"It has. Twenty years, or near enough. I've almost forgotten what it looked like. But you're right. There's few enough places out there that would give the sort of welcome I've found since I got here."

"Now that is entirely true," I say cheerfully. "And there's so much going on here; we used to joke, for a bit, they they should be selling us tickets. Lovely place," shame about some of the people, "always so interesting."

He takes my hand and shakes my hand, and although I wouldn't call him exactly cheerful he's nice enough. "Good to meet you, Zann. Samuel Durand. You're a stranger here too?" and I cock my head a little to one side. I mean, I am, but... "I haven't seen you in town, but I've not been here long at all."

"I am," I say cheerfully. "I mean, I didn't grow up here, and I've been here for a year now, but we're not really with the town." I think. It's... strange, now, hard to tell, and I grin a bit, shake my head and leave the question for later. "I work out at the Carnaval Diabolique; lovely place, grandest show just outside of town, although I have to tell you," I add, lowering my voice conspiratorily and leaning in a bit, "we don't get a lot of competition these days."