Challenge accepted. Go for the mouthy one.

“Alright, I’ll accept your bet,” says Stewart, defiantly. “And I’ll tell you what... I’ll even work my charms on the one you struck out with, just to make it easier for you.”

Duncan slaps his brother on the back. “That’s the spirit! I knew getting you away from the palace would loosen you up. This is just like old times. Remember our wager about Lucy Lackenthorp? Ha! Those were good times.”

Stewart smiles back at his brother. “Lucy Lackenthorp? Wow... That’s a name I haven’t heard a in a long time! Whatever happened to her, and which one of us won the bet?”

“Last I heard, she got married to a horse breeder and lives on the border with Obscuria. In terms of the bet, I think we decided to call it a draw. You were the first one to touch her tits, but I was the one who got her panties as a souvenir. If Mother hadn’t intervened, I think I would have won the tie-breaking point, though.”

Stewart regards the ladies, who are still at a merchant’s table. “Alright, in the spirit of breaking the tie over Lucy Lackenthorp, let me show you how a true gentleman charms a lady.”

Stewart confidently approaches the young women, with Duncan following a discreet distance behind. The one who had spoken earlier is just paying for her purchase when they notice the approaching brothers.

“Excuse me, ma’am, but I wish to apologize for my brother’s earlier conduct,” says Stewart, removing his hat and bowing politely to both ladies. “He has a peculiar form of Tourette’s Syndrome and often says the most disgraceful things. I accept full responsibility for what happened; I never should have taken him out of the hospital without his nurse, but it was such a lovely day, and I just wanted to give him some fresh air and excitement.”

Stewart can feel Duncan’s eyes, throwing darts at the back of his head, but he ignores his brother and is gratified to hear the ladies laugh at his words.

“Apology accepted,” says the woman, holding out her hand. “My name is Ophelia, and this is my sister, Lucy. I owe you an apology, as well, for my words. My mother always tells me that I am too quick with my tongue.”

As Stewart kisses Ophelia’s hand, Duncan steps forward and says, “Well, I’m the last one to complain about a woman’s fast-moving tongue; it can really be a great asset, at times.” Turning to the other woman, he removes his hat and bows. “Your name is Lucy, is it not? What a coincidence! My brother and I were just discussing someone named Lucy. Fate must have ordained that our paths would cross.”

“My name is Stew....” The king stops in mid-word, realizing that the use of their real names, especially here in Central City, might cause people to connect the dots about their true identity.

Sensing his brother’s predicament, Duncan comes to the rescue. “His name is stupendously difficult for people to pronounce, due to our parents’ choice to name us for our most prominent physical characteristics at birth. His full name is Shriveldickus Microballus Limpycockus, but we all call him Little Dicky for short.”

Stewart glares at his brother while the ladies suppress their amusement. “Very charmed to meet you, Dicky,” says Ophelia. “What an extraordinary name.”

Duncan says, “And my name — my formal name, that is — is Ohmygracious Whatahumongous Whoppingdong. But you can call me Hugo; it used to be pronounced ‘Huge-Oh,’ but it changed over time. My name, that is, not the physical characteristic that inspired it.”

Ophelia looks skeptically at Duncan, but Lucy bursts out in giggles. Duncan kisses her hand and says, “As you can see, I, too, have a quick tongue. Sometimes I even use it for speaking.” He winks at her as he kisses her hand one more time.

Before this can get any more ridiculous, Stewart says, “As I was saying, I am most apologetic about my brother’s conduct, and I wish to make it up to you. Would you be our guests for dinner?”

Duncan says, “Capital idea, brother!” Turning to Lucy, he says, “You can’t come all the way to Capital City without sampling the absolute best that the Kingdom has to offer.” With a slow wink, he adds, “Oh... and there are some pretty good things to eat, too.”

Ophelia appears to be less than amused by Duncan’s words, but she looks sympathetically at Stewart and says, “Well, I am a bit hungry, I will admit. And there is a place nearby that looked intriguing.”