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[myownhand]

[There’s a finger tapping at the screen a bit, then a soft laugh of victory]

Haha, knew I could get it t’work.

[A blur of red as the figure of Merida comes into view. Seems like the princess has been figuring how to work this thing for most of the morning—and been watching the various other videos and messages zipping by all day.]

I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Merida, first born descendant of clan DunBroch. [There's a hitch of pride in her shoulders, it doesn't matter where, when, or WHY she is anywhere-- she will always wear her name with pride.] I guess y'could say I'm new here, though th'-- kedan, as they were, were very helpful in explainin' most everythin'. That we’re all stuck here, no way out, etcetera, etcetera.

[Then the camera switches directions and you’ll notice it firmly pointed at a toilet.]

But what is this—and why is it in th’bathroom?

[…They don’t exactly have indoor plumbing in DunBroch. Or porcelain toilets. The kedan told her about it, that doesn't mean she recognizes it quite yet.

But wait! There's MORE.]

Also, what is this I hear about a celebration goin' on? I haven't really found my way around yet.

Comments

[myownhand]

I just haven't met many men outside of th'four clans. Most of em' wore kilts. Only ever saw a few foreigners.

[Give her a moment.]

Jeans?

[Oh honey.

You have like... at least 500 years of fashion to catch up on.]

I'm ready. And watchin'.

[Do it.

Do the thing.]

[skybluejeep]

Jeans.

[He points at his own jeans, but then holds up that same finger.]

More on that later. Promise.

[She's like...just as ADHD as he is in some ways. He likes that. It'll be easy to go off on tangents with her. But for now! He does the thing. Popping the door open with the large button in the lower right corner, he puts the plate in, and closes the door.]

Now for hot dogs, you don't need a lot of time. Thirty seconds will do it. So...push the "Time Cook" button. Hit three-zero. And then push "Start."

[And the microwave whirrs to life! Lights come on, noise happens, and the hot dog spins slowly on the glass tray.]

[myownhand]

[Don't mind the yelp of confusion. ITS TURNING ON--]

It's spinnin'! Why's it doin' that?

[THIS IS A MIRACLE OF MAGIC---!]

[skybluejeep]

It's to cook the food more evenly. You don't put meat on a spit and just leave it hanging in one spot, right? You turn it.

Okay, basically? There's a device in the back of the microwave that super-heats air very fast, and that air heats the food. But it'll only work if the door is closed. And it's only for food. I can't stress this enough. Don't put anything else in there. And again, no metal. No spoons in with your soup, okay?

[God, he never before realized the challenges of bringing somebody up to speed on thousands of years of science and industry. But she seems to want to know, and that's a pretty big deal for him. He likes that. So he'll teach her as much as he can.]

[myownhand]

...Alright, I think I got it.

[She's still watching this sorcery in action--]

So th'numbers here, they're countin' down th'time?

[No, there are no clocks in DunBroch.]

[skybluejeep]

Yup. You can set it up in increments of sixty seconds. Don't do too much longer than that, you'll burn stuff. Like...put it in for a minute, if it's still cold do another minute. That kind of thing.

[And the microwave bleeeeeeeps it's done.]

And you have achieved hot dog.

[myownhand]

....[GIVE HER A MOMENT.]

Y'can count time precisely now? Without usin' th'sun?

[This has been a Very Confusing Day with Merida.]

[skybluejeep]

[That makes him pause, and then slowly turn to her with the hot dog. She was from before clocks and he's teaching her about microwaves.]

...This is going to a really weird education you're getting here, you know that, right?

[myownhand]

I'm beginning t'see it very clearly.

[She is going to be inspecting the hotdog now tho, okay?]