ID   What is That?

ID   Why is it so Dirty?

You've been walking around the strange, colorful fortress that sits in the middle of the field. It's enclosed by fences, but there are no security guards here. So this is probably not against the law. But still, your face belies your confusion at such low quality material.

NO   ]they must make do with what they have[

NO   ]dont judge them too hard[

ID   I'm Not judging.

ID   I was Just going to Point Out the Obvious. It's Filthy.

ID   And this whole Space is Quite Small.

ID   How is this a Play Area?

ID   There's Hardly any room for even a Little Pony to Trot Around.

PI   pony, you say?

PI   maybe nori can `demonstrate` for you.

Pille elbows Norgintas, who lets out a low grunt.

NO   ]no[

PI   you`re not even going to try?

NO   ]miss morozov is too old for -[

PI   oh, because she`s too heavy? you lack the `strength?`

PI   let`s put the matter aside, little dina.

PI   nori is much too `weak.` perhaps i could, with my superior -

The next thing you know, you're on his back, your legs held carefully in his big arms. If your skirt gets a little wrinkled, Pille can always iron it before Mama or Papa sees.

NO   ]hold on miss morozov[

ID   I Am.

ID   Umm.

ID   Are you Sure this is Okay?

PI   where is your equestrian spirit, little dina? `u`

ID   ...

ID   Go, Horsey.

ID   A Lap, please.

Norgintas grunts again - which sounds close to a whinny, you suppose - and walks in a straight line, bouncing you a little. Rather than moving naturally, he makes sharp turns whenever he feels like, and you have to hold tightly onto his uniform to not get flung off. But you've ridden more difficult steeds.

ID   I think you are Very Strong, Norgintas.

ID   You could Even lift Pille like this if you Wanted to.

PI   now `there`s` an idea.

NO   ]dont come any closer[

PI   what? will a carrot make you feel better?

Norgintas cranes his head back at you, looking tired.

NO   ]miss morozov are you about finished[

ID   Yes, I think I Am.

ID   Can you drop me Off at that Circle Over There?

ID   I'd like to See How it's Used.

NO   ]that circle[

??   It's called a Merry Go Round.

Both you and your steed jolt to a stop. Underneath the circular contraption are a pair of eyes, blinking at you. You blink back.

ID   Do people Live in It?

Before you act further, Norgintas places you on the ground and stands in front of you. Pille grabs you from behind. It's the formation they employ whenever they sense danger - protection at the front, reassurance at the rear. You're certain Norgintas is giving the eyes a most menacing glare.

??   Are you bad guys?

The eyes - rather, the body attached to the eyes - scramble out from underneath the circle. Despite Norgintas towering over them, they have a toothy grin on their face.

??   I only ask since bad guys dress fancy and act scary and talk in funny voices.

??   And sort of look like you?

NO   ]whats that supposed to mean[

??   Y'know, like in those action movies!

NO   ]oh so eastern european stereotypes then[

PI   americans. `_`

??   Is this your first time in America?

ID   First Time?

??   Wow! No wonder you guys look so different.

??   Welcome to America!

??   Here, we wear T-shirts and basketball shorts!

??   See? Mine has bugs on it.

??   This is a low-cust, this is a grassy-hopper...

As the boy continues talking as if your servants haven't lived in this country longer than you've been alive, you wriggle your way out of Pille's hold and walk up to him.

ID   Who are You?

Behind you, you can hear Norgintas' heavy feet shuffling towards you. But Pille makes a grunt of some sort, and the footsteps stop.

The boy looks you up and down.

??   Are you a princess?

ID   No. I'm a Noble.

??   A noble what?

ID   What?

??   Well, whatever. I'm Mantis-Man!

??   I was on the lookout for bad guys. But there's just ants here.

??   So I was just seeing what they were doing.

??   Turns out they do a lot. Who has the time?

??   He he. Dumb ants.

ID   You're a Mantis?

??   No, I'm Mantis-Man!

??   A man with the power of all Manti-day!

He has his hands on his hips and his chin thrust valiantly upwards.

??   That's my goal, anyway.

??   I'm not a real hero yet. Since, y'know.

??   Laws.

??   But I will be! When I'm older!

ID   A Hero...

Things you haven't thought about in a long time come to mind.

ID   Like Knights and Warriors and Kings?

ID   With Big Swords and Crowns and Mighty Steeds?

??   Whoa.

??   What show are those guys from?

ID   Not Shows. My Books.

??   Books. Huh.

??   Well, the heroes I see usually just wear helmets and cool suits.

??   But they're probably the same.

??   As long as they do good and stop evil. In a cool way, obviously.

You look back at your servants, who observe your conversation quietly. Pille gives you a thumbs up.

ID   Yes, I Think they're like that.

ID   In Fact, I...

You lean toward him and lower your voice to a whisper, just in case.

ID   I wanted to be a Knight a Long time ago.

??   Knight? Like those big metal guys?

ID   Yes. With shiny Armor, and a big Sword, and, and -

ID   And a beautiful White Horse.

??   A horse?

??   I guess that'd be cool. Your steed or something.

??   What'd you do? As a knight?

ID   I didn't Do Anything.

ID   It was Just a Pretend Game for Babies.

It's his turn to lean in.

??   Wanna know a secret?

??   It's not 'pretending'.

??   It's 'practicing'. Because it might come true one day.

??   Big difference.

ID   But... isn't that Childish?

ID   To Act Like something you're Not?

Big girls don't 'play'. They sit properly, drink tea, and brush their hair, just like Diana does.

??   How?

??   It sounds like you just wanted to be your own type of hero.

??   And all the heroes I see are adults.

You can't think of anything else to say back.

??   (By the way...)

He has a strange way of whispering. It's harsh and loud, perhaps even more audible than his regular voice.

??   (By the way, when I'm not Mantis-Man...)

MC   (I'm Michael.)

ID   It's Nice to Meet You, Michael.

You perform a quick curtsy.

MC   Nice dress.

MC   Are you in 7th grade, too?

ID   I don't Know.

ID   Pille, What is my Grade?

You look back, and Pille smiles that soft, knowing smile.

PI   about the same, little dina.

As you leave (Norgintas says that all trips should have as few 'public witnesses' as possible), you wonder if you still have those old books in your closet.