Lana sat on the bed and gestured for Michael to do the same.
Michael sat on a nearby chair, ignoring Lana's gestures.
They stared at each other in an awkward silence before Michael finally started a conversation.
"Why did you bring me here, Lana?"
She smiled, slipping off her shoes.
"I'm a traveling journalist. I travel all around the world, meeting new people and exploring different cultures. I write about my experiences so people can read about interesting places they might want to visit."
"I've interviewed many people during my travels, and Trier is no exception. But even with all my adventures, I've never heard of wandering clowns. I think it'd be interesting to interview one."
Michael frowned. "Sure, ask what you want. But was it necessary to bring me here?"
"Well, we can have more privacy here, don't you think?" Lana smirked.
Guess someone's parents never taught about stranger danger...
Michael satirized in his mind.
"Fine then. Ask me anything you want. But I'm not sure I'm interesting enough for your column, Lana," he said.
"Don't worry about that, Gregor," Lana replied, pulling a small notebook and pencil from her pocket.
"To start, what's your name?"
"You already know my name, Lana," Michael said, adjusting his suit.
"It's for the interview. Now answer it."
Michael rolled his eyes before answering. "My name is Gregor Alighieri."
Lana scribbled something down in her notebook before continuing. "What's your profession?"
"I'm a wandering clown."
"Alright…" She scribbled something in her notebook again. "How long have you been a wandering clown?"
"I've been a wandering clown for seven years."
Lana nodded as she made another note. "And how old are you?"
"I turned 19 last November."
Lana frowned as she looked at him puzzled. "So you've been a wandering clown since you were 12?"
"Yes." Michael replied calmly, seeing nothing unusual about it.
"I thought that was illegal," Lana muttered as she wrote something in her notebook.
"Might be in some places, but it's not like i spent much time in just one place for someone to care."
Lana looked at him as she nodded, "Fair enough, makes sense."
"And what's your relationship with Ms. Samsa?"
Michael hesitated for a moment before answering, "She's my older cousin."
"Now that you mention it, I did notice a resemblance," Lana remarked, scribbling down another note.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It is," Lana replied, looking into his eyes.
Michael was taken aback as his face grew slightly red.
Noticing his reaction, Lana chuckled, "You're quite shy, huh?"
Michael coughed as he took a deep breath. "It's your fault for saying such weird things..."
Lana shrugged her shoulders. "Anyway, next question: What Pathway do you belong to?"
Michael's mind was still confused, so he didn't process the question and just answered automatically, "Delusional."
Lana smirked as she scribbled something in her notebook.
Michael's eyes widened as he realized what he had said.
Shit, shit, shit. What just happened?! I can't believe I fell for that!
Michael showed clear signs of panic and anxiety.
"Don't worry, I already knew that you were a Beyonder. I just wanted to know your Pathway."
Before she could say more, there was a knock at the door.
"Go to the bathroom, take off your clothes, and wrap a towel around your body and hair. When I say the word 'idea,' come out and act like you're flirting with me," Lana whispered as she got up from the bed.
Confused but compliant, Michael went to the bathroom and began to undress.
....
At the same time, Lana took off her jacket and threw it on the floor.
She wrinkled her shirt and tousled her hair before opening the door, pretending to pant heavily.
Despite being an act, it was convincing.
Standing outside were a hotel attendant and a police officer.
The attendant spoke first. "Ms. Walker, I'm sorry to disturb you, but the police are searching for a criminal, and they believe he might be in the area. They need to ask everyone if they've seen him."
"Oh my, what happened?!" Lana feigned shock, turning to the officer.
"The daughter of Viscount Burey, Rebecca Burey, was found dead less than an hour ago at the Viscount's villa. We're looking for the main suspect, Michael Burey, who was the last person seen with her," the officer explained.
Lana's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hands. "Her own brother?! I... I had no idea Trier was so dangerous…"
"Don't worry, Ms. Walker. We're doing everything we can to find the suspect," the officer reassured her, handing her a wanted poster.
The poster read:
"Wanted for: Plotting a noble's assassination, threatening a noble, jewelry theft, desecration of a corpse, and assassination."
On the poster was also a picture of Michael's face.
As Lana stared at it, the bathroom door opened, and Michael stepped out wearing only a towel around his waist and another on his head.
"Lana, my dear, our bath is ready…" he said.
Lana quickly turned back to the officer. "E-Eh, I-I haven't seen him. C-Can I keep the poster so I can recognize him if I do?" she stuttered nervously.
The officer looked at the floor embarrassed. "Thank you, Ms. Walker. Yes, please keep it. If you have any information, report to the station immediately. Sorry for the interruption."
The officer and the attendant left as Lana closed the door.
Once it was shut, Michael returned to the bathroom to get dressed.
When he came out again, Lana was waiting for him with a smirk.
"What happened, Lana?" he asked curiously.
Lana held up the wanted poster, showing it to Michael.
"Mind explaining this, Gregor?"