02 | Video

[maddeninghatter]

[ Baaa Baa-aa-aaaaaa Baaaaaaaaaaa! ]

I say, hello, hel-looooo! I have a question for you all--

[ The grime-smeared face of Xerxes Break appears onscreen. His white hair is discolored with dust and stuck together. There's a semicircular wound under his right cheekbone, and the shoulder of his jacket looks chewed. Despite all of this, he seems terribly pleased with himself. ]

Does anyone here have qualifications in animal husbandry?

[ More angry bleating and a yelp! Break turns. Visible in the background is another (also dirty and disheveled) man, desperately fending off a sheep. It’s not going at all according to plan; with a single headbutt he’s out of the camera’s line of sight, followed by a thud and worrisome tinkling noises. ]

Why, Gilbert. I think she likes you! ♥

[ Moving right along... ]

Anyway - yes. I'm looking specifically for people with experience or interest in shepherding, as well as shearing, spinning, knitting, cheese-making--

[ Another CRASH! and a voice yelling, “Break, look out!" ]

--and hand-to-hand combat! Kindly respond to this post, or apply in person to the botanical gar--

[ Break’s face suddenly disappears. The last image visible onscreen is… this. ]

Comments

action

[quackery]

No, that isn't what I meant! We're friends, that's weird!

What do you mean?

action 1/2

[maddeninghatter]

I mean, you're adorable~~~~~!

Cos you're a--

[maddeninghatter]

[ --kid who acts like a kid, he was going to say.

At which point, he realizes: Oz doesn't act like a kid - because he isn't one. What's more, he never was. How profoundly sad. ]

...

[quackery]

I'm not adorable! And I—

What's the matter?

[maddeninghatter]

Dear me--

I must be tired, to be letting you ask all the questions.

[quackery]

You looked sad for a second! What's the matter?

[maddeninghatter]

[ "You look sad! What's the matter?"

Ouch. Nostalgia. ]

No, that's not how it works. You've got to tell me something, now.

[quackery]

If you're sure... What do you want me to tell you?

[maddeninghatter]

[ Emily peeks out from under his blanket. She isn't up to anything untoward, simply sporting a French braid and a new ribbon. ]

Did you... have a favorite toy when you were small? Er, smaller.

[quackery]

Um, no, not that I can remember. Why?

[maddeninghatter]

[ He was going somewhere with this, but that admission yanks him around in a different direction: ]

No parents... no toys that you can remember...

[quackery]

[She tilts her head, confused.]

Um, yeah. Is something the matter?

[maddeninghatter]

Ah, no. Nothing at all.

[ where's your head, kid?

he's going to reach out and

try to pat it. ]