[action]

[runawayalot]

[Just because there's no ball at the moment doesn't mean the Viridian Pavilion isn't in use: Laura has raided the nearby (and conveniently abandoned) Baby the Stars Shine Bright boutique and is currently dressed in her princessly best (if a little baggily; the dresses are not made for children) and has assembled a cat, a turtwig, and an oddish (

Comments

[action]

[lovelikelight]

Hello, Laura. [Epsilon walks toward her, with a smile.]

This looks like fun. It's been a while since I've been to a tea party. Would you mind if I joined you?

Re: [action]

[runawayalot]

[She makes a show of hesitating.] ...I guess you can. But you gotta dress up first. It's the rule.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

Of course. If that's the rule, I'll have to follow it. Where did you find your clothes?

That's a lovely dress.

Re: [action]

[runawayalot]

There's a place with them this way. [She hops up and takes Epsilon's hand, tugging her in the direction of the Baby boutique] C'mon!

[action]

[lovelikelight]

All right. [Epsilon keeps up without trouble as Laura leads her to the boutique.]

Oh--I've seen this place before, but I hadn't thought to go inside.

Re: [action]

[runawayalot]

It's not locked and there's nobody around. [Which means everything is free!] Everything's really pretty.

[action]

[lovelikelight]

[In the real world, Epsilon would not go along with that logic, but things are different here. The usual rules do not apply.] Sometimes people return home and leave the things they made behind. I'm sure they'd want others to enjoy them, after they're gone. But I would be careful to check that no one else owns things first, if you're not sure.

It is a beautiful store. I usually don't wear dresses. Do you like dresses better than pants?

[runawayalot]

[Technically, neither would Laura. Which is why she is also Borrowing things instead of outright taking them. Yet. She huffs and rolls her eyes at the gentle scolding.] I know, I know...

um... they're both OK. You're not s'posed to wear a dress if you're climbing, though. [Sotto voce] They show your panties!

[She searches through the available racks with a businesslike determination.]

[lovelikelight]

I'm sure you do. I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. [She is quite sincere in this.] If you find that there's something else you need, you can even make it yourself.

That's very true, and I know you like climbing. Pants are more practical sometimes.

[Epsilon waits patiently for Laura to make her selection.]

[runawayalot]

You mean the dirt?

I'm the best climber in the Center. [This, while an important fact, is merely conversation while she looks for a suitable dress for Epsilon. She finally picks out something Epsilon would totally wear normally and passes it over.] Here you go!

[lovelikelight]

That's right. You can use it to make almost anything you know from your world. Including jungle gyms.

[Epsilon smiles. She doesn't seem to mind the very uncharacteristic garment in the least.] Thank you. I'll put it on. [She slips into the dressing room and reemerges shortly. In the dress, it's easy to see the seams at her joints, especially at her neck, wrists, and knees. Her usual clothes are folded over her arm.] Do you think I'm ready to attend the party now?

[runawayalot]

[Her head zips up, full attention] Can it make people?

[And now there's a new amazing thing to check out.] What's that stuff on your skin? Is it scars? [She moves in, reaching to touch the seams, then remembers her manners soon enough to freeze and glance up.]

[lovelikelight]

No, it can't make people, only objects and places that you remember.

[Epsilon doesn't seem at all bothered, continuing to smile.] They're seams. I was made with them. I'm a robot.

[runawayalot]

...oh. [Big disappointment.] I don't have anything I want to make, then. I got what I want. [She folds her hands over her chest. There's a very quiet crinkle of paper.]

[And now there is a very interesting distraction from that!] Nuh-uh! You can't be a robot! [She's going to poke at the seams anyway, though.] Robots are metal and have laser eyes and stuff.

[lovelikelight]

Sometimes people from our own worlds do show up here. I've met some people whose friends or relatives are with them. [She asks with gentle curiosity:] What is it that you want?

[She laughs.] Some robots are like that, you're right, but I was made to look like a human. [She doesn't mind Laura poking at her seams.] I don't have laser eyes, but I can give off light. [She does so, all her exposed body lighting up, but not too brightly, not enough to hurt anyone's eyes.]

[runawayalot]

She's not gonna come here. [Laura is confident of this fact, unfortunate as it may be. She steps back at the question, crossing her arms tighter and clamming up.]

[Holy shit Epsilon you are glowy!!! That is amazing!!!]

Laser eyes are cooler.