[Visual]

[der_vogelfanger]

[The scroll unfurls to reveal a pegasus on a complaining jag.] I knew something like this would happen. I told them I wasn't the right person to go on a quest -- but now I've been here for days and I don't know the way back and -- and --

This is all Tamino's fault. Tamino, where are you? You weren't supposed to leave me alone!

[He sighs and sniffles to himself for a little while, apparently not having much to say even though he did turn the scroll on on purpose. It's been a rough time for him, roughing it in the woods and trying to stay away from all those fog monsters. Even once the fog and the monsters disappeared, he couldn't find his way home. No part of the forest he'd spent the last few days exploring looked familiar at all. And, though he won't admit it, he's not just annoyed with Tamino -- he's worried for him, too, and for Pamina. It was the prince's job to protect Papageno, but it was also Papageno's job to protect the prince and princess, and the last he saw of Tamino the other man was in a dungeon.]

Why did that stupid prince have to get himself lost?

Comments

[neighfeni]

[A somewhat familiar pony blips on the magic scroll, and she puts a hoof to her chin in thought.]

Ah ain't heard of any princes 'round here, but are ya sure it's wise to call him 'stupid'?

[der_vogelfanger]

Oh, to the devil with all princes! If it weren't for him, I'd be warm at home!

[Siiiiigh. He plops down on his haunches, fluffing up his wings and looking worried.] There's no knowing what kind of trouble he'll find for himself now.

[neighfeni]

Still above ya, ain't he?

Besides, ain't any noble's fault you an' Ah are stuck here. Pretty sure we'd have gotten stuck here anyway.

[She's not sure why she feels that way, but she does.]

Do ya got a place to stay here?

[der_vogelfanger]

Nothing exciting ever happened to me before he came along, and that was the way I liked it. He probably gets turned into a horse every other week with the way he goes around looking for trouble.

[He shakes his head.] I lost my way in the woods and just found this place again today.

[neighfeni]

Well, nothin' excitin' happened to me 'fore some fool king got bees in his bonnet and decided to invade my land. Ya just gotta do what ya can to fix stuff.

[She taps her chin with a hoof, then nods.]

Why don'tcha stay at my place for a bit until we can get ya somewhere better. Ah got a few extra cots.

[She's gotten used to this, and she doesn't actually mind.]

[der_vogelfanger]

If I have to stay here, I think I'll build myself a new straw hut. I miss the old one -- nice and snug in winter, no one dragging me out on adventures or turning me into an animal.

But I wouldn't mind any place to sleep just now.