*There's a small PUFF of smoke, that clears swiftly. When it clears, a dark eyed little girl, in a floofy dress, is standing there, holding the letter and looking around in fascination.* Hello? -Shadow--anon
*Elsie is looking at her phone and leaning on Ambrose. To a 6 year old girl she’d probably look a little menacing. Ambrose is reading and occasionally shifting to get comfortable with Elsie next to him. When they hear the voice Elsie drops her phone and looks at the child in suprise. Ambrose slowly closes the book and he looks at the note in her hands*
…hi kiddo? Uh who are- -Elsie
I thought you said that Shadow girl was… At least a teenager? -Ambrose
Wait… You’re shadow? -Elsie
*They both sit up and Ambrose gestures to the note*
Holy shi- -Elsie*Ambrose slaps a hand across her mouth*
Not in front of a kid - Ambrose
Shadow blinks up at them, waving and smiling brightly. Somehow, she seems… completely unintimidated! How bizzare.
“’llo! I’m Shadow, who’re you? You’re pretty, I like your hair!”
(…Shadow. Shadow PLEASE just go home. Oh gods why me.)
*Elsie and Ambrose just kinda stare at Shadow for a few seconds before Ambrose clears his throat*
Uh hi Shadow. I’m Ambrose and this is my partner Elsie. She dyed her hair herself and helped me with mine! -Ambrose
*he ran a hand through his blue hair and poked Elsie’s head to get her to register*
Oh uh thanks munchkin! Yeah dyed it mself. Soooo you… Teleported here? Right? And I’ve sent you letters befooore? -Elsie
Shadow nods, chewing on one of her fingers. “Yuh-huh. You have? I don’ remember gettin’ any other letters before- I just woke up in this really cool room, it’s like, covered in pillows an’ stuff! It’s like a giant pillow fort!”
*Elsie looks like she’s got her bearings and moves over to sit on the edge of the bed. Ambrose frowns when she says she’s never recieved a letter and he gets a far off look for a second*
Uh huh… Wow cool! Pillow forts are awesomeeeeee right? …do you by any chance have an older sister or brother? Who can also do cool ass-sssszzz heck magic? -Elsie
Shadow thinks for a moment, tilting her head. “Nnnooo. I mean- I have Mira, she’s kinda my sister! But she’s not really older than me.”
Ah wow interesting… Anyone else who lives with you? -Elsie
*Ambrose looks like he’s still thinking over whatever the fuck is going on since they still don’t know what an M!A is*
Shadow perks up. “Oh! There’s a lady who’s talking in my head. She’s weird though, all she’s been doing for the past ten minutes is saying bad words and complaining about ‘stupid magic’.”
*Elsie looks at Ambrose and back at shadow*
Oh okay….. Uh could you ask the lady if uh…. She knows me maybe? -Elsie
*Ambrose knits his eyebrows and continues to think about what the heck happened with this new information*
Shadow nods, head tilting. “Miss voice? Do you know miss Elsie?”
(…Yes. Tell her she should text her friend Small and tell her that you have been hit with an MA.)
“Okay! What’s an MA?”
(…I’ll tell you later.)
“Okay! Miss voice says yes, and that you should text your friend Small and tell her that I’ve been hit with an MA.”
…
*Ambrose tilts his head and Elsie slowly pulls out her phone*
… Okay sounds good. Hey miss… Voice. I’m guessing you’re the person I’ve been sending letters too? -Elsie
*her text to small reads*
TO: Zomby Bethy
ey bethy some kid with a voice in her head told me that shes got hit with a ma?? lmao anyway I think its shadow but idk what tf a ma is
*Small looks up from her food and briefly takes out her phone to send a text back*
TO: SECRETLY NOT EDGY
?? Okay so you’re talking to Shadow but I think she’s been hit with an age m!a or something. Anyway does she have memories? Nevermind I’m on a date I can’t talk long. Tell little shadow I think she’s cool
*she puts her phone away and continues the date*
*she reads the text and raises her eyebrows at it but then she shows it to Ambrose who nods in understanding*
… Cool hey shadow Be- Small says you’re cool -Elsie
Shadow bounces happily. “Yay!”
(No, I’m not the one she’s been sending letters to. The one she’s been sending letters to usually can’t hear me.)
“Miss voice says she’s not the one you sent the letters to, she says that the one that gets the letters usually can’t hear you.”
Ah okay so small was a little wrong about that one thing maybe? Okay so. You are shadow. But you’re little. -Elsie
*she said that more to confirm it to herself and Ambrose nodded*
…so munchkin what ya wanna do since I’m guessing you don’t want to go back to where you were right now? -Elsie
Shadow thinks. “…Soooo… I’m not normally little then? …Cool!” Well she’s taking that remarkably well. “Is big me cool? Do I do magic? Oh my gosh, is that place I woke up my house? That’s so cool!”
