Ask Doreen to teach me

"I want Doreen to teach me." I say.

"What a pleasant surprise. I hope I can be of assistance." Doreen says.

"You're going to learn about London? He... I mean she probably knows everything there is to know about this city. He'll... I'm sorry. She'll be a great guide." Lupin says.

"I'm sad you didn't choose me. But I guess ol' Dorian-G... I mean Doreen-G's not a bad choice." Nemo says.

"Don't worry, lots of people have a hard time getting used my gender bends." Doreen says.

"It seems you're well trusted, Gray." Van Helsing says.

"Ahah, I have helped these people out with endeavours on several occasions." Doreen says. "If their trust in me is a result of my having assisted them, it is a source of joy."

"Gray's not bad in a fight, too, though she doesn't look it. You'll be safe with her around in case something happens." Lupin says.

"I see. That's a bit unexpected. I don't mean to offend, but I assumed that Gray wasn't fond of confrontation." Victoria says.

"Of course, I dislike conflict. However, I'm not so cowardly as to shy away from a fight if the situation calls for one." Doreen says. "I'm looking forward to working with you today, Mr. Caleb."

"Thank you." I say.

After breakfast, Doreen and I walk through the London streets.

This area seems middle-class, as Lupin explained it. There are plenty of people in the streets, and those people are better dressed than those in the poor districts.

No, I have to stay alert. I need to remember that there are people after me.

"What's the matter? You seem to be trying to look everywhere at once." Doreen says.

"I feel as if Progenitor might be hiding somewhere." I say.

"Ahah, Progenitor is a very competent organisation. No matter how hard you look, you'll never catch of them. If anything, acting all paranoid would just alert any agents nearby."

"Are you sure we're safe walking around in public like this?"

"No need to fear. As Lupin said, London is filled with people. It's actually more difficult to find one person in this crowd."

"Are you sure? Well, if you say so. Where are we going today, Gray?"

"Let's see. We'll walk around as much as we can, and perhaps visit a place that is unique to London."

"Its sounds like we're just out having fun."

"Ahah. This is part of your training. If you're going to be going about London, it's important to know the lay of the land." Doreen says. "This should make it easier for you to escape, should you be attacked."

"Yes. You're right."

"Let us proceed to the centre of Britain." Doreen begins walking again, and I follow.

After we walk for a while, we arrive at a wide, orderly, open space.

There are not many people on the street nearby, and carriages and automobiles pass by us every once in a while.

The buildings nearby are all very large mansions. The people around us are wearing well-tailored clothing.

I may be imagining it, but it even feels like the air here is cleaner than in Midtown.

"This is Central London. It's the centre of London, of course, but is also the brain of Britain." Doreen says. "The various political, economic, and diplomatic functionaries are gathered here in this district."

"I don't see many people here." I say.

"The upper class rarely walk. They mainly go about in carriages or automobiles." Dorian says. "The people you see out on the street tend to be servants running errands."

"Servants? But they're so well-dressed."

"The upper class like to show off. Dressing their servants well is a reflection of their own wealth."

I look at Doreen, puzzled. "Um... Why don't you use a carriage? You don't have any servants, either."

"Ahah, I'm a bit of an oddball. I like to walk on my own two feet, and I prefer to run my own errands."

"I see. Then I prefer the oddballs."

"It's an honour, my beautiful gentleman." Doreen smiles kindly, and we begin to walk again.