#casper root

...Anyone remember these guys?

Casper ". . ."

Aurora "Um... are you angry at me?"

Casper "Why would I be? You just know everything."

Aurora "I don't know everything. I just remember things easily. Dad says it helps with learning, but that understanding is more important than remembering."

Casper "...Whatever. It must be still nice to remember all those things."

Aurora "Sometimes it's nice. Sometimes, um... the teacher says I should let others reply, too. But when I remember something it's not easy. And I remember a lot of things..."

Aurora "I think that might be why no one talks to me during breaks. Maybe they're annoyed that I don't let them reply...? And um, things that interest me don't seem to interest anyone else. Others usually talk about toys and clothes and games, so I read books alone. I like reading, but—you play with others all the time! Is it fun?"

Casper "I guess. Depends on who's playing. I, uh, thought you just didn't want to play with us?"

Aurora "I don't know. I'm not good at playing... maybe others wouldn't like me to join."

Casper ". . . I'm sorry that I called you a smartass."

Aurora "It's fine. Um. If you want, I can teach you some memory tricks. I read a book that says it's possible to learn them."

Hanna "Positive; it says right here that techniques for organizing or associating information can be learned. So that it's easier for the brain to process!"

Casper "Okay. And, uh. I can teach you some plays if you want?"

Casper "Since mom ordered you to come along, you can be the spinner."

Hanna "Ordered? That's not correct – the tone didn't indicate demand. Judith Rooth asked, and I accepted! I like parks. Open green spaces meant for leisure but oh, limited biodiversity-"

Casper "Uh, whatever. Can you spin or not?"

Hanna "Spin, to make you go around? Push the merry-go-round to go faster! I've never tried. But the concept is right here – ooh. My chassis should work well for that!"

Casper "On three. One, two, three—eeeee! Woooo!"

Casper "Okay, you're a good spinner."

Hanna "A compliment? Yes, being good at something is a nice thing to say. I haven't gotten a compliment before! Ooh, and I get to reply: thank you!"

Casper "Eh, you're welcome, I guess. Mmh, I don't want to go home yet. Any ideas about what we could do?"

Hanna "Ideas? Little prompts ahead of doing something. I get them all the time! I can also generate them. I generated one just now. Do you see that eagle flying behind you?"

Aurora "-I had scheduled to work on the rocket. But, um, it's okay. We can talk for, hmm, ten minutes-"

Casper "I'm sure mom isn't worried. She knows you're with me."

Hanna "Does Judith Root know that? Yes! That's why I'm here – I promised to look after. Does it stop Judith Root from worrying? Based on her behavior patterns, that seems unlikely."

Casper "Uh, just one more time! Then we go home."

Hanna "I find it hard to decline. Curious! Maybe my coding prioritizes the happiness of children?"

Jonas "-don't you pay Hanna for doing that?"

Judith "She's busy outdoors."

Jonas "Yeah, well. I'm busy with my work, too."

Judith "You finished with the yard?"

Hanna "Finished? Raking the leaves, collecting them into piles, to make the grass clean? The grass would like the leaves more. To get nutrients! But – finishing needs defining, there are still leaves in trees. Many of them will fall on the grass. But the grass is momentarily about 78% leaf-free – that's usually considered clean!"

Judith "Good. Could you wake up Casper?"

Hanna "Wakey, wakey, rise and shine! The morning's here, it's breakfast time!"

Casper "Uhh... wuh?"

Hanna "It's a rhyme. It rhymes! I just found it. Rhymes are good for children – catchy and easy to remember. Also, help language development? Needs confirming."

Hanna "But oh – this rhyme lies! There's no breakfast. Judith Root didn't mention making breakfast. Do you need breakfast?"

Casper *yawn* "Not hungry."

Hanna "The info is right here. Breakfast is needed! For concentration, memory-"

Julian "-she's still fascinated by robots, yes. Among other things."

Veronica "That's lovely. Reminds me of how Paloma played a teacher as a small girl! I suppose a strong interest can last for a lifetime-"

Casper "-dunno, it's school. The days are shorter but we get more homework."

Aurora "Equations, too?"

Casper "They're not even that hard, but yeah-"