#fenixtj

(Maybe unpause?)

"Mmmph?" Salma asks, groping for her glasses. "Is it breakfast already? It's still dark."

"We had a prank played on us."

Ariel stretches then blinks "We're trapped in?"

She checks another hole.

"Ohhhhhh. Careful that you do not get your fingers snipped off!" She slides down off the top bunk with a soft thud.

"I think it might be Bonk. Bonk likes pranks..."

In another hole there is a ..a book! It feels like a book

"Did I never tell you the story of my good friend Derecha? She stuck her left hand in a hole to see if she could find a prize, and it disappeared! Then she stuck her left foot in to kick whatever took it, and her foot disappeared as well!"

"Ohhh, I think it's a book..." She pulls it out.

"Do you not want the book, Salma?" A gentle tease.

She does drift closer, interested. "I suppose it is okay. After all, my friend, she is all right now."

"And see, a doll!"

It would appear to be the first book in something called 'Redwall

Ellie offers it to Salma.

Ariel moves forward "Wait, we're blocked in by GIFTS?" She shoves a hand into another 'hole'

She accepts it. "Oh, it has animals.... A red wall from a black wall?"

"Animals are good. Did you know the one about the mouse with a motorcycle?"

And pulls out a toy horse "OH I think this one is yours, Ellie. It looks like Maximus and is big enough for your rapunzel doll to get on!"

A little coo.

"A mouse cannot ride a motorcycle, it would burn up his tail!" She giggles at the silly idea. "Princesca, you should beware a pooka bearing gifts. Though if it is from Senor Dillo, he is no bear, so it may be alright. Though, it IS bribery, no?" She clutches at the book though, reluctant at the thought of giving it back!

"Well, Jessica will make the choice. And it must be the one who makes her smile. What else is in there?"

"I do not know if she does smile. Maybe she is wearing a mask and the smile is hidden underneath? We may need a crow bar to see."

"...and a ladder." She adds thoughtfully.

"That is why she needs a good jester."

A giggle from Ariel at the comment about jessica

Another book found... The Fantastic Mr. Fox

"Oh, El Superzorro! I have seen this one, but was not allowed to read it!" She eyes that one with covetous delight.

"It's awful thick... " Ariel observes

But.. the reason is seen why! On the opposite side and upside down (or right side up) is the same book in Spanish!

Two books in one!

English version / Spanish version

"Oh, that must be for Salma, too... there must be something for you, Ariel..." Checking another pocket.

A harmonica is found!

"Para mi?" Her eyes widen, surprised. "The last one, he belonged to la señorita elegante, and she did not like that I read better than her. So I was not to touch her books. She would be naughty just to get me extra stripes, but it was worth it to sneak a peek sometimes. She did not understand that I am a burra and not a cebra like you do."

"That's mean." A little scowl.

"I didn't understand all that," Ariel says "But it sounds like someone tried to stripe your hide for reading and I don't like that. Anyone tries that near me, I'm gonna kick em in the shin!"

"You can have as many books as you like, if I have any say."

A snort.

"Ariel, look!" Harmonica held out to the satyress.

"oooo.. and it isn't one of those plastic ones.. it's a REAL .. ooh can I?" Ariel says

"Oh, a harmónica! Will you play it for us?"

And a smile to Ellie, and a soft pat on her arm. "It is okay, because since I was so naughty there, they sent me to you. And now I am your trouble, si?" Looking pleased at that.

"You are my friend. Not... you know that, right?"

"Be happy too!" Ariel says "And Ellie speaks for me too."

"As you say, Princesca." She replies obligingly. "Is she the Lorax, that speaks for the Ariels? I can read you that one next."

A little wrinkle between her pretty eyebrows.

"Are you only my friend because you think it's your job?"

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. "No, Princesca. Or as Bonk might say, Yes? I am your muchacha, and I am glad of it, but you are also my amiga. Ariel, too. And that is not a job!" She pauses, thoughtfully. "Or it might be, but it is a... happy one?"

She bites on her lip, uncertain.