Go with Lupin

"A sensible choice. After all, between myself and Nemo, is there any contest who's the better woman?" Lupin asks.

"Still right here." Nemo says. "How badly do you think of me, anyway!?"

"You've kept me safe so far, Lupin." I say.

"Don't give on me yet, Mr. Caleb!"

And so, Lupin and I part ways from the pouting Nemo and head towards the checkpoint. We approach a huge gate.

Beyond it, I see many buildings.

The gate is crowded with people, and a line is waiting to get through the checkpoint.

We join the long line. Finally, it is our turn.

"I'm a little nervous." I say.

"Leave it to me. You just have to say what we practiced earlier. Ahem." Lupin coughs. "La, la, laaaaa!"

"What are you doing, Lupin?"

"Next!" It is our turn. Lupin confidentially takes my hand and walks up to the guard. "You two together? State your names, please."

"'State my name'?! Who are you to order me about?! Is that how you speak to nobility?" Lupin asks.

"Uh. Nobility? Are you an aristocrat, madam?" the guard asks.

"Indeed I am!" The guards bow their heads at Lupin's voice. "You've made me wait in this interminable line, and now this shoddy treatment! I am not having a happy day!"

"Yes madam, sorry madam. But we do have rules. May I have your name, please, madam?" the guard asks.

"If you must! I am Baroness Jane Hamilton! This is my husband, Guildford. Isn't that so, Guildford?" Lupin says.

This is all as we had practiced.

"Yes, dear, that's right. How, uh, dare you, you... Um..." I say.

"You seem very nervous, Sir." the guard asks.

"How dare you speak to my husband in that tone!" Lupin says.

"Sorry, madam! I meant nothing!" the guards days. "Madam, if I may, do you have any proof of your identity on your person?"

This is not something we had practiced. I look at Lupin in panic.

However, with a calm expression, Lupin draws a bigger dagger from within her coat. "This dagger bears our family crest."

"This is indeed the Hamilton coat of arms. Pardon me, Baroness and Lord Hamilton! Please, pass through!" the guard bows low as Lupin stride through.

I hurry along behind her.