out of my element

Yeah…actually. And you’re…you’re okay with that? Me being from the Underworld? Well, she might be a great reader, but you seem to be a great writer! Although I don’t doubt she’s great at writing too, but I’m just saying, you’ve got the special spice–the creativity. Creativity is important, makes life more fun, and you seem to have oodles of it! Isn’t that a good word? Oodles? It’s probably one of my favorites. Ahhh, thank you, thank you! I’ll be here all year! See, now that there’s no obligation to do a resolution, there’s a bunch of time to do other fun things like climbing trees or swimming!

More than okay, why wouldn’t I be? I am as comfortable with someone from the Underworld as I am with someone in their underwear. Not that I spend time with people in their underwear but if I were to –– the point I’m trying to make is that I think it’s superb no matter where you originate from. Oh I’m no writer, I used to write journal entries that got a bit carried away but that was years ago, I keep them concise and in codes since you never know whose hands it could fall into.  It is a perfect word and it suits you! Reminds me of noodles – are you a noodle eater? I hope you are here all year, and with hundreds of years to follow! I wish I spent more time swimming, I’ve never swam in an ocean, only lakes or rivers. Or ponds. Do you enjoy ice fishing?

…who’re you and what made you think this is fuckin’ peanut gallery 2.0?

How rude of me, I assure you I usually introduce myself more politely before answering but I believe we were just cutting to the chase! Noelle –– is the name of me...and yourself? Wait a –– oh I sincerely hope you don’t think I’m judging you. On the contrary! I’d be happy to be of service to you on this afternoon. People say that I am funnier than a chimp in a bingo parlor, and that they love my hats. 

Braced to be shunned away, doe eyes expand to planets at the heed of her words, the unmistakable ghost of a smile prompting a mimicked one –– the crack in her lips being duly noted to never abandon her chapstick in the future. Taking the initiative, Noelle surveyed the area as her battered ( purely from excessive use, and the lack of a trip to the store ) sneaker-clad feet hopped from tile-to-tile, like a child avoiding make-believe lava. Landing on a strip of pavement, she pulls at her up-do tautly, positioning her right leg before her. “Now I don’t want to come across as a show-off so after I go, you’ve got to try it too. Okay? Feel free to stop me – sometime’s the action alone will be so uplifting that I’ll just keep going and end up somewhere entirely different.” Ceasing her flow of words the princess raised both arms to the sky – twinkling her fingers as she did so – took a beat to contemplate the one fluid motion, and followed through with ease. For the fraction of a second she remained fully erect on both flat palms, the heiress envisioned pushing through to another world ( a recurring thought whenever lost in the movement ) only to be defuzed the instant she lands on her own two feet. To herself she breathes, “Nice.” 

“Let me cut to the chase: how much d’you want to switch rooms with me?”

I don’t know about ‘how much’ but I would enjoy something handmade – aren’t those the best they say? What is it about your room that makes you leave it so badly? Perhaps there’s something to make it more suited to your liking instead of switching, I think you’d feel more accomplished doing that instead.

“ …So, do you mind if I sit here? I sort of tripped and ran into someone and as I was saying sorry they were making death threats and it just turned into this whole ordeal and I made a run for it. Ran into a wall. I’m trying to blend in right now. “

“ What an afternoon you’ve had! Of course of course, I’d be delighted to have company. If they make their way over here just say so and I’ll create some sort of a diversion to shoo em’ away.·Or tell a horrible joke, that also does the trick! “

“ That’s a rather vulgar language to use when in the presence of a lady, mister. Or at any time, really. ”  

“ Chivalry at it’s finest and I’ve got a front row seat! I very much appreciate the gesture but not to worry – I find the vulgar language adds a much needed zest to my…life? –– Ah, that was a joke! But don’t think the act is downgraded for that reason! “

Pulled from an odd trance, the idly standing heiress refocused her attention to the questioning voice,·“Hi! Abso-fruitly, in fact, would you like me to escort you? I think my days of standing here doing nothing are finished – unless you’d prefer to be alone as most do when in a garden.”·

“Unless it’s a matter of life or death I wouldn’t recommend talking to me right now. I haven’t slept in two days and I will hurt someone. Unless you have hot chocolate then we’re cool.”

“ Then I come bearing only apologies as I so foolishly forgot a decent thermus full back in my dorm. I can imagine you’d be exhausted – sheesh, what’s been keeping you up if I may ask? ”

“ Oh, oh...hey are you alright? No need to apologize, accidents happen, it’s precisely why they’re called so –– may I help you with the cleanup? It just seems most efficient with two sets of hands. Plus, the thing I love about ceramics is how you can save the pieces and recreate something entirely unique from the shatter. Do you have other mugs in the meantime? “

[ she watched the darker hair girl, perplexed. this girl seemed to know exactly what to do, and the people listened ?? most people tended to drown her out or ignore her completely, yet the two disgusting teenagers acted as if she was a GOD. maybe she was. ] thank you. i do not know how you did that, but thank you. i am blake. blake hardback.

“ blake hardback, pleased to meet you, they call me noelle. don’t sweat it in the least, i’m more than happy to assist you instead of what i was doing alternatively.” with a raised hand she gestured to the spot from which she occupied first. “what book will it be today?” she paused, “sorry –– i didn’t intend for that to come out as if i work here. i’m rarely in here as it is! “

Fitzherbert? Mine’s Melanthios! My love for you is as wide as my name is long! That’s a brilliant line, by the way. Your way with words is beautiful! I haven’t come up with one yet either, and I think that’s okay. It’s an important decision so you want to be sure you pick a really good one, but one you also feel like you can handle, ya know? For example, I’d never pick to give up eating baklava because that’s just not possible, you feel me? Like yeah, we gotta improve ourselves, but we also need to enjoy our lives! 

Of the Underworld, if I’m not mistaken? That makes two of us now! Not from the Underworld, just the loving. Though, now that I’m thinking about it, I’d be honored to visit at any point in time. You think so? I just came up with it on the spot, I’ve never viewed myself as a way-with-words type of person. My sister Harlem, she’s got a way with words I’ll tell you that. She’s a real reader she is. Yes, yes I do feel you! What an astute way to handle it, I would’ve set an outrageous goal like uh going to the...I don’t know, the next planet over. Or drinking milk. Snaps for that way of thinking, I agree!

Oh thank you! No one has ever said anything like that about me before. I do also enjoy walking or anything really that gets me moving. Now I can not handle sitting for too long. I have to get up and move somehow so sitting in class is terribly boring.

I – what? You must be joking, is that true? Then you my friend, have been amongst the wrong sort of folk. Oh yeah I can totally relate to that, that’s why I ask to go to the bathroom at least three times a period. I don’t have to relieve myself that often I assure you, it’s all for the movement. Gotta be sure to not get your foot caught somewhere or else they’ll think you’re going number two.