In Each Step

To help distract me, Ms. Tsa decides to show me around Yve.
When we pass by the park, she teaches me the Eraidian word for 'park'.
To the surprise site of a tram network, she explains what they are.
It's as if I've been partnered with the teacher on a school trip.

From the city centre, there's a circular street that runs through the city, wider than the alleyways I'm so used to seeing. It accommodates two rows of passenger trams, one line moving opposite to the other. There's a third line in the middle, but it's used exclusively for emergency services like firefighting.
I think this is my first time seeing transportation other than carriages and boats, and it's pretty impressive. It's about mid-distance from the centre to the outer gate. You can call the tram to stop at any moment and make your exit. On one side, you have access to the alleyways of the outer city; on the other, the alleys of the inner city. I imagine once you know the layout of Yve, it's quick to get where you need to go.

Ms. Tsa tells me that, in order to become a public servant of any kind in this city, you have to pass an exam that tests your knowledge of where different landmarks in the city are and which route gets you there quickest.

Most citizens know their area of town well, but lack much of a reason to explore far away from home. As a result, small family-run stores and services are king, like the cafes, the florists, even the lady selling newspapers.
Tourism isn't much of a thing here. Lann's easier to visit, and due to that city's plentiful access to salt, snow is far less of a problem there.

Ms. Tsa's facts keep coming. I appreciate that she's always giving me new things to think about.
But after some time, she's called back to the castle to help the princess. I need to start making a conscious effort to call her "Feana" or "the queen", don't I?
Conveniently, as I wave goodbye to my teacher, an even louder presence makes itself known.

"I see. So that's how it is..."
"I don't know what you're thinking, but you're probably wrong."

It's Philio Lankard, wearing an obnoxiously colourful outfit that begs for people to pay him attention. I think he's more suited to dreary tones...
"If telepathy were real, my dear reader, I'd share my conclusion with you..." His pale hand grips my shoulder. "Alas, such words should never leave a gentleman's lips."
"There's nothing gentle about you, man." I pry his hand off of me. It takes some force...
He's an eccentric personality. I'm surprised he hasn't gotten himself into trouble. Try the buddy-buddy act with the wrong person and you'd probably get punched for it...

"Where are you from, anyway?"
"Hmm? What makes you so curious?"
"You don't fit the atmosphere of Yve at all. Obviously, you studied at Xark, but..."
"Stop! It's the atmosphere of Yve that doesn't fit me. I am hardly the problem."
"So are you from planet Lankard or something?"
"Non non. My true home is west of here, in the land of Brunel."
"Aah, I don't know much about Brunel."
"We do keep to ourselves."

If I'm remembering things right, Brunel is on the same continent as Aurba, but it's part of a different empire—the Mul Empire.
Other than being allies of Yve, they don't seem to be very notable. At least, neither the princess nor Ms. Tsa cared much about them. Wait, I called her a princess again! She's called Feana! I'll get it right next time.

"Let us return the question to you, Hildna. From where do you hail?"
"Huh? You want to know about me?"
"You began by judging me, so... Hmm... Your hair is light, yet not the hue of Yve."
"Yeah, I'm a bit of a stranger to Yve. Technically, I got my start in Lann."
"Oh, of course! That explains why you're so proficient in universal language! How was that not my first guess?"
"Uh... right, that does make the most sense."
"Still, a stranger to Yve, yet one who spends his free time with off-duty guards."
"We met in Lann. She was showing me around this area of town."
"How does it compare to that coastal capital in the East? I've never been to Lann. Not yet, that is."
"Hmm... Well, I think the first thing I noticed was... the language."
"Is it not the same as in Lann and Vain?"
"No, not at all. Even remote villages in Lann use universal language more than Yve's capital does."
"The people here are precious of their nationality."
"I can see that, but it's still odd that Yve, surrounded by two countries that use universal language, doesn't try to blend in."
"Yve's closest allies are across the western ocean, after all. Far closer than Lann or Xark, I'm sure you know."
"Xarka sounds more anti-Eraidus than pro-Yve."

Lankard breaks out into a laugh that persists uncomfortably long. Tears even well up in his eyes. It wasn't that funny of a joke. Actually, I'm not even sure that I told a joke...
"Quite right! Xark is a silly place for the self-obsessed." He wipes his tears away with a final chuckle.
I really want to ask him: "Is that why you studied there?" But I've learned when to keep my mouth shut, so I won't.

"I, too, find an oddity in this chat." He settles back down and changes the topic. "If you come from across the border, shouldn't you be a diplomat of Lann?"
I reply with something plain. "If Vio had approached me instead of Feana, maybe it would've gone that way."
Lankard looks at me strangely. Did I say something wrong? ...wait, this is the kind of context where I really should've called Feana by her title instead of her name.
I try and brush over it by pushing the conversation ahead.
"I don't know if it matters either way. I mean, when you find yourself trapped in a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere, does it matter what the nation is called?"
"Stop!" He interrupts. "I need to write that down!"
He pulls a small notepad from his shirt pocket and, while repeating my words, begins to scribble. "When you find yourself trapped in a snowstorm... does it matter what the nation is called?"

"...are you done?"
"I've been struck by Sarlow's arrow!"
"...oh, okay."

I don't know what that means, but if I ask, it might raise suspicion. It's probably another reference to a play or some mythology or something.
This guy, for all his weirdness, does seem more likely to figure out my true history than a normal person would be. I've gotta keep that in mind.

"Well then, if you don't mind, my dear reader... A soonsiter must siter on his thoughts."

With that, he waltzes away, continuing to scrawl ideas onto paper. He seems weirdly inspired, but maybe chatting with strangers is how he gets his ideas.

"Oh wait, Lankard! I have a job you might be perfect for!"