March 22, 2015

I've settled into a routine. Well, in all honesty, "routine" is a strong word. In actuality, MyLittleMegara put me on top of a big, hand painted old jug-like thing (she said something about milk) after she deboxed me and I haven't moved. Why would I? One of my crystals might fall off! In any event, my routine was broken when I heard something shouting from below me.

"Hi!" came a voice, "I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs!"

                                                     
I looked down. Sure enough, there was an Olaf plush, gazing up at me and smiling. I couldn't help smiling back.

"I'm Anna!" I called back, waving.

"Anna?" he gasped, "Oh, wow. Hang on! I'm coming up there!"

Just like that, he jumped. He jumped at least twice my height and landed flawlessly at my feet. No falling, no loss of balance, just... flying, almost. Like he really was made of magical snow.

I'm not a plush and I don't know a ton about them, so I'm not sure if all of them can jump like that, but it was certainly impressive when Olaf did!

"Wow," Olaf said, "it really is you."

"Umm..." I tried to think if something witty to say, but my mind drew a total blank.

"You're totally awesome." The little snowman gazed up at me, awe etched on his features.

"I... well, I'm just Anna," I stammered. "I'm not the real Anna."

"Pick me up," Olaf ordered, surprising me. I did, and he gave me a serious look.

"Yes, you are. You're the real you. Just like I'm the real me. We aren't exact replicas of our characters, but we're really us," he explained.

I guess it sort of makes sense now (sort of) but I'm still pretty lost in the snowman's train of thought. At the time, I was completely nonplussed. How could we be something but not be something at the same time? So I did my best to smile and look completely sane while agreeing with Olaf.

He seemed satisfied, because he hopped out of my arms and off of the milk jug, shouting "Come on, let's go exploring!" over his shoulder in my general direction.

"Wait... what? You mean, leave my stand?" I was shocked.

"Of course!" He grinned toothily at me like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"No." I said.

"N-no?"

"No! MyLittleMegara would never... I could be damaged!"

Olaf waddled back over. "Anna," he promised, "You'll be fine. Trust me."

I took a deep breath and slid off of the uncomfortable stand. It felt good to be able to stretch my legs, test out my articulation. Carefully, I swung myself over the edge of the jug. I held onto the handle, then jumped as lightly as I could. Olaf had been right! It was wonderful feeling. I thought I might have been able to run around the entire room, singing my heart out and relishing every second.

Instead, I turned to Olaf. "Thank you," I said, offering him my hand.

He took it, and together we walked out into the middle of the room. Rather than heading for the hall, Olaf veered left, pulling me along with him. I let him walk me over to a huge window where I could see the sky and the yard and another house and an entire world waiting to be explored.

I just stood there with my mouth open, awed by what little I knew and how big the world must be.

"Watch," Olaf whispered.

I did.

Slowly, things began to change. A robin flew over the fence and onto the grass, chirping a few notes like the melody of a minstrel's lute.

Then the sky began to shift. The solid blue was streaked with pale pink, like Someone was painting the sky.

Before my eyes, the pink was joined by orange and indigo and crimson and finally violet, all of it melting into the velvety softness of night. I couldn't help myself; when the last colors muted into navy I clapped my hands for joy.

Olaf joined in happily and our applause rang in the room. When we stopped clapping, I picked Olaf up and gave him the warmest hug I possibly could.

-Anna

PS: I think I got my followers widget up and running now, Vanessa and Aighmi*.