AnxiousMouse

Laurent of Courland climbed slowly off the boat he had arrived on and spent the first few seconds searching for his missing twin sister. He saw that she had run ahead with her things and was in the process of being verbally assailed by a well-dressed greeter. "What brings you to this lovely city?" he said to her. Selling something, Laurent assumed. Perhaps if I take my time, he'll be done with her and gone by the time I arrive. Unfortunately, he was not done when Laurent arrived. In fact, the arrival of a new face only sent the greeter whirring into another repetition of what he'd just said - every word identical. "Welcome!" he said, "What brings you to this lovely city? Adventure? Wealth? Or some grand aspirations to elevate your place in society?" "We're here on business," Laurent said plainly. "I assume my sister has already indulged you with the details." Rather quickly, for he had practiced this routine many times before, the greeter began to speak again, but he was halted by a raised hand from Laurent. "I'm not buying," he said, "And nor is she." He quietly chided his sister for conversing too deeply with this stranger, and then told her to follow him. She did, but not without sharing a polite, parting wave with the gentleman. He chided her later for that too.