001 ❦ Text (Backdated to before the party)

[butterflymilk]

You know, I don't think this letter makes sense. I mean, if Thneedville was made to have never existed, wouldn't I not remember it? Or even be here? I kind of skimmed it, so I'm not sure. I can keep records, though, if that's important. I actually did some looking around after I woke up here, so I have things to write about!

Like bees! All the plants were really cool, too, but we're starting to get more of those back home. No real bees yet, though, so that was exciting!

Oh, and there are other people here too, right? I'm Audrey, and it'll be nice to meet you guys!

Comments

[ text ]

[yolonceler]

[Thneedville.

The Once-ler's heart is going to stop. Oh, no. God, no. This is someone from his world, someone that knows what he's done, how terrible he is, and she's going to tell everyone, and he's going to lose all his friends, he's going to lose Rapunzel, and his perfect little life here will shatter, and -

Alright. Be calm.]

You know about Thneedville?

[His handwriting is messy, almost illegible.]

[butterflymilk]

Yeah! I've lived there my whole life!

I guess you're from there, too?

[yolonceler]

[Wait. What? His handwriting neatens slightly.]

Thneedville hasn't been built yet, we've barely started laying the foundation.

[butterflymilk]

My parents were born there, too, though.

What do you mean by 'we', anyway?

[yolonceler]

I mean "they".

Hey, listen, I've never run into someone from my world here! Do you think we can talk in person, maybe?

[Christ, he has to keep this as far off the network as he can.]

[butterflymilk]

Um, sure, yeah! Where should we meet?

[She thinks he must be crazy, but that's okay!]

[yolonceler]

[They need to be somewhere private.



Wow, that sounds creepy.]

How about the library? It's on your map.

voice!

[70ftandcounting]

Thneed? That's --

[Oncie!]

I think you know someone I do!

[butterflymilk]

Oh, yeah? That's really cool! Who is it?

[70ftandcounting]

It -- is!

[Cool? Slang - must be. She's heard that one before.]

Oh, he's my boyfriend!

[butterflymilk]

Neat! I didn't think there'd be anyone from Thneedville here, with ominous letter and stuff.

[70ftandcounting]

[She giggles, but it's a little uncertain.]

Yes. It's a very...strange thing to be here, isn't it? It'll be good to know you aren't alone. I can introduce you later, if you like!

[butterflymilk]

Yeah, I guess it kinda is strange... And sure, we can do that.

Who are you?

[missmimmi]

That... was not quite what it meant by worlds being destroyed, but no matter. I am glad to see you are taking this better than others.

[butterflymilk]

Oh. What did it mean, then?

Thanks! [She's actually pretty concerned about folks from home, but she's not really the type to dwell in sadness.] I'm glad, too, I guess.

[missmimmi]

That it is simply gone, that is all.

[Pause.]

Anyway, I am Mimmi and it is very nice to meet you, Audrey.

[butterflymilk]

Oh.

Well, is the letter right?




And it's nice to meet you, too, Mimmi! Sorry, I just-- Huh.

[missmimmi]

It more than likely is. I'm sorry.

[butterflymilk]

But...

It can't just be gone.

text

[thii2ii22tupiid]

the bee2 here are u2ele22.

[butterflymilk]

Bees aren't useless. They pollinate flowers.

[thii2ii22tupiid]

they're u2ele22 compared two the bee2 ii had back home. and all the honey doe2 ii2 ta2te 2weet. u2ele22.

*He still tends to them every so often, though.*

[butterflymilk]

Wait, what do your bees back home do, then?

[thii2ii22tupiid]

compute.

[butterflymilk]

Oh.

That's not as exciting as I was hoping, really.