this along. Not your name, nor your place of birth, nor gender.
Corvus: Arcanist or human?
Rubuska: Oh! Um, then, I guess I'm ...
Corvus: There is no third option.
Rubuska: Wow, how do you know? Alright! I, I'm—
The girl falters, eyes dodging, but it's William that leaps to explain.
Little William: She's our vampire boss; of course she's an arcanist.
Dorothy: Silence, William! Who taught you to say such things?
Aima: Oh!
Semmelweis & Corvus: ...
Rubuska: Ha, hahaha, ah, I was just messing around with the kids.
Rubuska: Didn't you ever play make-believe when you were young? Vampires, werewolves, Rusalka ...
Corvus: I did not.
The conductress coldly interrupts her.
Corvus: Given these extraordinary times, I'll ask that there be no more such make-believe on the train.
Rubuska: I won't do it again, I swear.
She exhales, but Annabelle, now awake and confused, speaks up.
Annabelle: But you are a vampire, Rubuska.
The air stills.
Annabelle: You don't have a shadow. You showed us. And real vampires don't have shadows, right?
Annabelle: Vampires are really, really strong, and Rubuska is a good vampire. S-So you should all be nice to her!
She gathers her courage, standing firm even under the governess's glare, her voice quiet but sure as she challenges their attitude.
The crowd looks down to the finely embroidered carpet beneath the girl's feet and fails to find her shadow.
Aima: She's right. She really has no shadow.
Rubuska: Uh-oh.
Corvus: You call this "messing around"?
The patchwork conductress takes a step forward, her towering figure making the children stumble back in fear.
Her hand rests once more on Rubuska's shoulder, firm yet proper.
Corvus: You're going to have to come with us.
Corvus: I'm afraid that "Danube Dawn" security protocol dictates an immediate closed interrogation.
