o n e

[changethings]

I can't believe I'm doing this. [ Henry said use the journal, so she is using it. To talk to other people. With their own journals. Supposedly it's 'magic' but Emma has her doubts. Magic isn't real. Neither are curses and happy endings. ]

Hi. [ Best conversation starter ever. ] Can someone please explain to me what the hell is going on here? I keep hearing things about magic and castles and god knows what else--just, I need someone who isn't ten years old with an overactive imagination to enlighten me here.

However, mention anything about Evil Queens or curses and I reserve every right to throw this damn book into the fire. [ And punch you. But she'll keep that part to herself. ]

Comments

[fluthlu]

[How's "fourteen years old and precocious" for you, Emma?]

I'm afraid any correct answer you'll receive is going to be thoroughly doused in magic, castles, and a healthy slice of "god knows what else."

[changethings]

[ NOT ALL THAT BETTER. ]

You're joking. [ A beat. ] Please tell me you're joking.

[fluthlu]

My deepest condolences.

[Just tellin' it like it is!]

[heloise]

Shall I start by saying welcome?

[changethings]

If you want, go ahead.

[heloise]

Well then, welcome.

And how active is one's imagination allowed to be?

[spongetastic]

You don't have to use the word "magic", but that's how a lot of people like to explain things that happen around here.

But we are in a castle. There's really no other word for the building.

[changethings]

Oh, so it's not magic? [ Excuse her while she gives Henry a look. ]

Yeah, that much I figured.

[spongetastic]

The scientist types like to call it an alternate dimension.

[rogueofheart]

[Doing the math. A solar sweep is 2.17 Earth years. Multiply that by her six and a half solar sweeps... OH GOOD SHE CAN ANSWER THIS.]

You're in luck! I haven't heard a single thing about any evil queens here. [Which is actually a relief for Nepeta, as well.]

[changethings]

That makes my day just so much better.

[rogueofheart]

Glad I could help! Is there anything else that you would like to know about?

[littlearrow]

What's wrong with being ten? [Or six for that matter.]

[changethings]

Nothing, noting at all.

[littlearrow]

It's really a magical castle! It teleports people here.

[chippedcup]

...Well, I would hope there are no Evil Queens around here. But curses... [That sounds familiar.]

Do you know Henry? [Is it common for new people to arrive together?]

[changethings]

[ Oh, honey, you've been listening to Henry haven't you. ]

Yeah, he's my kid. [ And currently in the same room as her. ]

[chippedcup]

[Yes, she has. Not that he made any sense, but...]

Well, it's good that you arrived with him to make sure he's all right at the castle. Some children here...don't have any family.

My name's Belle, by the way.

[unnaturalpause]

The journal will only come back to you, unharmed, if you throw it into the fire. I would not suggest doing so unless you like an exercise in futility.

[James is feeling sort of helpful right now. Yup.]

[changethings]

Maybe, but it'll make me feel a hell of a lot better. [ She already has experienced the journal's shenanigans, as it followed her all the way to Henry's room once she ditched it. ]

[unnaturalpause]

That I can understand fully. [Smashing wine bottles made him feel better when Nikola ticked him off after all.] Have others told you about liquids seeping through the pages of the journal?

Dictated forever

[whichwayyoulean]

Well, apparently we're all captives of a magical castle.

I still think this is some sort of collective insanity, but people seem to really want to buy the magic thing.

[changethings]

You're the first person I've heard make sense all day. [ Congratulations, you win NOTHING. ]

[fantasies]

[HEY MOM. Your kid is bouncing on the bed.

Every time you make a face at him he is making a face right back what.]

[changethings]

[ Oh my god, why are you so bouncy she hasn't even given you any sugar yet. ]

Stop that.