Coral's first birthday party

[guppy_sandhu]

Outside in a quiet corner of the garden, well away from the lake, a birthday party has been set up.

There's a paddling pool with some toys in, a picnic spread out on a cloth, and a sign saying 'Happy Birthday Coral'.

Comments

[a1enzo]

"Can't," he says regretfully.

[ikissdhimbck]

"I hope you're not dietin'."

[a1enzo]

He's a teenage boy, and one in extremely good shape. Not bloody likely.

"No, but it's human food. I can't eat matter."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Oh, I'm sorry."

For all the people she's met, from all the different worlds, she actually hasn't run across very many who can't eat the foods she herself enjoys.

"What is it y'eat?"

[a1enzo]

"Energy. That's what I am."

[ikissdhimbck]

Her eyes widen a touch.

"That's what you are?" she repeats, trying to toe the line between sincere awe and not offending him by gawking. "Jus' ... pure energy?"

[a1enzo]

"Yeah. Well, electrical patterns. D'you know computers?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She shakes her head slowly.

"I've seen, ah, devices belongin' t'somma my friends here. They look like books, but they've got a window on 'em like a television set. S'amazin', the things they can do."

[a1enzo]

"Okay. Well, I'm a computer program."

[ikissdhimbck]

An easier concept, perhaps, for someone not of the nineteenth century.


"As in..."

She arches her eyebrows.


"...You're part of a computer?"

[a1enzo]

"Yeah. In my world, programs are people, and computers are... sort of like countries. Not exactly, but that's the closest human thing."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Goodness."

She can't quite wrap her mind around the idea, but she thinks she understands at least the basic concept.

"So, is there anythin' here y'can eat?"

[a1enzo]

Enzo nods and indicates a section of the table where all the food looks like plastic window displays, peculiarly smooth, just like Enzo himself.

[ikissdhimbck]

"...Is that tasty?"

[a1enzo]

"Is to me. You shouldn't try it unless you want to be electrocuted."

[ikissdhimbck]

She lets out a sharp but quiet laugh.

"I'll bear that in mind an' stick t'my peaches, then."

[a1enzo]

Enzo nods and grins.

"I might try some later, if there's any left after the party. We've got a digitizer upstairs, so I can convert them."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Really? Y'can change 'em into pure energy?"

How completely fascinating.

"Can y'do that with all sorts of things, or only food?"

[a1enzo]

"All sorts. Wanna be a sprite?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She's taken aback.






"Me? A sprite?"

She laughs, but it's almost nervous sounding.

"I dunno. Could I get changed back after?"

[a1enzo]

"Sure. It's totally safe. My girlfriend's human, and we change to visit each other's worlds all the time."

Not that Kate needs to try it if she doesn't want to. He's mostly just making the point. She's welcome to if she does want to, though!

[ikissdhimbck]

"Gracious."

Kate's always been fascinated by the scientific. You'll find any opportunity presented to her is at least considered, if not immediately agreed to.

"I might take you up on that someday. At least t'see how it works."

[a1enzo]

"Sure thing."

Pause.

"I'm Enzo, by the way. Enzo Matrix."

The hand he offers is large, plastic-smooth, and if it's warm, that's only because the air around it is.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Beggin' your pardon."

Sometimes she plumb forgets her manners.

"Kate Barlow. I think I've seen you 'round the stables before, Mr. Matrix."

She takes the proffered hand, slightly surprised by the feeling of it. But she gives it a warm shake.

[a1enzo]

"Probably," he agrees. "And it's just Enzo, please. Matrix is what we call my brother."