[dictated]

[thehistorian]

[You know, there's a lot of things Shaun could say, but for once, he's going to go with a very succinct, slightly clipped--]

Does this place ever become anything even slightly resembling normal? You know, just a bit more sane than fairy tales and sentient marshmallows?

Really, my most incoherent nightmares are less insane than this. Some time away from the weirdness, that would be absolutely wonderful.

Comments

[heloise]

[ Marsh Mallows sound like some monster. ]

I hope the marshmallows didn't harm you.

[thehistorian]

No, no, they just-- were ... marshmallowy. At a distance. I did my best to avoid them, to be honest.

[heloise]

That is good. Were they fearsome?

[thehistorian]

Well, as fearsome as... small, baby chicken shaped sweets can be.

[heloise]

[ She chuckles. ]

Sweets? And they are named marshmallows?

[thehistorian]

Oh, yeah. They're made of sugar, water, gelatin-- things like that. Mix it all together with some food dye and they turn into this... spongey sort of confectionery we call marshmallows. Then you put them into little molds so they look like chickens and bunnies and give them out for Easter.

[heloise]

[ So amused. ]

You know how to make them? Will you show me?

[thehistorian]

I'm not sure I could make them from scratch, but I'm sure I could find some to show you. I mean, they were more than plentiful just a few weeks ago. I'm sure this place has some hiding in a cabinet somewhere.

[heloise]

I should dearly like to see it, if you would.

[thehistorian]

I don't mind. It's not as though I have any pressing concerns, honestly, and I'd rather venture out and be sociable when things aren't straight out of a fairy tale.

[heloise]

Even when there are wonderful adventures to be had in a magical tale?

[thehistorian]

Fairy tales really never end well. I'd be worried about some awful thing happening to me, to be honest.

[heloise]

You do not believe in happy endings?

[thehistorian]

Not in fairy tales. Not the real ones, anyway. In reality? Even less so.

[heloise]

There is a word for those like you though I can't recall it.

[thehistorian]

Pessimists?

[heloise]

Exactly.

[thehistorian]

I get that rather often.

[heloise]

Do you not feel tired?

[thehistorian]

Why-- why would that make me feel tired?

[heloise]

Is it not a burden to so often expect threats instead of gifts?

[thehistorian]

I'd rather expect threats and be pleasantly surprised than wind up the other way around.

[heloise]

Such as sentient marshmallows that turn out to be delicious?

[thehistorian]

They might be delicious, but they could attack. A face full of angry marshmallow doesn't sound pleasant.

[heloise]

[ She chuckles. ]

They would be sweet.