[[a survey + eventual survey discussion closed post]]

[ravkanwitch]

As promised, there’s a new stack of paper on the welcome table in the main lobby; each sheet has many questions on it along with a cup of pens on the side and a brightly colored box with a large slot cut into the top of it. Nina’s ready for her new project. For most characters, if they don’t see this, a very charming and friendly Nina Zenik will be tracking them down with the sheet of questions and a pen eventually…

“MANSION SURVEY: Help us take stock and plan fun and activities!*

*answers are private to Nina and Susan only”

[[Please check out the Fun Mansion Questions tab in the Mansion Demographics spreadsheet and have your characters fill it out! Check the discord if you don’t have a link.]]

Comments

[ravkanwitch]

"Well, that too," Nina allows. "I think Ragnelle's asleep because it's the wintertime, but I wouldn't mind splitting everyone else up."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Good." Susan is skimming theatrical preferences. "I fear we have a lot of work to do. So many wallflowers!"

[ravkanwitch]

"I think I could sway a couple of people if we needed more for the stage. I'm very convincing," she says, in a dramatic fashion, putting a fist to the palm of her other hand jokingly.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, I don't doubt it for a second." Susan offers Nina a tiny genuine smile as she starts noting down a shortlist of the types of theatrical roles people indicated as being of interest.

[ravkanwitch]

“What sort of plays do you like?” Nina is slightly less methodical in looking through the responses, also stopping to smile at Luo Binghe’s response to the theater question.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I rather think Shakespeare is a classic for a reason," says Susan, thoughtfully. "Anything with a strong emotional through-line, really. But I've been reading ever so many plays since we discussed doing this, and there's such a variety from my future, and from other worlds as well."

[ravkanwitch]

"I've heard that name before, but I'm not sure who Shakespeare is," Nina admits. "I'm sure I can find some here to read -- or if you pick out a couple plays, I can help give advice on what would mesh well with the people here."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, he wrote a million plays several hundred years ago," says Susan, like she doesn't know both numbers with significantly greater precision. "Comedies, tragedies, histories... what sort of plays did you grow up with?"

[ravkanwitch]

"I haven't seen many. I grew up in an orphanage and later had - um, a couple of lost years. Most of them were folk plays performed at the Grand Palace. Legends of the Saints, things like that. My acting experience was more... practical."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Practical," Susan repeats. It takes a moment for the implications to click. "Ah! I see."

[ravkanwitch]

"Freeing political prisoners, swindling deserving merchants, or stealing secrets for my kingdom; take your pick," Nina says, with a nervous little smile."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Practical indeed," Susan says, slotting this information away in the back of her mind to add to her list of the attributes of the residents here. "Do you enjoy acting when it's for fun, then?"

[ravkanwitch]

"Oh, absolutely," Nina says, eagerly. "I think my gift for languages also helps me memorize lines quickly as well."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, have you got a gift for languages?"

[ravkanwitch]

Nina nods happily. "I think we briefly mentioned... the language situation in the mansion the last time we talked? That was before everything broke down for a day, though. I know four of the languages from my world fluently and two or three pretty well. I've also been trying to learn English, French, Chinese, and Danish wherever the translator doesn't work. Danish is oddly similar to Fjerdan!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Oh, yes, that's right. Fascinated, Susan says, "Do you think that different languages lend themselves to different - oh, I don't know. Modes of behavior while speaking them?"

[ravkanwitch]

“From my experience, yes, I think so— I always feel a little more restrained when I’m speaking Fjerdan. Much less emotional!”

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Fascinating," says Susan. "And you say it's like Danish?" She's never thought of the Danes as a particularly unemotional breed of man.

[ravkanwitch]

“Danish and some… Norwegian? I believe. Maybe a little Finnish too.” She’s been looking at a map of Scandinavia while experimenting with her language lessons.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I thought I was all right with languages," Susan says, thoughtfully. "Until the translator failed. You should have heard me trying to stumble may way through schoolgirl French with Lancelot.'

[ravkanwitch]

Nina laughs. "French is difficult. English is also difficult! I had to resort to three word sentences and sign language with Janet."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"We ought to have asked about languages, too," Susan says, glancing at the surveys. "In case the translator should fail again, it would be helpful to know for certain who can communicate with whom."

[ravkanwitch]

"We should have," Nina frowns. "Maybe we can add another survey later. This is pretty good information, though."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"It is," Susan agrees. "A solid start." Something occurs to her, and she turns to a new page in her notebook. "Do you remember everyone's dishes at the meal? Perhaps we also ought to add that to the end of the surveys."

[ravkanwitch]

"I remember most of them... but even if I don't, I know Sagramore has a list that I could probably track down." She gives Susan a mildly admiring look. "You're very put together, you know. You're exactly what this place needs."