[Audio]

[inanimum]

So... what happened last week was weird, right? That doesn't happen all the time? Because if there are people just wandering around with duplicates of themselves and time traveling and everything, then I don't know if I want to be here much longer. It's... very stressful and confusing.

[ He clears his throat. ]

And I also got a letter? Something saying something about school? I.. I don't know what that is, but it says that I have to go. Do I get in trouble if I don't?

Comments

[rescuerdownunder]

Deeefinitely not normal, nope. Though weird stuff happens pretty periodically around here.

Aaand there're consequences for not going to school, sure, but it's more like a slap on the wrist than anything really bad. Don't sound so nervous.

[audio]

[inanimum]

I just... I've never been to school before. Does it hurt? What's it like?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

[there's choked laughter in the background] Geez, kid-- nah, it doesn't hurt. Mostly. School is where young ones go to learn stuff and socialize and other fun things like that.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Oh! So there will be more people there? And I get to learn about things? [ Vivi laughs just a little, seemingly excited about this prospect. ]

I think I like the idea of school!

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Yeah, there's gonna be other people there. Whaddaya think this was, some weird punishment? --Actually, don't answer that, I kinda thought that too when I went there.

But if you don't mind people or learning or authority figures or rules, you're gonna do great.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Oh no. I like people! And I think I'm pretty good at following rules... I mean, Grandpa never complained, and my friends seem to like me okay.

Do you go to school too?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Me? No way. I'm definitely past the school days age.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Oh... You only go if you're a certain age? I didn't know that... Neat! You're smart.

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Well, you're only obligated to go until you're eighteen. You can keep going past that, I'm just not interested. Since I'm smart already an' all that.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Oh, then I guess you really don't need school then, huh? I bet you were really good!

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

... Yeaaah, sure. Somethin' like that. It was a pretty long time ago.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Was it? Hm... you don't sound that old... But... I'm not a very good judge of things like that, I guess

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Eeeh, let's just say some special circumstances were involved an' leave it at that, yeah? So, now that we've established you get to be excited for school, I should prolly introduce myself, huh? The name's Lea. Got it memorized?

[audio]

[inanimum]

M-Memorized? [ He sounds nervous. How was he supposed to know that there was a test?!] U-um.. yeah! I do! Lea! Your name is Lea! Oh! And I'm Vivi. It's nice to meet you, Lea!

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

[there's a beat as lea considers being nice to the nervous kid (and also wonder if he's ever heard that name before it sounds ODDLY FAMILIAR huh) and telling him it's a catchphrase, but then he doesn't] Nice to meetcha, Vivi. You new around here?

[audio]

[inanimum]

U-um.. yeah. I came through a few weeks ago... I haven't really been here long, but I like it so far. [ He pauses, as if he could actually be seen tilting his head. ] Did you come here recently, too?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

I got here a couple of months back. It's not a bad place if you ignore the whole death trap feeling.

[audio]

[inanimum]

[ A long silence. ]

...Death trap?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Oooor just general trap, if we want to be less fatalistic. An' since I was mostly exaggerating, let's go with that. Y'know, the whole-- "you're not real, you can't get out, and if you do no one knows what happened" kinda deal. Dunno 'bout you, but it's hitting a lot of my Creepazoid pings.

[audio]

[inanimum]

[ He doesn't really seem to know much of what Lea's saying, but the speech he'd been given upon entry was rather suspicious... ]

Y-yeah. Me too. Um... you don't know how to get out, then?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Would I still be here if I did? It's kind of a work in progress.

[audio]

[inanimum]

O-oh... I guess not. I just thought maybe you really liked it here I guess.

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

The people aren't bad, but as far as worlds go, I've seen better.

[audio]

[inanimum]

But... everything's so shiny here. It's small, but it's shiny and clean! ..Are there really better worlds than this one?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

Well, I'd say any world where I'm not trapped with the risk of turning into a cat or whatever weirdo thing happens next is pretty good. But yeah, sure. There's tons of worlds out there. Bound to be at least a few that are nice and cozy for anyone.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Oh wow... So.. um... what's your world like? Is it like this one at all?

[audio]

[rescuerdownunder]

It's not an island and it's a lot less forest-y, so... Pretty different! But I'm more of a traveler than anythin'.

[audio]

[inanimum]

Really? A traveler? I did some traveling too back home... I wanna see lots of things. Lots of different worlds like you!

[madeofswords]

Ah, Vivi.

[This is Archer making a confused face of his own.]

It depends. How old are you?

[audio]

[inanimum]

U-um... not very old... I don't know exactly, but I know I'm not a grown-up or anything...