☡ 001 | video

[changeablenature]

Look!

[There's no person onscreen, though the voice is a young one, girlish and British-accented. The camera is pointed to a child's drawing of a rabbit on a plain white background, and it hovers there for a few long seconds, letting everyone get a good look. There's still no sign of the speaker, but the sound of soft breathing indicates that she's very close by.

Then, suddenly, the picture starts to change. The rabbit drawing appears to push itself outwards, becoming three-dimensional, and then it starts to peel itself off of the paper. Crayon scribbles shift and change, becoming soft faux-fur. It only takes a few seconds for the entire process to complete itself, and what's left is a blank piece of paper... and lying next to it, a little stuffed toy rabbit. The girl's voice laughs, delighted.]

It's brilliant; isn't it brilliant? I can make anything I want!

[She cannot, in fact, make anything she wants, but she can certainly make a lot. The possibilities feel endless.]

Comments

[changeablenature]

I'm going to eat the sweets.

[She says this just a little bit like she's talking to someone slow.]

But everything else will stay.

[This is not actually true, but she's assuming it is.]

[showshismetal]

Cool!

That is amazing! You are really talented!

He is smiling and totally misses her intent of words. He is just impressed, okay?

[changeablenature]

Yes... I suppose I am.

[This she says very seriously.]

Would you like me to make you something?

[showshismetal]

You don't have to.

Just doing what you're doing is cool.

[changeablenature]

I could make another bunny. Or a little toy that that meow-meows when you squeeze it.

[showshismetal]

A bunny would be awesome.

[ Alphonse nods. Bunnies are cool. ]

[changeablenature]

Have you ever had a real one? I was going to have a real one once.

[showshismetal]

I've petted one, and fed it, but it was a wild one.

[changeablenature]

If it was a wild one, why did it let you pet it?

[showshismetal]

Well, there was a drought and it was winter, and we were cooking food over a fire. I guess after I fed it and we didn't try to kill it, it felt safe enough.

[changeablenature]

Did you make it your pet?

[showshismetal]

No. We left it a little food, and then headed onward.

[changeablenature]

Oh.

[She sounds a little disappointed.]

I could make a pet bunny, if I wanted to. I might.

[showshismetal]

That could be fun.

Bunnies are awesome.

[changeablenature]

If you get one, could I play with it?

[showshismetal]

Absolutely!

What else are friends for?

[changeablenature]

[Lorna finally drops into view, squinting at him. She's a young girl - about nine or ten, small and skinny, with dyed dark brown hair that has blond roots growing in.]

What's your name?

[showshismetal]

I'm Alphonse!

[ he waves, smiling. For she reminds him of his own self when he was younger. ]

[changeablenature]

[There's a moment of hesitation when she decides which name to use, but in the end goes with--]

I'm Lorna.

[She hasn't been Lorna for a while. It tastes unfamiliar on her tongue, and she giggles.]

[showshismetal]

Nice to meetcha, Lorna! [ he smiles at her, delighted. ]

[changeablenature]

Are you from another planet?

[She's going to be asking e v e r y o n e this.]

[showshismetal]

No, and yes.

[ He grins. ]

A different version of Earth that is not the same as most, I think.

[changeablenature]

Is it better or worse than this Earth?

[showshismetal]

I am not sure. I was from a small area, and in the past. My area was awesome.

[changeablenature]

Do you want to go back? Do you miss it?