[011].

[weepiperlad]

[There's a young boy hunting in the forest, cautiously creeping along from tree to tree while he tracks his prey. He's dressed in clothes which are far too large for him, and happen to look suspiciously like Jamie's kilt and a mock-neck pullover. The lad has taken the time to re-belt the kilt and adjust the pullover so things aren't in the way or falling off altogether, but he still looks a wee bit ridiculous.

The creature he's stalking may also be suspiciously familiar looking - at least to a few people. It's a cinnamon-colored ferret, who is bounding through the forest with a complete lack of concern over the lad following him. It, or, well, he, is wearing a collar with a name tag that reads 'Trouble'. He actually seems quite pleased with himself, since he's getting to roam around and play unsupervised.

The lad, though, appears to be very serious about this hunting. So much so that he seems remarkably blase about the place he finds himself in. Of course, it could just be possible he hasn't really noticed it yet...]

[In true wibbly wobbly timey-wimey fashion, Jamie's experiment has started. Feel free to assume the ferret wanders off somewhere if you don't want to deal with it.]

Comments

[hisoldgirl]

[almost mechanically] Because you are a child and should not be.

[weepiperlad]

[His mouth pulls off to one side.] Hey, I'll have ye know I'm nearly eleven. Or, I will be in a few months, anyway.

[As far he's concerned, that is a perfectly fine age, and he doesn't know any differently. But he doesn't stay cross long, and soon enough, his curiosity starts to take over again.] What was that light thing ye used on me just now?

[hisoldgirl]

So you are a child. [she does not understand the distinction]

A biometric scanner. It informs me of your basic biological data: age, species, organ function, general health.

[weepiperlad]

[Oh, that's just like an adult to think that - even if it's an adult who can somehow appear out of thin air. But he somehow gets the idea that it's pointless to try and argue that point any further, so he lets her think what she wants there.]

Oh, aye, that. But why use it on me?

[hisoldgirl]

Because you are not what you should be.

[weepiperlad]

Oh. [He thinks about that for a few minutes. He feels fine, and doesn't think there's anything wrong, not really, but the ghost-y lady seems very certain.] Is it something ye can fix?

[hisoldgirl]

[she doesn't answer immediately, then] No.

[weepiperlad]

[Ah. Well, he'll just not worry about it, then.] Suppose I'll get bigger eventually anyway. Hey, can I see more of this place instead, maybe?

[hisoldgirl]

Of course. [lights line up in a pathway off to the right, leading down a corridor] Do not stray from the path.

[weepiperlad]

[Jamie's eyes go wide at the lights, but more in a fascinated sort of way than in surprise. He's about to start down the path, but stops at her words.]

Why not?

[hisoldgirl]

[the air around him hums, almost like laughter]

You would not want to get lost.

[weepiperlad]

Och, I'll not get lost.

[But as starts to walk, he can see just how big the place actually is, and thinks better of what he's said.]

Aye, well, maybe I'll stick to the path after all.

[And, surprisingly, he does. It doesn't stop any of the sense of wonder he has at seeing the place. And later, once the experiment's over and he's himself again, he makes a note to thank her for it the next time he sees her on the Plane.]