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?

voice!

[70ftandcounting]

Thneed? That's --

[Oncie!]

I think you know someone I do!

[yolonceler]

[Wait. What? His handwriting neatens slightly.]

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

[butterflymilk]

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

[butterflymilk]

My parents were born there, too, though.

What do you mean by 'we', anyway?

[70ftandcounting]

It -- is!

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

Oh, he's my boyfriend!

[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]

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]

Um, sure, yeah! Where should we meet?

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

[butterflymilk]

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

Who are you?

[yolonceler]

[They need to be somewhere private.



Wow, that sounds creepy.]

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

[70ftandcounting]

Oh! I'm sorry, my name is Rapunzel.

[butterflymilk]

Hey, cool name!

[70ftandcounting]

Really? You like it?

[butterflymilk]

Oh, cool, I wanted to stop by there anyway! I'll be right there!

[butterflymilk]

I do! It's pretty.

[70ftandcounting]

Well....thank you! That's very sweet of you.

...What's yours?

[butterflymilk]

I'm Audrey.

[yolonceler]

I'll see you there.

[And with that, he runs to the library - which isn't a good idea, considering his physique, but he wants to be there first. He sits on one of the desks to catch his breath, obsessively adjusting his lapels and tie to perfection. The Once-ler needs to look good, he needs to look recognizable, and he needs to keep himself from fainting, because he has never been more frightened in his entire life.]

[70ftandcounting]

That's really pretty. It's nice to meet you, Audrey!

[butterflymilk]

Heh, thanks! So... Have you been here a long time?

[70ftandcounting]

I've been here over a year, yes!

[butterflymilk]

[Audrey, on the other hand, is in no rush. She is also a bit easy to distract right now because, hey, she's excited. Definitely worried about Ted and everyone else back home, but she's trying hard not to dwell.

Anyway, the point is that it takes her a few minutes to get to the library. When she does, well... Cue confusion.

He looks about right, if she imagines how Mister Once-ler would look if he were younger. More importantly, she recognizes the suit. It's... Weird. Even for her, which is saying something. It does explain what he wrote, though. Still... For the moment, her mixed feelings about the old man who destroyed and then helped save the trees are put on the backburner as she just tries to process this.]

...Mister Once-ler?