05

[takethat]

[What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been! And now, suddenly having this shiny new journal ready and waiting to be chickenscratched in, it doesn't really look like things are planning to slow down any time soon. After all, this place doesn't ever do anything without a reason, so Phoenix is coming to understand--even if that reason is "to mess with you."

He opens the new journal slowly (having always sort of savored the sound of cracking a book's spine for the first time), thinks a moment, and then writes the first thing that comes to mind in huge letters that take up the whole first page.]

I GOT MY BIKE BACK!

Comments

written forever

[takethat]

Thank you! I used to get around everywhere with this bike back home, so I feel kind of... free, or something.

[heloise]

This bike, is it similar to a carriage?

[takethat]

Um, well, they're similar in that they both have wheels! Bikes have two wheels, and people can sit on them and make them go forward by moving pedals with their feet.

[heloise]

Pedals and wheels. May I come and see this contraption?

[takethat]

Oh--sure, if you want! You can ride on it too if you like.

[heloise]

Can I? You must show me how to operate it.

[takethat]

Sure! Any time. But-- [A pause.]

Well, when I came here, the castle took away my voice. So I can show you how to ride a bike, but I won't be much good at explaining it.

[heloise]

Your voice? [ What a horrible thing to take away. ]

Well then, I shall try and mimic what you do.

[takethat]

Sounds like a plan. I'll try to be a good teacher.