#echo strange

[mosneakers]

Echo: So uh... This is it. I guess it's just.... here... existing...everything- just like we left it.

Eli: Uh-huh...

Echo: So I guess we just... trust it?

Eli: Well we don't have much of a choice, do we? This is home.

Echo: And uh... What if she finds us? The spellcaster that we escaped from? Eli: She'll have to find us first. She might have designed this life for us, but that doesn't mean she knows how to navigate it, yeah? Echo: Okay... Eli: And even if she did, we live far up in the hills, we'll be one step ahead. Echo: You know... It's possible that we've shared some sort of mutual delusion. I've read about this phenomenon once.

Eli: Delusion or not, who knows how long we've been away. We've got to make sure the animals are well.

[mosneakers]

Robin: But I need to think fast. I have just a few minutes to finish cleaning the house, so that my brother won't tell on me, and we gotta get you back soon. You and the rest of your town.

Echo: Wait... Does that mean all of our animals, and our residents, and our cottage, is all currently existing right now, in the real Henford-on-Bagley? Robin: Yes, yes. Everything I wrote in the story currently exists in the real world. And if I did the spell correctly, that will continue to be the case until I cast you all back. Okay, I have to go... I'll be back, please stay here.

Echo: Wait! I just have a quick question, sorry... um... Who were the real sims we based off of?

Echo discreetly taps Eli's elbow and points towards Robin with her eyes.

Robin: Well, Eli is based off my cousin, Coraleye. She's a spellcaster like me, and Eli is a spitting image of her, just male. And Echo is based off of a boy she was close to... Tycho, who was hopelessly in love with her. Guys, I really need to-

Eli: Wait, um... what are they like? Coraleye and Tycho? Do they also live on a cottage and farm? Robin: Heh. Absolutely not. Coraleye does love gardening though, when she has the time. Look I really have to-

Echo: That's fine. Go ahead. We'll be right here, we could use a minute to relax anyway, ha.

Robin: [scurries away]

[mosneakers]

Eli: Echo, you are brilliant, darling... Echo: Heh, thanks! [swallows] Uh, Eli? I'll need you to lift me up to the window. I'd ask if you have the upper body strength, but I already know you do. I've noticed before. Once or twice... respectfully, of course. Anyway, let's get started, shall we?

Eli: Echo, wait...

Eli pulled Echo back to him with enough force to nearly make her trip over her own feet.

Echo: Eli, what is it?

Eli: Just in case we don't make it out alive... Echo: Uh-huh?

Echo: [whispers] I really don't want to end this, but we need to go now...

[mosneakers]

Eli: What the bloody hell have we gotten ourselves into? Echo: I don't know. I'm really trying to wrap my head around everything. I... I don't have a good feeling about this.

Eli: Hey, come here. I know this is rather scary, but I'm going to keep you safe, alright?

Echo: [temporarily forgets to breathe] Uh-huh...

Echo: Look Eli, I think we can escape from this basement. There's a window up there. Eli: That sounds-

Echo: I know, but did you hear her? If everything she said was true, we'd stop existing if she ever stopped writing her book. If we got out now, the cottage would still be there.

Eli: But once she realizes that we escaped, all she'd have to do is flick her wand or whatever and cast us back. It won't work.

Echo: Actually... If I remember correctly, she did mention that she needed us in the middle of a circle or something to complete the spell. Something about us being the connection. If we're lucky, we can escape to the real Henford-on-Bagley, and everyone we know will be there, as well as our cottage, and we'll live happily ever after or whatever. So long as she doesn't find us, of course...

[mosneakers]

Finch: Well, we have a deal don't we? What are you waiting for?

Robin: Yeah, I'll be right behind you. Just gonna clear up some of this stuff, heh. Finch: Whatever you say. You have 15 minutes if you want me to stay quiet. The clock is ticking.

Eli and Echo, both trembling around the corner, held each other close and listened as Finch left the room. Shortly after Robin frantically approached them.

Robin: So hi, I'm Robin. I don't have long so I'll have to make this quick. I'm sure you have some questions.

[mosneakers]

Echo: Well Papa, I did it. I made it all the way out to this magical little world of Henford-On-Bagley, and unpacked all my belongings, all before sunset! I know it's not much to write home about, but I know you'd be proud of me. You always were.

[mosneakers]

Some little screenies of Echo's cottage 🥰🐰

[mosneakers]

Eli: First stop, Hoppity Hollow. The rabbits are my biggest helpers. I've got quite a few of them.

Echo: Well where are they?

Eli: Have a seat, they'll emerge from their tree stump when they hear me talking.

Echo: I don't believe it.

Eli: Well, see for yourself! Meet Pepper, Clover, Acorn, Bunsley, and Carrot Cake.