Bare feet scamper across the lake, across the wilderness, and finally come to rest in a more peaceful place.
Balloons, brambles, blankets—they all vanish from sight, and a proud little chest rises once again.
La Source: Phew, finally got away.
La Source: What were they even talking about? I couldn't make head nor tail of it. I thought I was supposed to be the one pranking them, not the other way around!
La Source racks her brain, looking for a logical explanation.
La Source: I know! They're just too young!
La Source: Ah yes, kids' talk is always puzzling, but that's just how it is.
La Source: But a Spring Elfin's pranks should have a higher goal!
She shakes off the confusion and looks around with fresh interest.
The corridor is full of life. Spirits drift here and there, lilies bounce, poets scurry away, and birds dart through the air.
Clearly, these are not the targets for a good prank.
Balloons, brambles, blankets—they all vanish from sight, and a proud little chest rises once again.
John Titor: ...
La Source: ...!
A passing girl catches her attention.
La Source: Who's that?
La Source: She looks pretty normal. No weird critters or birds tagging along, either. She's just holding a regular old box!
La Source: Hehe, now that's someone ripe for a prank!
She clenches her fists, ready to go.
La Source: Alright, La Source. Now's the time to pull a prank that'll amaze everyone!
John Titor is still lost in thought, oblivious to the "honor" that she has just been graced with.
A mist grows, and the enigmatic Spring Elfin appears in the haze.
La Source: Hello there, lucky lady!
La Source: The magnificent Spring Elfin will now fulfill your wish! Embrace your fate with due gratitude! Tell me—
John Titor: 486F776D616E79776973686573
Her opening speech is cut short.
La Source: Sorry, what?
John Titor: 416E79636F6E646974696F6E73
This isn't quite the reaction she was hoping for.
La Source: You're not even a little excited? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
John Titor: 57686572656973796F75726C6F676963
La Source: ... Uh ... I ... you ...
La Source: Anybody help?
The mist quickly fades. Yet another blow for La Source.
Fortunately, within the suitcase, there is always someone willing to help, be they human or machine.
Ms. Radio: Are you alright, Ms. La Source? Ms. Titor is asking how many wishes you'll grant and if there are any conditions on them.
La Source: A ... radio?!
John Titor: 4869
Ms. Radio: Pardon my interruption, Ms. Titor, Ms. La Source. I was choosing which music to play today, and I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.
Ms. Radio: It's so nice to hear machine language. It makes me feel at home. Thank you, Ms. John Titor.
Ms. Radio bends her antenna in John Titor's direction.
La Source: Machine ... language?
She has no idea what they're talking about.
Ms. Radio: Don't worry, Ms. La Source, I can translate for you. It's my job to create connections between our friends in the suitcase, after all.
John Titor: ...
Ms. Radio: Ms. Titor is curious about how many wishes you'll grant for her and what the conditions might be.
La Source: ...
La Source sighs in relief. Things are getting back on track. She can still pull off the prank.
La Source: Hmph, talk about greedy!
La Source: Regardless, the great Spring Elfin will answer you. I shall grant you three wishes, with no conditions!
John Titor: ...
John Titor nods, moving closer to Ms. Radio's dials.
She whispers a series of numbers, and Ms. Radio's antenna flashes in response.
Ms. Radio: Got it. Ms. Titor's first wish is ...
John Titor: ...
Ms. Radio: For you to do the opposite of her second wish.
La Source: Huh?
Ms. Radio: Her second wish is for you to not grant the third wish.
La Source: What ...?
Ms. Radio: Her third wish is to ignore her first wish.
La Source: Do the opposite of the second ... don't do the third ... ignore the first ...
Steam starts to rise from La Source's head.
La Source: What kind of messed-up wishes are these? They're all impossible to fulfill, aren't they?
La Source: I ... I, I ...
La Source: No! Then, my prank—my wish—won't come true!!!
John Titor smiles.
John Titor: 4F66636F757273656E6F74
John Titor: 596F756172656E6F746177697368696E67656C66
La Source: Hold on! What are you saying?!
John Titor walks away, leaving La Source's confusion far behind.
La Source: Hey, Ms. Radio. What's she trying to say?
Ms. Radio: ...
Her role as a translator and her duty to uphold friendships collide.
La Source: ...
The mist surrounding La Source grows denser as tears well in her eyes.
Ms. Radio: Oh, please don't cry, Ms. La Source. It's not good for either of us.
Ms. Radio: I'm more than willing to translate for you.
The mist stabilizes.
Ms. Radio: "Ms. La Source, you're not a wish-granting elfin. Of course, you can't grant wishes."
La Source: Wh-What?!
The mist grows warm, as if the hall has become a hot spring.
La Source: That's not fair!
La Source: How could I not be able to grant wishes?!
La Source: I CAN grant them! I just don't WANT to! Why should everyone keep getting something for nothing?!
La Source: I'll show them what a Spring Elfin is really capable of!