those you've pained may carry that still with them (intro)

[bemystory]

Wendla's not sure where she is at first. She remembers being ripped from her mama's arms, remembers the doctor's office and all its scary apparatuses, and—now?

She's in the middle of what appears to be a large Plaza, with people milling about, talking to each other, going about their daily lives.

The teenage girl steps forward towards a stranger, for a moment, about to speak, but she's shy, and thus withdraws, wringing her hands nervously. She's still in her nightgown, with a shawl around her neck that makes her look quite out of place and time—because she is, in a way.

Still, she sees the pamphlets strewn about, telling her about this place, and now she knows she has to say something, to ask something.

So Wendla gathers herself, and asks:

"Excuse me, I'm very hungry. Where can I find something to eat?"

Comments

[alittlehinky]

"Nah, ain't a mean bone in her body." Cricket smiles. "When she was little, she used to like wearing little hats and costumes. The ones she had don't fit her so well now, but she likes it when I put ribbons in her hair and whatnot."

Willie is basically an oversized prissy princess, is what he means.

He nudges the pup gently and points the way he wants to go, and she moves off at a leisurely pace, glancing back with a wagging tail to make sure Wendla is coming, too. "Reckon we'll just go to this diner I know," he says. "It's close, and they have all kinds of food. Not sure what you're used to, or if you got any dietary restrictions or whatever. Most people seem to be good with pancakes, no matter what."

"You mind telling me when you come from? And where?"

[bemystory]

Wendla's stomach grumbles. Pancakes sound very good right about now to her.

"I'm from Germany," she says. "And when? Do you mean what year? I'm from 1891."

She looks around her as she follows Cricket and Willie, trying not to gawk at the other people milling about, going on errands, and so forth. This is still all so new to her.

[alittlehinky]

"That's right," he nods and smiles encouragingly. "Germany, huh? Ain't been there. I'm from America. It was 1931 last time I was there. People from all kinds of times and places end up here. It's gonna seem weird, but most folks are friendly."

Willie deliberately keeps her pace easy so the girl on foot has less trouble keeping up. It's only a few dozen yards and around a corner before they get to the diner.

"Sorry t'ask," he says to Wendla, "but would you mind holding the door for me? Only it's tricky while I'm on Willie's back."

[bemystory]

"America! That must be so exciting," she says, clearly impressed. "And yes, of course I can hold the door for you, it's truly no problem at all."

She's pretty much really excited for those pancakes, Cricket. This diner had better be good.

When they get to the diner, she grabs the door and holds it open, just as she said she would. She smiles a little at Willie, obviously charmed by her.