[text] [audio]

[eldesthatter]

[The message is hand written, but you can hear to sound of it being written down on paper.]

To do:

1. Order one hundred yards of pink ribbon, three boxes of feathers, at least one bundle of lace.

2. Make sure Lettie and Martha clean their room before Friday.

3. Ask Fanny about the budget this week.

4. Visit the book shop?

[You can hear her scribbling out the fourth item and sighing heavily.]

No. Not today I think.

[Other voices can be heard, though they are faint. Perhaps calling from another room.]

Oh Sophie! Come look! Howl's Castle is coming into view!

Here to steal another heart perhaps? [Sophie is muttering as her footsteps echo off into the distance.]

Comments

[notmyfirstrodeo]

I don't blame you. Friends or family?

[eldesthatter]

My sisters.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

Ah. Yeah, I can understand you wanting to keep them out of it. They community ought to mostly affect you, unless it decides to draft them as members too. Hopefully they stay off its radar though.

But even if they do, there's a lot of us on here. We all manage, one way or another. People also seem fairly keen on helping each other.

[eldesthatter]

If it's me...then perhaps it won't be a problem.

Hopefully they will be safe.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

I hope so too. But I'm sure they will.

[eldesthatter]

...Thank you.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

Nothing to thank me for, Miss. Though if you find yourself needing help, well, I'm sure Ingary might be a bit out of SHIELD's jurisdiction, we're still in the business of helping. When we can. [When it doesn't conflict with KEEPING THE WORLD SAFE]

[eldesthatter]

Shield?

[notmyfirstrodeo]

The organization I work for.

[eldesthatter]

I see.

Thank you for your offer, sir.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

You're welcome. But in all honesty, we're keeping an eye on this network already. The fact that it can so easily reach multiple worlds and multiple times is... a little worrisome in some aspects.

[eldesthatter]

Yes...I could see why.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

But in all honesty, there really are a lot of good people involved.

[eldesthatter]

Are there?

I suppose...well, I mean that's good then.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

It is. Take your bright sides where you can.

[eldesthatter]

I suppose so.

Could I have your name, sir? In case I need your help later?

[notmyfirstrodeo]

Of course. The name is Coulson.

[eldesthatter]

Then thank you, Mister Coulson.

...my name is Sophie. Sophie Hatter.

[notmyfirstrodeo]

You're welcome, Miss Hatter. It's a pleasure to meet you, despite the circumstances.

[eldesthatter]

Oh?

Yes, and you as well.