01 | [Voice/Action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[For a moment, nothing happens. The camera is focused on a patch of grass. There are rustling sounds and a woman's voice mutters indistinguishably to herself, and eventually the journal is righted so that the camera focuses on Sally's face. There is a leaf in her hair. She does not look happy.]

Right, I think I've worked out what this thing does, and I just want to say that if this is someone's idea of a joke, I'm not laughing. See this? [She lifts up a police badge containing her ID.] This is a police badge. It's my police badge, yeah? It says I'm Sergeant Sally Donovan of London PD, which means that when I find out who's responsible for this, for...this [She gestures down the length of her body, at the dress that isn't hers] and for this [She turns the journal to take in the unfamiliar surroundings] and I don't even know how to start about this [She jerks her thumb over her shoulder at the pair of dark brown wings that definitely aren't supposed to be there] that person or persons are in a world of trouble.

My advice to you, whoever you are, is to come forward immediately. That's less trouble on my part and a lighter sentence for you, so it's in everyone's best interest. Do not make me find you.

[Sally fumes silently for a moment, and when she decides her point has been made, the recording ends.]

Comments

[flickerflash]

[...oh hey, someone from London. :D That's so close by they could be neighbours. And a police officer. The little girl that speaks back has a British accent, or specifically a West Country one.]

I'm terribly sorry. I think I'm responsible for everything.

[And she sounds very respectful.]

[cop_an_attitude]

[A little girl? Pardon Sally if she doesn't take this completely seriously.]

Is it, love? Don't worry; I'm sure it's not your fault.

[But part of this is a little worrisome.]

Sorry, are you all right? You're not lost too, are you? Are your mum and dad around?

Also I am slow like the sloth on sake

[flickerflash]

[That gets a wide smile. You're just like her favourite policewomen in Bath.

...not that she has call to see a lot of policewomen in Bath. Just sayin'.]

Oh, not to worry. My parents are definitely here with me. They're very protective and make sure I don't go near any pirates.

[cop_an_attitude]

That's good news. You definitely don't want to get caught up with any pirates.

[flickerflash]

Are you really a policewoman? Is it fun? Have you arrested many people?

[cop_an_attitude]

I am a real policewoman, yeah. It can be fun sometimes, but it's more important to get the job done than to have fun, I think. And I have arrested lots of people, but only ones who deserve it.

[flickerflash]

[Hee.]

My name's Theresa. [No, it's not. But details.] Have any adults talked to you yet?

[cop_an_attitude]

Hello, Theresa. I'm Sally.

Yeah, lots of adults have talked to me.

[flickerflash]

So someone's told you what's goign on, then. [Which is good. It saves her having to lie about everything to a police officer.]

[cop_an_attitude]

Yeah, lots of people have. ...You're not from around here then either, are you? [The idea that the Malnosso might steal children for their little experiments is pretty infuriating, but she doesn't let that show.] It's...good your parents are around, at least.

[flickerflash]

They've been here with me since the very beginning. We live on the beach together.

[Hmm.] Are you going to try and get home?

[cop_an_attitude]

The beach, eh? That must be fun. Do your parents have journals too?

Yeah, I am. Important police work to do, and someone's going to have to feed my fish.

[flickerflash]

They do, though they don't like using them. They say it's like eavesdropping. What kind of fish do you have?

[cop_an_attitude]

It can be like eavesdropping, I guess, but it's also a good way to communicate with people. Do you think your parents might want to talk to me, Theresa? They probably want to know who you talk to, right? Especially grown-ups. [Sally's working on trying to make sure this kid is taken care of. She knows this can sometimes be a laborious process.]

I have a few zebra danios, some neon tetras, and an algae-eater. Do you know much about aquarium fish?

[flickerflash]

Not very much. Just that they're really pretty. [And delicious. Cough. And she was afraid of that. Now she racks her brain for people to list as parents that aren't Captain Jack Sparrow or a nine foot tall skeleton.]

My dad works at the restaurant. His name is Sanji.

[cop_an_attitude]

They are, aren't they?

Does he? I bet it's nice having a dad who can cook.

[flickerflash]

It's very nice! [This wide smile.] He's especially good at roast chicken. You should try it some day.

[cop_an_attitude]

I'm sure I'll try it at the restaurant sometime. [Probably soon, as cooking isn't her strong point. :|]

[flickerflash]

[...]

If you do police things to find a way home, can I help? I've always wanted to be a police officer.

[cop_an_attitude]

[Look out, you found Sally's enormous soft spot for kids who want to grow up to be police officers.]

Well, remember police officers are there to do some things that aren't safe for regular people, but I'll tell you what: If there's anything at all you can help with, I'll let you know straightaway, okay?

[flickerflash]

Okay! [SHE'LL TAKE IT.]

[cop_an_attitude]

Are there any other children here that you know of, Theresa? I haven't met any.

[flickerflash]

Lots. Have you met Elicia?

[cop_an_attitude]

No; is she a friend of yours?

[flickerflash]

Not really. We've never met, but she talks a lot on the journals. And then I think there's another little girl that really loves cats, but I don't know her name.