*Ambrose finally clears his throat*
Actually I don’t believe we’ve ever met you in person little one. Elsie here just sent you letters with these magic marbles she shouldn’t have -Ambrose
*Elsie glared at Ambrose and looked back at Shadow*
Oh shush yourself Ambi. Yeah you can do magic and all that’s it’s cool. And yeah I’m guessing you live wherever you woke up -Elsie
You seem to be taking this… Remarkably well. Are you alright little one? -Ambrose
Shadow nods. “It’s not scary here, and miss voice says I’ll be back home in a week without even remembering that I was gone. It’s like an ‘dventure! Except bigger’n the ones I go on at home, ‘cause none of those involve real magic, just me an’ Mira pretending.”
… Yeah like an adventure! Hey munchkin wanna come up on the bed and hang out? -Elsie
*she patted the spot beside her and Ambrose smiled*
“Okay!” Shadow climbs up onto the bed, settling in next to Elsie. “You’re nice, I like you.”
aww thanks munchkin! So how’s life like kiddo? -Elsie
“Weeeell… Mira isn’t here, which’s weird, but miss voice says that’s because Mira’s busy protectin’ people. I like it here, though. It’s nice!”
Yeah it’s pretty nice right! *Elsie got an idea face* …. Actually we haven’t even explored this town. We’re actually new to this dimension…. Wanna look for a place to get food kid? You think they’d accept interdimensional Canadian dollars? -Elsie
Elsie what- -Ambrose
Ah shush we should explore -Elsie
Shadow bounces a little! “Yes! Yes yes yes, I wanna explore! Can we get burgers?”
*Elsie bounces up and off the bed and rolls on the floor landing on her feet. Ambrose sits up and gets safely off the bed, holding out a hand to help shadow off the bed. Elsie fist bumps the air*
Hell yeah! Kay kiddo let’s go find some burgers at the nearest greasy fast food place! *She grabs a nearby black leather purse and swings it on her shoulder* -Elsie
Shadow takes Ambrose’s hand, climbing down with a cheer. “Yay!”
*Elsie opens the door with a flourish and gestures for them to to through*
*sigh* so long as the place isn’t illegally run Elsie I think this will be a fun way to explore this place! -Ambrose
Oh shush those places are run by unfortunate people who just don’t have the papers. Also the fries are wonderful at the place i know you’re talking about now let’s go and find a cool placeeee -Elsie
Shadow holds onto Ambrose’s hand as she goes through the door, looking around in wide-eyed fascination.
*Elsie runs down the hallway and rides the railing down the stairs. Ambrose calmly walks down the hallway and down the stairs*
Aw come on grandma ride the railing! -Elsie
*Ambrose smiles and sighs*
Nope. Not in the mood -Ambrose
Shadow gasps, watching her ride the railing. “I wanna try, I wanna try! Can I, pleeeease?”
(Oh god you’re going to crack your tiny little skull open.)
*Elsie lands on the ground and looks up at Ambrose. Ambrose raises an eyebrow and shrugs*
So long as Elsie catches you…. Sure. Be careful okay little one? -Ambrose
“Yay!” Shadow lets go of his hand, darting to the railing and scrambling up onto it. She slides down to Elsie, laughing gleefully. “WHEEE!”
(ohgodweregoingtoDIE)
*Elsie braces herself to catch the kid and winks at Ambrose who just sighs*
Be careful! -Ambrose
Shadow slides off the banister at the end, landing in Elsie’s waiting catch, and giggles happily. “That was fun!”
(That was TERRIFYING!)
*Elsie grabs her and spins her around before setting her down*
Yeah I know right! However because of your soft lil skull you’re gonna need to be careful when you ride the railing Kay munchkin? -Elsie
*Ambrose walks down and nods*
(She’s sensible. I like her. Listen to her. No more railing riding.)
“Kaaaay. Miss voice didn’t like riding the railing anyway, I think she’s scared’a heights.” Shadow giggles a little.
Awww will don’t worry miss voice we’ll try our best to keep her safe. Now Ambri where’s the front door -Elsie
In your line of sight -Ambrose
So it is! okay let’s go!!!! -Elsie
*Elsie jumps up and runs to the door and opens it just as dramatically as the last*
Shadow giggles again, following Elsie with a grin.
*they walk a little further before Elsie jumps down to her level*
So munchkin. Which direction ya wanna go? Left or right -Elsie
Shadow thinks. “Uuuum… Left!”
*Elsie pauses for a second. Her entire outfit, including her hair, makeup, and contacts, is pink. She takes a second to glare at the sky before laughing bitterly*
Well the universe is a bitch isn’t it? -Elsie
*Ambrose hides his now lizard hands in his sweater before nervously laughing*
Oh shush it’s only pink. Now let’s go left -Ambrose
Yeah yeah alright. Life lesson munchkin. Sometimes the universe is a bitch -Elsie
*Ambrose just shrugs when Elsie starts to lead them left*
Hey little one? Don’t say that b word okay? -Ambrose
Shadow stares, then gasps gleefully. “You’re PINK!” Oh no. Oh NO. “Oh my gosh oh my gosh that’s SO COOL!” She bounces happily a moment, then follows Elsie, blinking at the words. “…Okay! …What’s a bitch?”
