flickerflash | [Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

[Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

[And this early evening, the journal will pick up the sound of one small British girl muttering to herself.]

Well, this is very rude. It didn't snow last autumn, you know. I think I ought to complain.

[Huff. Followed by a small ow, barely heard. And silence. Then finally:]

Oh! [And the journal is picked up finally. Because you, the townsfolk, should know the answer to this question. Clearly.] Did we get visited by aliens in the night? I think I've been experimented on. [Okay, that is totally the best thing ever.] I hope they looked like Elvis clones.

Has anyone seen my cat?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's actually opening up again from the long break on this coming Monday. So you're right on time.

[Oh dangit. She scowls.] Does that mean I missed all the Christmas holidays and Autumn? I shall have to have words.

I'm afraid so, Katie. It will have to be made up to you somehow.

In that case, I shall have to come up with a list of demands. [Intriguing.] Do you think the scientists would give me a neverending box of Skittles?

Probably not, but it never hurts to ask.

Can you tell me where you aren't? I'd like to see you. [In the hopes that she will actually say where she is so she can try and meet her.]

[She goes to answer, realises what Raine said, and actually giggles.]

Well, I'm definitely not in the forest. No houses to be seen anywhere nearby, either. Would you like me to come and see you?

I don't have any skittles, so I hope that cocoa and cookies won't make a suitable substitute.

Oh, that's a terrible substitute. [Her eyes light up.] Where are you?

You definitely won't find me at home.

[But all teasing aside:] ... are you sure you'll be able to get here all right?

[It is a cold day after all.]

Well, I might drown in snow before I get there. I shall try not to freeze. [She doesn't seem particularly perturbed, however.]

Well, if you take too long, I'll try looking for you. [But she figures there are more important people she'd rather visit first.]

[You'd be surprised how far up the list cookies and cocoa will take you. Katie stops in just long enough to see Katara, and then she'll be knocking a little timidly on Raine's door. It's sort of like going to see your teacher after class.]

[It doesn't take Raine long to respond to the knock, as she moves from the kitchen area to open the door for her. And will first take a careful look to make sure that the girl is bundled up properly in lieu of the weather.]

Ah, there you are. Please, come right inside, Katie.

[She seems to have borrowed Katara's coat, by the looks of things, huddled up to her nose in comfy fleecy parka, but she scuttles in out of the cold the second she's invited.]

Thank you. Hello.

It's good to see you.

[By the look of that, she's still in the need of proper clothes. Hmm. In any case, Raine will lead her away from the draft and further in to get settled in the living room, which is fairly warm and cozy.

... At least, it probably will seem more that way once Raine leaves the room to get the promised treats, and poor Katie won't have to deal with that water. Oops. At least it's currently not as bad as usual.]

[As a child, Raine's water has always been somewhat distracting, but at least she's not in danger of being swamped by it. Katie will happily slosh through it in order to get inside, because despite that feeling of damp around her ankles it is much warmer.

That being said, she'll sit right back on one of the sofa chairs so her feet are off the ground-- and mostly resist kicking her toes into water that nobody else can see. And wait patiently.]

[It won't be long before Raine returns with the promised treats and cocoa on a tray, and she brings it over to sit on the coffee table, before holding out a cup toward Katie.]

Here you go. That should warm you right up.

Thank you very much. [One is always properly polite to teachers, especially if they are bringing you cocoa. Katie inhales that delicious aroma and sighs contentedly.] I suppose winter is good for some things, after all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Accidental Voice -> Deliberate Voice]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]

[ voice ]