Life inside the suitcase is tranquil and harmonious.
Most of the time.
It's a beautiful day, and the sun is shining off the surface of the lake, making it sparkle.
It's an ideal day for boating, reading, napping, and causing mischief.
Charlie: Ahhh!
Charlie: My script, it's drenched.
Charlie: Another metallic hued "raindrop" splashes near the ladies' feet.
Sotheby: My, what a big splash!
Sotheby: Is there an Ogopogo living here?! But Vertin certainly never introduced us to it.
Sotheby: Perhaps it's weeping out of mere shyness, like Mr. Wet Eyes.
Charlie: O-Ogopogo? Isn't that some kind of fiend from those old legends?
Charlie: Let's not speculate, Ms. Sotheby. It's probably just a large fish that happens to be fond of spraying water. Let's continue discussing the script!
*plop*
The droplets continue to fall, creating sharp and distinct sounds.
Sotheby: But we're not even close to the lake!
Charlie: Oh, you're right. What's this on the ground, then a coin?
Charlie raises her head.
What meets her gaze is neither an Ogopogo nor some water-spraying fish.
硬币声
Sotheby: Coins!
Sotheby: Good heavens, there are so many coins here—almost as many as there are in Father's 385th vault!
Charlie: Now you're just exaggerating. There aren't that many coins. Only enough to buy a small piece of farmland.
Sotheby: Oh, farmland, eh? Could I use it to grow creeping dog grass?
Charlie: ...
The ladies' curious chatter continues, their topics meandering like a river.
They seem to have entirely forgotten about the initial coins that caused the splashes.
La Source: ...
La Source: So boring. I'm almost out of coins.
La Source: When will they finally notice me?!
La Source: She frowns and gives her clay pot a good thump.
La Source: Alright, maybe this place isn't so bad.
La Source: No boring explorers, no pesky, noisy fools making wishes ...
La Source: No more people believing all fountains grant wishes. No more listening to the mumbling of odd phrases every day as people try to toss coins into my pot.
La Source: I'm free! Now I can play tricks on whoever I want!
La Source: ...
La Source: But ...
The ladies nearby remain oblivious to La Source's murmuring, returning to their discussion on the script.
They don't seem bothered at all by a few mere splashes.
La Source's pot lies on the grass nearby, a gentle trickle of water flowing quietly from it.
La Source: Hmph! What a pair of bores!
La Source: ...!
Only few in this world can truly entertain La Source, but thankfully, Vertin has all kinds of strange friends.
Balloon Party: Grass, cupcakes, and balloons—yes, more balloons! That'll make a perfect party!
Baby Blue: Hmm, this blanket here looks just right for a nap.
Baby Blue yawns and settles down in the lushest part of the grass.
ONiON: Careful of the brambles, Ms. Baby Blue!
ONiON: I sincerely suggest you spare the time to watch my new TV series, Wilderness Survival. I'm not saying this for my ratings.
Their discussion falls clearly into La Source's ears.
La Source: Hehe, fresh meat for my next big prank.
La Source: What to do? Fling coins at them? Create an air geyser? Or maybe just dunk water on their heads?
La Source: No, no, no, that's all been done before! Where's the creativity?!
La Source: And if they can't figure out who's pulling the pranks, then, then ...
Their discussion falls clearly into La Source's ears.
She glances at the solitary, overturned pot.
She catches a spark of inspiration.
Their discussion falls clearly into La Source's ears.
La Source: I know! I can't always hide in the shadows, so I should let them know who's pranking them!
La Source: Ahem. Such is the conduct befitting a well-bred "Spring Elfin."
La Source moves stealthily toward her targets.
She approaches step by step, until even the faintest gasps can be heard.
ONiON: So Wonderland isn't just some make-believe world from a children's book—it's real! The people need to know about this.
ONiON: I appreciate your candor, Baby Blue! This is all very valuable stuff!
ONiON, engrossed in her note-taking, remains oblivious to the approaching prankster.
La Source: Hello there!
The group turns around.
Baby Blue & Balloon Party: ...?
La Source: ...
The two across from her move closer, curiosity on their faces. La Source's legs tremble slightly as she steps back.
La Source: Great, I've scared them!
La Source: But, what next?
La Source: Oh, that's it! I'll pull a prank that'll leave them all stunned!
La Source: I-I'm the Spring Elfin, La Source! Got any wishes you want to come true?
She stands with her hands on her hips and her head held high.
Balloon Party: ...
Baby Blue: Uh?
La Source: What am I talking about? I hate granting wishes!
La Source: Oh! But if they make a wish first, then I'll have a reason to prank them, just like all those other unlucky wish-makers!
La Source: Alright, that's the plan! That's what I'll do!
La Source: Hehe! Yes! Tell me your wishes!
La Source: And you better be excited. You're about to be part of the greatest prank ever! Hehe!
Baby Blue: Hello there. Come. Sit on this blanket. You can take the middle; there's a comfy pillow for you.
She leads La Source by the hand, guiding her to a leafy branch.
La Source: ...!
La Source: This unexpected warmth catches the prankster off guard. She involuntarily clenches her toes.
Balloon Party: Hey, new kid—are you here for the party? How about a balloon?
La Source: Huh? I was going to ask if you had any wishes.
Balloon Party: Here, have a balloon. We have lots and lots of them.
Balloon Party: Hold onto it tight, and don't let it pop, or the insides will—bang! Fly out everywhere.
Balloon Party: Just like that thing over there!
Balloon Party: Balloon Party points to the lonely pot in the grass.
Baby Blue: In Wonderland, we have golden fountains of honey and syrup. This pot seems different, though. Perhaps it's filled with cream and shaved ice.
Baby Blue: Mmm. Let's try it!
She moves lightly toward the pot, the reporter's words following closely behind.
ONiON: Maybe we should do a deep dive interview about this. By the way, Ms. Baby Blue, you didn't mention this in your previous interviews. Please tell us more abou—
La Source: No! That's MY pot!
La Source runs over, sweeps the pot into her arms, and clings to it tightly.
Balloon Party watches on with excitement.
Balloon Party: Oh, a pot! Perfect for keeping balloons in! We should get little pots to give to everyone—ones that are colorful, can change size, and go bubble-bubble-bubble!
This conversation is too bizarre for La Source to handle.
La Source: I-I ...
La Source: I need to go change the water in the pot! Be right back!
Balloon Party: Oh, okay. That's too bad.
Balloon Party: See you soon, friend!