*Elsie looks over her shoulder*
It’s a little cool maybe? My eyes are better when they’re not pink though -Elsie
*Ambrose coughs and continues to hide his lizard hands with sweater paws*
Uhhhhhhhhh….. It’s a not very nice name that you can only use when you’re older. In the context of what Elsie said…. It’s means the universe isn’t very nice? Yeah that’s it -Ambrose
“…But it made you PINK! That’s, like, the nicest thing EVER!”
*Elsie turns all the way around and tilts her head to think*
Well I guessssssssss but it doesn’t really fit my style yknow? If everything was purple I could get behind that. -Elsie
Aw take a break edgelord -Ambrose
Not until I die -Elsie
“What’s an edgelord?” Shadow blinks up at them, chewing on her knuckles again. “Is that like a queen?”
*Elsie pauses and looks proudly at the sky before turning to Shadow with confidence that’s definitely meant for a queen*
Hell fucking yes it is. Let’s go little princess or edgelord in training and my loyal prince whatever -Elsie
*Amber would facepalm if his hands were lizardy*
“Okay!” Shadow grins happily, bouncing and starting down the sidewalk once more.
*after about five minutes of walking they reach an old looking place with a sign that says “name brand’s burgers”*
I think they’re making fun of places like Wendy’s and Mc D’s which is cool -Elsie
Wanna go in? -Ambrose
Hell yeah -Elsie
“Yeah!” Shadow bounces a moment, and runs for the door. “Come on!”
*Elsie and Ambrose run inside with shadow and are greeted by a friendly looking interior. The booths have felt seats that look like they’re cleaned regularly and it looks kinda like a mix between an old fancy restaurant and a 50s diner. There’s a menu on the wall behind the counter.
At the front is a chubby, kind looking lady with bright red hair*
Welcome to name brand’s what would ya like?
Hm. hasty market hot dog for me please and thank you and ice tea -Ambrose
uh I’ll get the Box marketing bundle with root beer. Whatchu want Shadow? -Elsie
Shadow peeeers up at Elsie. “…Am I allowed ta’ have real soda, with sugar? An’, do they have kids meals, with toys?”
Hm… Yeah why not what the hell you can have pop! Uh hey ms you got any kids meals -Elsie
*Elsie leans on the counter and the lady behind it smiles and nods*
Yepper. We got a kids combo called Mc D’s competition. It comes with a small burger, fries and a drink of the kiddos choice. And unfortunately we don’t have toys. Sorry kiddo
Aight. What pop you want kid? -Elsie
“Uuuuuuh… Pepsi!” She bounces a little, grinning. There’s slight disappointment at the lack of a toy, but she shrugs. “Okay!”
We’ll stop by a toy store and getcha something later okay? Anyway yeah that’s all! -Elsie
Alright you guys sit down it’ll be there in a sec
*Elsie grabs Shadows hand and runs to the nearest booth*
“Yay!” Shadow bounces happily, following Elsie to the booth.
(Ask for the corner seat please.)
“Can I have the corner seat? Miss Smoke wants to sit there.”
*Elsie let’s shadow go first*
Yeah that’s aight. So you having fun munchkin? After this we can find a toy store or something! -Elsie
Shadow climbs up into the booth, nodding. “It’s so cool here! And miss Smoke likes you. She says Ambrose is… Sen-see-bil. What’s that mean?”
*Ambrose smiled and snort laughs.*
Well thank you miss smoke. I’d like to think I am -Ambrose
(This Ambrose is my favorite. Smart boy.)
“I still dunno what sensible means.” Shadow chews on her knuckle idly, pulling her legs up under herself. “What’s it like being a grown up? Do you not have to worry about cooties anymore?”
Oh it means…… Knowing what choice will give the best and safest outcome -Ambrose
Coolio thesaurus rex. Anyway uhhhh we’re teechnically not adults? We’re pretty close though. In a few months we can drink! -Elsie
And uhh no not at all. Technically you don’t need to worry about them now -Ambrose
Well you do they’re just called different things and you definitely won’t get them -Elsie
*Ambrose rolls his eyes*
“Oh. Okay! …You can’t drink? Not even water?” Shadow stares up at Elsie, eyes wide.
*Elsie thinks for a second*
Nope. Not at all. If we get caught with water then the police will come an- -Elsie
Christ Elsie. Yes we can drink water and other things. But there’s something called alcohol that makes adults act… Kinda like they’ve had a lot of sugar but also really funny. Kids aren’t allowed to have it and we’re technically still kids. -Ambrose
Ya gotta admit it was funny -Elsie
Well yeah I didn’t wanna freak her out though -Ambrose
She’s alarmed until Ambrose cuts Elsie off and tells her the truth, but relaxes a little. “Oh. That’s- that’s okay then. …You /look/ like grown ups.”
I am so damn close to being an adult. I can not wait -Elsie
The concept of taking care of myself 24/7 and working towards a self made goal terrifies me to no end -Ambrose
Ah shush ya party pooper -Elsie
*she finishes her drink and food quickly*
