second ➛ video

[backpacking]

Okay, short and sweet. I've got some questions. ... And one comment, which is fuck that last trip. You think you're home free from whatever crap you've got back home, and then... bam. It's in your face. What's that about?

[ huff ]

Name's Ellie. I spent a lot of time reading back home and now that we're not in the trenches anymore, I need some reading material. Suggestions? The library's huge here and I don't even know where to start!

Uh... [ What else... She scrunches up her nose, thinking. ] Anyone up to teaching a kid to swim? Because that's something long overdue that I haven't gotten around to. And -

[ She looks a little more meekly at the camera, then glances away, chewing on the inside of her cheek. ]

There any way to get in touch with someone back home? Like... I dunno, a magic mirror so we can see they're okay? It's important. Thanks.

Comments

[luckynumberthree]

Technically this is the magic forum, I suppose. Even if it is lacking in cats.

I suppose that's true enough. Could have done without the nostalgia, however. Ruined my whole 'Vacation in Wonderland' groove.

[backpacking]

... Right, yeah. The network. I forget that it's kind of like what people actually had in the real world back when.

[ She understands it in concept, but it's more like history than reality. ]

I mean, that was less nostalgia and more just... like a nightmare-flashback.

[luckynumberthree]

Back when, huh? Way to make me feel old, kid.

[ He's joking. ]

Yeah, I suppose so. At least Wonderland was nice enough to drop us into the point where we had Abel to hide in. It coulda dropped us in the beginning, when everything was still going to hell.

[backpacking]

How old are you, anyway? I would've said 20-something.

[ Which is a range, but. Sue her. ]

Oh, shit. Yeah. I didn't even think of that. [ It'd be more like what she's used to, not having a town to live and be safe in. Or, relatively safe. ]

[luckynumberthree]

I knew I liked you for a reason. I'll take it. You can flatter me like that anytime you like.

[ Aren't you adorable? ]

I'm very good at thinking up worst case scenarios. Easier to plan for them that way.

[backpacking]

What? I wasn't trying to flatter you. [ squint ] So you're what, then?

[ Of course she'd put Joel up near 60 so she's not the most accurate judge.

Not that that's too far off, though. ]

I guess so, but it'd be majorly... depressing.

[luckynumberthree]

510.

[ He's joking, but still manages to deliver that answer with a perfectly straight face. ]

[backpacking]

Five-foot-ten, maybe. C'mon.

[ :'D ]

[luckynumberthree]

I am 6'1, thank you very much, squirt.

[backpacking]

You started it!

[ She grins, though. ]

If you're not gonna tell me how old you are, I guess I'm just gonna have to assume.

[luckynumberthree]

Oh, now there's a terrifying concept. What do you know about assuming ages?

[backpacking]

Nothing. Which is why it's gonna be bad for you, Mr. Forty-Two-Year-Old.

[luckynumberthree]

Well. I suppose that's a decent enough guess for a six year old.

[backpacking]

Wow. Wow. You've still got some fight in you, old man.

[ :'D ]

Don't hurt yourself trying to get back at me, though, alright? I'd feel bad putting you in an early- sorry, late grave.

[luckynumberthree]

People keep trying to put me there and it just doesn't take, so I think we're safe.

But I'll do my best, squirt. [ He winks at her, all playful mischief. ]