TEXT | UN: Laura

[shoplifter]

It's going to be my birthday soon. I picked one a few months ago, but I don't know how it works when it's time to celebrate them. I have left everyone 'invitations' on their doors, though.

[And true to the text's word, if people wander out of their cabin or approach it, they'll find a piece of paper taped to the front:]

Comments

[shoplifter]

Etraya is full of many good people.

It makes me want to be good, too.
Maybe then, if it's true we are here to save worlds, I will be able to save my own.

[twin_blade]

Saving your world is a heavy burden for such young shoulders. Are there others from your world here?

[shoplifter]

There are people here who know another version of me.
But I'm not so sure any of them are from my world.

It's okay, though. I can handle it.

[twin_blade]

Another version? Must be weird.

Maybe that's a good thing about being one of a kind. No one here has ever heard of my world.

[shoplifter]

It can be... I just hope I am not a disappointing version.

What is your world like?

[twin_blade]

Exandria is vast. There are many lands and peoples and even other realms. It was peaceful until recently, when a group of dragons banded together to attack. They'll destroy everything if they're not stopped.

[shoplifter]

Dragons?
I'm not sure what those are.

[Which checks out. Etraya's the first time she got to meet a cat or dog in person.]

[twin_blade]

They're large, dangerous beasts that kill people. Some can breathe fire. Others poison or ice.

I saw some books with them in the library. Picture and story books. I've been told they're not real in many other worlds and are just works of fiction. I've been told the same thing about elves.

[shoplifter]

They sound like something that would be at Cid's home.
Is there a good way to fight them, in case I run into one?

... I've not heard of elves before, either.

[twin_blade]

I'm sure it's possible.

[ His can't be the only world with dragons. ]

I can only speak to the ones that I know and... I wouldn't say we have it down to a science. Most times we barely got through it alive.

Oh, I'm an elf. Well, half-elf. There are also humans, orcs, halflings, dwarves, giants, and so many others.

[shoplifter]

I see. In my world, there are only humans and mutants.
Mutants are like humans, though. We are born normal.
We just have a gene inside us that changes how we are, when we're older.

[twin_blade]

I don't think we have anyone like that where I come from. If you're born a halfling, you're always a halfling.

[ There's no changing later, though he's not sure what that change entails. ]

Does your world have magic? Can you cast spells?

[shoplifter]

I don't think we do. But there are a lot of things that seem like it.

My body heals very fast. People would think it is like magic.

[twin_blade]

That sounds useful. I know I could have used an ability like that more than once. Luckily, a friend of mine is an excellent cleric.