"Much more sensible! We could perhaps even earn some capital to put towards our endeavors."

And, while they're not looking where they're going - 

They almost bump into a teenaged girl on the sidewalk outside, who spins to the side them fluidly, laughing a bit.

Her motion is somewhat off.

--Huh. A coincidence, or...? 

He keeps watching to see if it was an isolated incident. 

The girl keeps going down the street. She doesn't really seem to have clocked them as important, and also she doesn't really seem to fully get what the range of motion for human joints is supposed to be. Maybe she's hypermobile?

Maybe. But--well, if he's wrong, there's little harm in looking odd in front of a stranger. 

He hurries to catch up with her. 

"Excuse me! Excuse me, miss?" 

She turns, her hips following behind her chest a bit too far. She's still smiling, fairly broadly. "Yes? Is something the matter?" she asks.

"Not at all--beg pardon, but I'm a doctor, and your range of flexibility seems remarkable. I was wondering if you would be willing to allow me to study it? I can compensate you for your time." 

She laughs a bit nervously. "Ah! No. I really don't think that will be necessary. At all. I don't quite think it can be reproduced, as I take after my mother there!"

"A genetic quirk is still something that can greatly benefit the scientific community." 

"I'm really sorry, but, well, I'm quite shy about doctors."

"Even if said doctor were already aware of phenomena outside mainstream medical science?" 

"If I said I could change my face as easily as I might bend my elbow, would you have me committed, dear open-minded doctor?" she says, expression serious but voice light enough to claim she had been joking.

"Certainly not. You aren't the only one who has reason to fear exposure, although admittedly one is less likely to get burned at the stake for witchcraft these days than when my ancestor was lynched for alleged necromancy." 

"There's forces out there, still, who aren't so accepting. Beyond the ignorant everyday people. Necromancy - is there somewhere more comfortable to talk?"

If he's part of a cult then she needs to get information on them, and playing along's usually a decent way to do that...

"We have a hotel room," he says, turning back and nodding at Helen and Amity. 

She walks up to them all, says, "I'm Nausicaa. I didn't get your names."

"Amity," she says with a small smile. "It's good to meet you."

"Helen. It's a pleasure." 

"And I am Joseph Ward." 

"Nice to meet you all, too." Assuming they don't try to kill her. Though people who know and are nice would be refreshing...

It isn't that far a walk to the hotel. 

Once they have privacy, Joseph says, "I apologize for confronting you on the street like that, but I couldn't think of a better way to inquire." 

"It was kind of a bit alarming?"

"I can see how it would be." 

"And he's sorry." 

"And I'm sorry."