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!