Semmelweis: ...
Semmelweis: Where am I?
Semmelweis puts her hand on her head and sits up from the couch.
Kakania: You're finally awake!
Semmelweis subconsciously surveys the room's decor.
Semmelweis: Strange, I remember, just now ...
The room is quiet.
It has been a long time since Semmelweis has enjoyed such silence.
Kakania: This is my psychiatry clinic.
Semmelweis: A psychiatrist! I see, well you'll forgive me if I mistook it for a warehouse.
Semmelweis: Don't get me wrong, I greatly respect psychiatrists. Of course, I do find them a bit nosy, always trying to dig their way into your private matters.
Kakania: I'm very sorry.
Semmelweis: Whatever for?
Kakania: Though it was rather blurry, I didn't see any hint of hostility from you in the mirror.
Kakania: It was wrong of me to attack you, I acted rashly.
The green parrot lowers her head with an awkward expression.
Semmelweis: You've been making a bad habit of dazzling others in the streets, Dr. Kakania.
Semmelweis: I am now the second victim of your particular brand of light-based assaults.
Kakania: Oh! So you're a friend of Marcus too?
Kakania: I apologize, but it is in my nature to pry. What exactly did you see while you were under my Arcane Skill?
Semmelweis: Why do you ask?
Kakania: Everyone sees different things in the mirror, it reflects one's own truth, their innermost turmoil and desires.
Kakania: Your reflection though was hazy and the fragments it formed were vague. It was impossible to extract any useful information.
Semmelweis: My own truth ...
Semmelweis: No, there was nothing, just some familiar hallucinations I've long grown accustomed to, that's all.
Kakania: Of course, you aren't my patient, and I have no intention of prying into your privacy. But I ask such questions as a matter of professional ethics.
Semmelweis: Professional ethics?
Kakania: If our consultation here is anything to go by, you may be dealing with a very serious mental illness.
Kakania: As a psychiatrist, I cannot stand idly by. Whether you are my patient or not, I feel I must speak with you frankly.
Semmelweis: I've heard that line many times before.
Semmelweis: Though far more often it concerns my physical illnesses, I confess this is the first time I've heard that I am sick in the head as well.
Kakania: To put it simply, I have observed that your spirit is undergoing drastic changes. And that these intense changes have triggered significant mental distress.
Semmelweis: Drastic spiritual changes?
Kakania: Yes. I'm sure you are familiar with the saying: "Mankind is inclined to reason, Arcanists are inclined to sensitivity."
Kakania: Emotions are the heart of spirituality. When our perspectives change, those with keen emotions, especially Arcanists, exhibit more obvious symptoms.
Kakania: Insomnia, nightmares, hallucinations, schizophrenia—even the disappearance of one's reflection. I suspect these are all possible symptoms of spiritual changes in an Arcanist.
Semmelweis: "Spiritual changes?" A most interesting way to put it.
Kakania: The issue of spiritual changes remains a challenge in the medical field. I'm sorry to say my understanding is limited too.
Kakania: But according to our extant medical knowledge, these effects seem to stem from drastic changes related to arcanum and the side effects they cause ...
Kakania: If you need to speak with her, I can give you more detailed directions.
Kakania: But according to our extant medical knowledge, these effects seem to stem from drastic changes related to arcanum and the side effects they cause ...
Mid-sentence, Kakania suddenly remembers something and abruptly stands up.
Kakania: Ah ...!!! Oh no!
Semmelweis: What is it?
Kakania: Oh, look at the time—the exhibit! I'm going to be late!
Semmelweis: Isolde's art exhibit? It's just another in a long line of Vienna's high-profile social gatherings.
Semmelweis: Though, apparently this one intends to promote the plight of the Arcanists across the Empire.
Semmelweis: It is without a doubt one of the greatest issues of our time.
Kakania: Miss Semmelweis, I am happy to hear that you are so sympathetic to the theme of this exhibit. It seems many Viennese do not care about the organizer's ideals; they come only to gawk at the art.
Semmelweis: Naturally I'm sympathetic, it's an urgent and serious topic.
Semmelweis: I have always believed that the Foundation needs to listen to the experiences and opinions of Arcanists like you. People with outside perspectives, that can speak for those beyond the Foundation's sometimes narrow mindset.
Kakania: I am happy to know that the Foundation has such dedicated young people like you and Ms. Marcus!
The eloquent girl in green comes to an apparent realization. She pauses and stares intently at Semmelweis from behind her bright eyes.
Kakania: Oh! You know, I think you may just be interested in this exhibit too. After all, you are a friend of Ms. Marcus—
Kakania: A pity I only gave her two invitations. I think you are most deserving of one.
Kakania: A major oversight on the organizer's part! Let me see if there are any extra invitations ...
Semmelweis: Thank you for your diagnosis and the invitation, Dr. Kakania.
Semmelweis stands up from the sofa, her trajectory already set for the door.
Semmelweis: But I'm afraid I've never received any sort of aesthetic education. I have no proper appreciation for art.
Semmelweis: Inviting me to such an exhibit, you may as well bring a toad to the opera.
Semmelweis: At any rate, I'm on an urgent mission from the Foundation, which leaves me with even no such time to spare.
Kakania: —Not in this envelope, nor this one either.
Kakania pays no mind to her refusal. She simply carries on rummaging through the scattered files and cabinets.
Kakania: Oh no, it seems all the blank invitations have already been given out.
Kakania taps her head ruefully.
Kakania: Only Miss Valentina and Miss Lorelei's invitations are left, and they have their names on them ... I should have asked Heinrich to prepare a few more.
Semmelweis: ...!
Semmelweis: Wait, did you just say Lorelei?
Kakania: Hm? So you know Miss Lorelei, too?
Kakania: I mean Miss Lorelei is a famous social activist and singer in Vienna. I suppose it only makes sense that you would have heard of her.
Kakania: You know, Miss Lorelei has always been so dedicated to promoting equality between mankind and Arcanists. She is well-respected by just about everyone.
Kakania: That's why I specially invited Miss Lorelei and Miss Valentina to the exhibit. And, I admit, because I've always wanted to meet them.
Kakania: Unfortunately, Miss Lorelei left Vienna not long ago. No one knows where she is now.
Semmelweis' fingertips tremble slightly, but she quickly hides her excitement.
Semmelweis: Oh? That's a pity, I was thinking that if I had the chance, I should like to pay her a visit.
Semmelweis: But by the sounds of it, I seem to have missed my chance.
Kakania: Not entirely! I'm not sure where she is now, but I think Miss Valentina must know.
Semmelweis: Miss Valentina?
Kakania: She's another social activist and a very good friend of Lorelei.
Kakania: She runs a small bar near the river port. Maybe you can try your luck there.
Kakania: If you need to speak with her, I can give you more detailed directions.
At this, Kakania picks up a parrot feather from a nearby table and hands it to Semmelweis.
Kakania: There's a vendor I know. Just give him this feather and he'll help you find Miss Valentina!
Kakania: But I apologize. I'm afraid I can't go with you myself, Miss Semmelweis.
Kakania: I am expected at the exhibit's opening ritual. As a member of "The Circle," I have to be in attendance.
Semmelweis: I understand entirely, Doctor.
Semmelweis: I don't know much about art, but I think I understand how important this showcase of Mr. Theophil's posthumous works must be to you.
Semmelweis steadies her still trembling hand as she reaches for the feather.
Semmelweis: Without further ado, I must take my leave, doctor.
Semmelweis puts the feather in her pocket and nods to Kakania.
Kakania: Good luck, Miss Semmelweis!