help how i use laptop??

[crablette]

[There's a small pigtailed girl sitting on a bench, poking at the laptop Garden had provided her with. She had a vague induction as to what it was, but really it was kind of a mystery. Someone had told her that there was something called a "BBS" on here and that it was easy to meet other off-worlders on it.

So far she'd learned that if you moved the arrow around and pushed a button it did something. There were some interesting things to read about, like the Garden's rules and notices... but she couldn't seem to find this BBS. Not just that, but when she pressed the keys to write, no letters showed up anywhere.

As time goes on, she grows increasingly perplexed, her frown deepening.

She was going to work out this laptop thing!]

Maybe if I talk to it...?

Show me the BBS!

[...]

Please?

[...]

Comments

[earthlychild]

[Aerith was on a stroll this morning, doing her best to enjoy the atmosphere. There would be final exams to grade soon, and she had so many students coming in for help, but it was exciting. They were on their way to becoming great medics! She smiled as she walked back to her room, pausing for a moment. There's a girl here who looks lost.]

The computer's giving you trouble, miss?

[crablette]

I don't know how to make it work.

[earthlychild]

[Aerith leaned over the little laptop and tapped her chin. It's all right, this problem's easy to fix! She smiled.]

It's under Garden Square. [She pointed to this field on the screen.] Move your mouse here and click on that.

[crablette]

[Move her what there and do what to it?]

The... mouse?

[earthlychild]

[Oh, right! Aerith slaps her forehead. She's been working with too many desktops.]

I'm sorry! I was thinking of another computer. The touchpad. See here? Move your finger and see how the arrow on the screen moves? Point it to Garden Square.

[crablette]

And push the button?

Oh!

[Messages from other students pop up on the screen. Is this the BBS? Really, that's the question should come first, but something else is playing on Sophie's mind.]

Are there really mice attached to other ones?

[earthlychild]

That's not the kind of mouse I meant.

Other computers have a....thing you can move with you hand instead of a pad. That thing you move is called a mouse, but it's more shaped like an egg. It's not a real mouse!

[That would just be creepy. She shudders.]

Anyway, welcome to Garden! Have you been settling in all right?

[crablette]

Oh. I get it.

[But while she clicks on the things onscreen, she looks a little worried.]

I don't know... I haven't been here very long. It's all so different.

[earthlychild]

You've never seen a computer before? I didn't have much experience with them either, but you get used to it. This world's all so new, though! Every time we move to a new place I'm stunned.

[She looks at the girl thoughtfully.]

Is there something you really miss?

[crablette]

Well, I've seen things like it, but usually Pascal makes them work.

I... miss my friends.

[earthlychild]

You're not the only one there.

I'm not the best with computers, but I could keep helping you. I"m sure others will help if you ask.

But it's not the same as being with someone you trust, is it?

[crablette]

No.

I know I'm not the only one, and that everyone feels bad, but it still hurts. Especially since... it just happened.

[earthlychild]

Maybe it'll get better later on? Time compression does strange things. You might meet people you never expected to see again.

[crablette]

Just like how I came here?

Um... did you ever meet someone called Asbel?

[earthlychild]

Right.

No, I haven't, but I'll look for them. Anything I should know?

[crablette]

[She assumes she's asking for a description.]

He's got brown hair, blue eyes, wears a lot of white, and protects everyone. He's my best friend! He adopted me.

Oh... Actually, one of his eyes is purple. But they're really supposed to be blue.

[earthlychild]

Okay, I've got it. I'll make sure you find your best friend if he's here.

Is there a reason his eyes are different?

[crablette]

Yes, but I don't really know if I should talk about it...

[They might hurt Lambda, or hurt Asbel to get to Lambda.]

[earthlychild]

Okay. I don't want to pry.

But like I said, I'll make sure you find each other if I can, okay?

[crablette]

Okay! Thank you!

[tempesting]

[ Dolphin is walking through the Lobby with her morning bottled, distilled water when she spots the girl with the frown on her face. She comes over, speaking once she's close enough for Sophie to hear. ]

Excuse me? Do you need some help?

[crablette]

[Glances up, and gives a small nod.]

I wanted to find other off-worlders on the "computer," but it doesn't do what I want it to.

[tempesting]

[ She sits down next to the girl. ]

May I see?

[crablette]

Okay.

[A nod, and she adjusts the laptop so the stranger can see.]

[tempesting]

[ Dolphin leans over and peeks down, frowning. ] This isn't the BBS screen. Is that what you're looking for?

[crablette]

[A nod.]

Do you know how to make it work?

[tempesting]

[ She nods. ] Yes. But I don't want to invade your privacy, so I'll just help you along, okay?

[crablette]

Okay.

[Looks expectantly at Dolphin, then turns her face, determined, to the screen.]

[tempesting]

So, what does the site name say?

[marearcana]

[Always happy to help someone out and amused at how innocent/naive this girl is, Twilight approaches.]

It doesn't quite work like that, but that's an interesting idea.

I can show you how to get at it, if you want, though.

1/2

[crablette]

[Sophie's about to answer but then she realises that there is a... a thing talking to her!]

2/2

[crablette]

[But after that moment of surprise, she frowns, confused and a little bit worried.]

I didn't know monsters could talk...

[Or, y'know, be friendly.]

[marearcana]

[Very friendly, in fact!]

Oh, I'm not a monster, I'm just from a world very different from this one. I understand your reaction, though, until I ended up here I'd never seen any humans before.

My name is Twilight Sparkle. And you are...

[crablette]

Oh! Sorry, I didn't know about that... are there lots of people who aren't human, here?

[She doesn't say, but it's... kind of nice, to know she's not the only one here that isn't human.]

I'm Sophie.

[marearcana]

A few. I haven't seen a few of the ones I know around lately, which has me a little worried.

[Considering most of them are good friends of hers and two are instructors...]

It's very nice to meet you, Sophie!

[crablette]

It's nice to meet you too, Twilight!

Do the others look like you, too?

[marearcana]

Some of them. Rainbow Dash, for example, is a pony like me, except she has wings instead of a horn. She's a great friend of mine.

[crablette]

"Pony..." That's what you are?

[Um, Twilight, Sophie is the kind of person who will assault you with a barrage of questions. Beware!]

[marearcana]

A unicorn pony to be more specific, but yes.

[And she will answer them all. Bring it on.]