smoke signal 15: video

[charring]

This was the last thing I expected when I woke up this morning.

[There is a girl about 11 years old staring into the video with an annoyed look on her face. For anyone that's known Charlie long enough, they might recognize the big blue eyes or at least think they were familiar.

Anyway, the child speaking is outside somewhere. Possibly wandering Xanadu like she's searching for something important. And she looks worried.]

I really hope this is just a physical change and not a mental one. [It is just a bit, but not the way she's thinking.] Otherwise, oh man is this going to be interesting.

[A pause.]...I almost wish my dad was here. This is kinda scary.

Comments

[punchedhitler]

Do you need me to come get you?

[charring]

...could you? I really don't like any of this.

[Ffff it sucks being eleven.]

[punchedhitler]

I'll be right there.

[charring]

Okay. I'm...surrounded by butterflies, sitting on a bench. [That's the path she chose. And she'll be waiting patiently, watching everyone that passes that doesn't look familiar with probably the most severely suspicious look ever.]

[punchedhitler]

[It takes him a little while to find her, but when he does he's a little surprised. She's so small]

...Charlie?

[charring]

[Small and a bit round but at this age, it's still baby fat. And her hair's different, too. Hasn't darkened yet and a bit wild with curls. When she spots Steve, she visibly relaxes and hurries over, grinning.]

Hello.

[punchedhitler]

You just woke up like this?

[He kneels down so he's at eye level with her]

[charring]

[She nods, shifting from one foot to the other a bit nervously.] I did. I woke up and went to get breakfast but everything was bigger so I went into the bathroom and had to climb onto the sink to see myself in the mirror.

This is ridiculous.

[punchedhitler]

Did you manage to eat, at least?

[charring]

[Sheepishly.] I had an apple.

[punchedhitler]

[Okay, that's not enough. He stands]

Come on, I'll take you to the diner I usually eat at.

[charring]

[She was afraid to touch the stove and was pretty sure the fridge didn't have milk. Plus, apparently older her doesn't do breakfast that often. There weren't even any poptarts.]

Okay. [Pauses and then holds her hand out. Universal small-child-ese for 'lead the way.']

[punchedhitler]

[He takes her hand - this isn't very comfortable for either of them, so finally he picks her up and puts her on his shoulders]

I think this might be easier.

[charring]

[She's fine with that. She can see everything now. And everyone. That's very important. She was quite paranoid at this age.]

Do you think I'll be this sized for long?

[punchedhitler]

A day, maybe?

[charring]

[She can handle that. And she looks a bit happier to hear this. Joking, she looks down at Steve.] I'm not heavy, am I?

[punchedhitler]

[He laughs]

No.

[charring]

[YAY SHE GOT A LAUGH!]

What's your favorite thing to get at the restaurant? Do they have hashbrowns? I love those the best.

[punchedhitler]

Pancakes, really.

[charring]

What do you like on them? I like apples.

[Yes, she did talk this much as a kid.]

[punchedhitler]

[He doesn't seem to mind]

Maple syrup. The real stuff.