Dreiundzwanzig

[reluctantnanny]

I've started up morning training exercises in the park. Previously, I held them later in the day, but I believe this time will fit more people's schedules. Every day but Sunday, 7:30am, fifteen minutes of work-out and crisis evaluation & response training. Because of the weather, we will meet under the covered area. All ages are welcome. Lateness

Comments

[ergaleomancer]

I would appreciate a copy of what you have put together.

[reluctantnanny]

I'll deliver it immediately. What is your address?

[ergaleomancer]

5721 Cunningham Lane. ...Be careful on the ice.

[reluctantnanny]

Delivered safely. I shall inform you of any revisions made in the future.

My name is Germany, by the way, but I also go by Ludwig. You are..?

[ergaleomancer]

Elizabeθ Buckley. Most people here call me 'Theta' for simplicity.

Is...there a reason your name is 'Germany'? You're... [Fear.] not one of those -countries- are you?

[reluctantnanny]

I see. Well met, Theta.

[what's this now] ...I am the country of Germany, yes.

[ergaleomancer]

[A yelp of fear comes with that admission.]

G-Germany?

You're not building anything, are you? We have enough troubles without your bright ideas! [And she's panicking.]

[reluctantnanny]

What..

What are you talking about? Building? Building what? Calm down and explain.

[ergaleomancer]

I don't know what you might build. I don't care what you might build. Don't build anything!

Don't...

We don't need another... [shudder shudder]

[reluctantnanny]

I can't very well build anything while I'm stuck in this town, so your worries should end there. I still don't understand, though...

Are you...afraid of me?

[ergaleomancer]

[Yes.] No. [YES.]

I...

You're Germany of course I'm wary of the things you've done!

[reluctantnanny]

May I ask...what things you've heard?

[ergaleomancer]

You country people are personifications of the countries you represent. You -are- the country, the land, and the people in it.

And I -know- world history. German machines are all but -banned- in England, and with good reason!

[reluctantnanny]

That is correct, put simply, yes.

Miss Theta, with all due respect, I believe you're missing the point here! We've all been taken from different time periods; you must give me a clearer context, or I'll never know what you could be referring to! [It SOUNDS like she's from the same world, but something is so, so off about all this...] In the case that you may be from a time in my own future, however, I can only say that I can't be held responsible for things I haven't done yet!

[ergaleomancer]

[It sounds like he's getting angry. That just makes her panic worse, and it won't even matter if he really is or not, just that Theta -thinks- he is. She whines and focuses on her breath trying hard to keep herself coherent.]

The...Clank Revolution of 1948...the crisis it spawned... How could you even -build- something that would turn on you??

I'm from 2010, but unless you're from the forties...

[reluctantnanny]

You're asking me as if I have any idea what you're talking about, which I do not, I'm afraid.

[He sticks to his guns, determined to clear his name] I have yet to see any kind of Revolution involving machines going haywire, as of 1941; Adolf Hitler may be off in his bonnet, but if he tried sending tanks at Moscow just when winter was hitting, I doubt he has the brains or ability for something as advanced as what you describe.

It is possible that you've come from a different version of my world...