for Winter. maybe.

[endlessblue]

Don't think I don't know what's going on. It's been years since you've thought about me at all. Now you claim to miss me, and how do you welcome me back?

By sending me to a place where we wake up in the middle of a lake. And that means I have to swim to shore. You know I can't. So are you trying to kill me? Wait, sorry. That's a stupid question. I'm already dead, in case you've forgotten that too! I'll amend it: are you trying to kill me again?

I feel very welcomed right now. I just thought you should know that.

Comments

[vexingyou]

As if any gentleman worth his salt would allow a lady as charming as you to drown!

[endlessblue]

I've already met a gentleman, but I don't think he'll be there.

Will you?

[vexingyou]

Assuming she-who-runs-me finishes my "app" by then, yes! And no, I won't let you drown, should I run into you!

[endlessblue]

It's some of the easiest paperwork I've ever seen. If only things really worked that way.

That's generous of you. What's your name?

[vexingyou]

Vexander Shadis, at your service. [And yes, he even bows.]

[endlessblue]

I'm Emma.

[She leaves off her last name. That's another can of worms she's not ready to open yet. She laughs and offers her hand.]

It's all right.

[vexingyou]

You can call me Vex. [He smiles.]

Alas, there is not a great deal of paperwork where I am from. Unless you're a merchant, and have to do things in triplicate. Which, I assure you, I am not.

[Have another bow over your hand.]

I'm a musician by trade. A bard, if you will.

[endlessblue]

I see. So you sing?

[vexingyou]

[And he ends up looking juuust a little awkward there.]

Well, I dance better than I sing. And I play better than I dance! Though I can carry a tune. My voice just is just not my preferred instrument.

[endlessblue]

Oh! That's really interesting. So that's how you earn a living?

[fenderbender]

Is there a particular reason you can't swim, or are you just being gutless?

[endlessblue]

My father drowned. He almost drowned me.

It's a phobia, all right? But it's a completely natural cause.

[fenderbender]

I'm sorry to hear that. [She sounds genuine.]

But you're still going to have to swim to shore.

[endlessblue]

Maybe...maybe there's a stick, and I can paddle! Or I can call for help.

[fenderbender]

If I'm there I can help you get to shore, but you really shouldn't be relying on that.

[endlessblue]

I know I have to find a way. I'm just angry at my mun. Of everything she could have done to me, it's this?

[fenderbender]

That kind of attitude isn't going to encourage her to be nicer to you. Just be grateful she didn't put you in a submarine.

[Lin is not great at comforting people, okay.]

[endlessblue]

Please don't give her ideas.

[fenderbender]

Sometimes they have good ideas.

Mine's giving me one of those ostrich-lizards. A 'dinosaur'.

[endlessblue]

You coexist with dinosaurs? How?

[fenderbender]

I don't, but it looks like we're all going to have to in this Winter place.

[endlessblue]

She didn't tell me about dinosaurs!

Well...they're not violent for no reason. We just have to be careful and avoid their territory, that's all. Right?

[fenderbender]

I honestly have no idea. I have never worked with dinosaurs before. They don't even exist in my world.

[endlessblue]

They existed in mine, but it was millions of years ago. Millions of years before any humans showed up!

It'll be something straight out of Jurassic Park. I hope they're not that dangerous.

[emperor_time]

Everyone has their weak points. It's unfortunate, however, that you can't avoid yours this time.

I recommend grabbing onto someone who looks like they've got a strong stroke.

[endlessblue]

It's unfortunate, but I don't think it's a coincidence. I just haven't suffered enough yet.

Do you think someone will be there?

[emperor_time]

A curious way to put it.

I have no idea who will be there. You referred to a 'we'. Or was that a royal we?

[endlessblue]

Me, royal? That would be the day. [She laughs.]

I know there will be other people there. I'm just not sure who. All I know is that I don't know any of them.

[emperor_time]

In that case, you should have no problem using one as a makeshift life preserver.

[endlessblue]

I don't just latch onto people. I'm not a zombie. Yet.

I ask first.

[emperor_time]

And if they refuse?

[endlessblue]

Then I'll find another way to the shore.

[emperor_time]

I can't quite tell if you're brave or foolish.

[endlessblue]

I'm a fool. I've always been.

[emperor_time]

Is that so? Well, I suppose you'd know yourself best.

I've gotten to know a few fools. They have their moments.

[endlessblue]

We all do, don't we?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Cannot swim? Such fiddlefaddle!
Surely you can doggy-paddle?

[endlessblue]

I can't.

...Wait a minute, can you?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I can swim, with some skill.
To cross a lake? I have the will.
Living in the Everfree Forest
Means surviving always takes your best.
Don't let water get your goat.
Fill your lungs, and you will float!

[endlessblue]

The...forest? You really rehearsed this, didn't you?

But that zebra costume looks really heavy and awkward.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Oh no! Please, let me explain.
(This is a quite familiar refrain.)
I am a zebra, blood and flesh
For on my world, you would not mesh.
Ponies, dragons, gryphons and such
Live in Equestria. There's no human touch.

[endlessblue]

...A whole new world? It must be pretty far away. So many of us---humans, that is---would be dying to be the first to visit.

The structure's like nothing I've seen before, except maybe in cartoons.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

They're welcome to visit, if they play nice.
If not? They'll regret it in a trice.

[princessofjustice]

That's terrible of your mun!

If I'm nearby, I'll certainly lend a hand!

[endlessblue]

I know. I can hardly wait to see what comes afterward!

I'd appreciate that, honestly.