labyrinthum Inbox

[madcuriosity]

INBOX Text / Voice / Video / Action "Hello and how do you do? This is Alice Liddell! I'm terribly sorry, but I'm afraid you just missed me. Please leave your message and I'll be as quick as I can, even as quick as a white rabbit, to get back to you!" code credit

Comments

[cheapdivorce]

You remember the wolves getting attacked by an elusive artist?

[Audrey, she doesn't know what those are.]

[madcuriosity]

Elusive... you mean the paint creature?

[cheapdivorce]

Yeah. Turns out that's what my potion lets me transform into. I had to lead the wolves on a whole chase sequence, so I didn't get to see how you were doing by the time I got home.

[madcuriosity]

Goodness! Ms. Audrey! That was so brave of you to fight off the wolves!

[cheapdivorce]

Hey, I wasn't about to let them drag off a whole bunch of kids. [She lets out a soft "oof" sound as she strains herself to grab a piece of cake for breakfast.] Besides, I didn't have to fight them all. Turns out all that paint's pretty useful for a distraction.

[madcuriosity]

That was a very interesting creature, Ms. Audrey, is that something from your world? Are there many paint creatures where you're from?

[cheapdivorce]

[..."her world," huh? What does that count as, now? She decides to just go with the easy answer.]

Yeah. There might be some other creatures like it, but that's the only type I ever met personally. [Once again, she thinks about how Klara would probably know more.] And honestly once was enough.

[madcuriosity]

What is the name of that animal? Is the paint part of the animal or does it gather it?

[cheapdivorce]

It's called an elusive artist, since normally it uses the paint to make everything around it all pink-and-yellow polkadots so it can hide. And it makes the paint itself. Although I guess I could use other paint colors too if I wanted.

[madcuriosity]

Well, that does make sense, I suppose, that it's called that. Do they come in any other colors? Like the way a tiger can be orange and black and white and black? Or are they only pink and yellow?

[cheapdivorce]

Only ever seen them in pink and yellow. Klara-my sister-would probably know more. [There's a slight hitch in her voice as she brings up Klara, and since Alice can't see, she actually sets aside her device for a moment to rub her nose slowly as the memories come back.]

[madcuriosity]

Miss Audrey? Are you still there?

[cheapdivorce]

[She takes a deep breath before picking the phone back up.]

Yeah. Just had to take a break for a moment. [Her voice is steady again. She doesn't want to think about Klara more. Not until she can do it somewhere more private.]

[madcuriosity]

If you're not feeling well or are suddenly sleepy, a nap may help, Miss Audrey. Those always help me.

[cheapdivorce]

Heh. [That gets a chuckle out of her.] I'm well rested enough, kid, no need to worry on that front. Pretty sure I just need a bigger breakfast than I just had. [Maybe something with more protein, to help with the blood loss.]

[madcuriosity]

You could have what I always have for breakfast: sausages, preserves, bacon and eggs, served with bread rolls. It's very hardy. [She means hearty.]

[cheapdivorce]

Man, that does sound nice. You've got good taste, kid.

[madcuriosity]

Oh, ah, thank you! I don't make it, mind you, but it was what we had every morning before daddy went to teach.

[cheapdivorce]

[Well, that makes sense, if she actually had her parents around. That's one thing parents are supposed to do, right?]

Well then, you know anyone here who makes it? Or the separate parts, I guess, I can always collect and assemble them myself. DIY it a bit.

[madcuriosity]

The parts I believe you can get from the market. What does "DIY" mean?

[cheapdivorce]

Do it yourself. Mostly it's for stuff like assembling furniture or big plumbing projects, but really I think it should also count for cooking.

[madcuriosity]

Why... would you need to assemble your own furniture? Are you a carpenter?

[cheapdivorce]

Not a professional or anything, but sometimes it's just cheaper. [And sometimes you fuck up and the medical and repair bills are worse.] Don't need to deal with fitting stuff through the door either if you assemble it inside.

[madcuriosity]

I... see... [She doesn't, actually, but she supposes this is one of the many "adult" things she doesn't understand.] So you grow your own food inside your house? Isn't that just a farm?

[cheapdivorce]

Huh? Oh man, I don't mean that much doing it yourself. Just getting the ingredients and putting them together myself, you know?