001 Ω first level (east side); second level

[irrationaling]

[ Alice has found herself bored. It's only natural for such a curious and explorative girl to become bored after having looked through most of the nooks and crannies of the city, not to mention the fact that the city isn't quite as interesting as her own Wonderland, which she feels she could rediscover time and time again and never get bored in

Comments

[scotopic]

... You're asking me to dance. [B seems a little puzzled about that, actually.]

[scotopic]

Still, you have quite a few years before the crossword puzzle becomes common. In fact, you may be too senile by that time to enjoy the cognitive pleasures of such word puzzles.

[irrationaling]

Oh dear, that might prove quite the problem. I'd like to try them out someday though, puzzles do sound very interesting.

[scotopic]

I suppose if we're unable to locate any in the shops here, I could always draw one up for you.

[irrationaling]

... Would you really? [ There's maybe even some surprise in her words. She hasn't been shown much generosity in general in her life, after all. ]

I wouldn't mind trying my hand at one at all.

[scotopic]

Of course. [The surprise is noted, though B doesn't visibly respond to it. Interesting girl.] I'll have to work at making it not terribly difficult for you to solve, I imagine.

[irrationaling]

I've dealt with tougher puzzles already back home. You don't have to go easy on me.

[ because that almost feels like an insult to her - even if it just downright is. ]

[scotopic]

I wouldn't underestimate the mental exertion required for a crossword puzzle, Alice. It might be quite different from the sorts of puzzles you're accustomed to.

[irrationaling]

I've seen plenty different kinds of puzzles before, though. Involving blocks, notes, riddles-- I'm still trying to figure out some of the latter kind, actually.

[scotopic]

I'm quite good at riddles, too. Perhaps I could help.

[irrationaling]

Well, there was this one riddle.. [ She's quiet for a moment. ]

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

[scotopic]

Oh, is that all?

[irrationaling]

It's the one I was most curious about, even though I had already thought of a few answers.

[scotopic]

What possible answers had you come up with?

[irrationaling]

I thought that perhaps the answer was.. because Poe wrote on both.

[scotopic]

Hm ... I suppose that is one way one might answer it. Anything else?