page two

[fantasies]

[Guess who's a pro at this journal thing by now? That's right, Henry is. Magic 1 "Real World" 0.]

Sooo... is that normal? The changing worlds thing. Because it didn't seem like you guys were that surprised by it, but I always thought it was a big deal to go between worlds like that.

I mean, I didn't mind. Summer camp is great! I wish I got to go more often.

[And by "more often" he means "ever."

There's a pause, then hurriedly, like he forgot:]

Oh, yeah! And is there a lost and found somewhere? I'm looking for something.

Comments

[cyan_maid]

I personally think it's very jarring, to be pulled from place to place! But everyone else says it's normal.

I'm not sure about a lost and found. What did you lose?

[starhipped]

I haven't experienced it very often, so I thought it was a big deal too! Especially since it was home for some people!

[Almost wistfully.]

I'd never been to summer camp before.

[Okay, Esther, time to focus!]

Ah, what is it that you lost? Maybe I can help?

[fantasies]

My book. It's big, with lots of pictures. It's really important that I get it back.

[fantasies]

Oh, I didn't know it was somebody's home. That's weird, I didn't think the castle wanted us to go home....

[A pause. He's thinking deep kid thoughts. -- And then he realizes she asked him a question.]

But, uh, I lost my book! I usually have it with me all the time, but I think it might've gotten lost somewhere.

[starhipped]

Me either! Still, someone I met there said that they went to camp there every summer with their siblings!

[A book? Hmm.]

Is it a special book? I've seen lots of books here! But I'm not sure.. what does yours look like?

[fantasies]

Huh. Did they come back here, do you know?

[Oh, yeah, he should probably be more specific.]

Yeah. Well, it's important, anyway. It's big, with lots of pictures. It's about fairy tales.

[starhipped]

Oh! I .. am not sure. I should probably find out..

[That's a good question. She doesn't know!]

Big, with lots of pictures? I'll be sure to keep an eye out for it, but I can't say I've seen it! Is it very important to you?

dictated

[sometimesbeth]

What are you looking for?

[cyan_maid]

Did you check the library? Perhaps someone picked it up and put it there. If so, I really hope not, because the library is supposed to be huge.

Is there anything specific about it that makes it different from other books? A certain picture on the cover perhaps, or a mark? Perhaps a name or message written inside of it?

[fantasies]

Yeah. I need it so I can figure something out, but it's been missing for a while.

dictated

[fantasies]

It's a book of fairy tales.

dictated

[sometimesbeth]

You can go to the library.

[fantasies]

Uh, well, it's a book of fairy tales, but there aren't any others like it. It says "Once Upon a Time" on the cover.

[A beat.]

I really hope somebody didn't put it in the library.

dictated

[fantasies]

I don't need a book. I need my book.

dictated

[sometimesbeth]

Does it have your name in it?

[spongetastic]

Yeah, it does happen a lot. Not like that exactly, but it happens.

dictated

[fantasies]

No, but it's the only one like it. I'd know it if I found it.

[fantasies]

Really? [PAUSE....] That's kind of cool!

[spongetastic]

Sometimes it is. We got to be pirates once, and another time we were taken into a comic book.

[cyan_maid]

Then your best bet is to let people know exactly what the book looks like. That way, if they know, they're more likely to know to give it to you if they find it! I know I'll keep my eyes peeled for you.

dictated

[sometimesbeth]

What does it look like?

[fantasies]

And the castle just does it? Like that? [MAGIC IS THE BEST.] Wow.

[fantasies]

Okay! I'll make sure. [And he will! This is Serious Business.] Thanks.

dictated

[fantasies]

It's big, with a leather cover. [Jane said to be specific!] It has a lot of pictures in it. And it says "Once Upon a Time" on the cover.

dictated forever /lazy...

[sometimesbeth]

Where did you leave it last?