
Dear Hawk,
Now, on with the two strange people who just fell out of my mirror. Totally normal.

Me: *waves* Erm, hello? Strangers that fell out of my mirror?
???: *blinks groggily* Um, who are you? Why have you brought us here?
Me: Brought you here?
You just decided to topple out of my mirror yourself. Now, answer my question - who are you, and what are you doing here?
???: Or you'll...?
Me: I'll.... *looks around and picks up my sword* stab you with my sword!
The boy's eyes widened and the girl took a step back. As the boy just stared off into space, the girl finally spoke.
???: Well... I'm Laura. Laura Brand...
Me: Your name's weird.
Laura: It's normal for us, anyways. And this is - *gives the guy beside her a nudge*
???: *stares off into space*
Laura: Um, O -
???: *blinks and touches head* Your... sword isn't electrical.
Me: Electrical? Why would it be? *swings it through the air and nearly slices my mirror in half* Whoops.
Laura: *coughs* Um, because, no reason... Wait a second. You haven't told us your name.
Me: His name first.
???: Who, me?
Me: You're in the girl's dorm. Do you see another boy in this room?
???: Well -
Me: No. Now, tell me your name, or I'll... *tries looking threatening*
???: Do you need to go to the bathroom?
Me: *chokes* No! I mean, why do you ask?
???: *sighs* Never mind. I'm Otto Malpense.
Me: ... Both of your names are weird. Well, I'm Skyler Swiftrunner -
Otto: Your name is weird. At least your last name.
Me: Nope, it's
normal.
Otto: Normal. Right. Like having fur and paws is
normal.
Me: Yup.
Both of them shared a look.
Me: I saw that.
Laura: *raises eyebrow* So... you're telling me you've had fur and paws for all your life?
Me: Why not?
Laura: Well, it's because... Um...
Otto: We're humans. Or
were humans, anyways...
Me: Humans?
Otto: You don't know what are humans?
Me: Are they a type of fish?
Otto: ... Never mind. Well, how about you do some explaining?
Me: No, not yet.
You do some explaining. Go on.
Otto: *sighs* Well -
Laura: *steps on his paw* Well, we come from... this school. If we tell you... will you tell anyone else?
Me: Erm, what?
Laura: It's a secret.
Me: Oh. Um, okay.
Laura: Really? Well, then, the school is called H.I.V.E, and we're students there. We were testing out this... teleporter that Professor Pike made -
Me: Teleporter? Professor Pike?
Otto: They're - um, never mind.
Laura: And it was supposed to teleport us to the other side of the school. But when we tried it, we're... here. At this place. *waves paws around*
Me: Riiight.
I stopped talking for a moment and stared at them
creepily suspiciously.
Otto: It's true!
Me: Okay...? So, you're telling me you're actually a couple of fish that stepped out of a teleporting magic mirror and into this world?
Otto: We're not fish.
Laura: *shoves him* Aye, that's basically it.
Me: So can't you just step through the mirror and out of my room?
Laura: Hey... that could work! It's so simple and easy - why didn't we think about that? *shoves Otto towards the mirror*
Otto stumbled and smashed his snout onto the mirror. It shook a little and a small crack appeared at the edge.
Me: Erm, nope. Not that simple.
Laura: How will we get back now?!
Otto: Well, I don't know -
Me: I know! How about we ask a friend of mine?
Otto: But -
Me: Come on! *rushes outside*
I heard them trying to follow me. They tripped over their paws and faceplanted the floor. Being the very nice person I am, I ignored them and continued down the corridor.
When I finally reached the library, I looked back.
Otto: *gasps for breath* Wait up!
Laura: *stumbles into room* Is this... a library?!
Me: We can read, too. *looks around* Now, where is he?
Almost at once, a familiar figure stepped out from the shadows.

Otto: Why is he so... short?
Laura: *gently hits him on the head* You're short, too.
Otto: But not -
Lucifer: *frowns at them* It's happening already? It's coming too quickly - we must -
Me: *cough* Erm, guys...? This is Lucifer, and he's my friend.
Otto: Will he eat my soul?
Lucifer: I am merely a normal dog with the disease called 'PPS'. It's not infectious. And no, I will not eat your soul.
Otto: A relief.
Me: Anyways, Lucifer, do you have any books on dogs falling out mirrors?
Lucifer: Well... Now that you mention books...
Lucifer paused for a moment and tilted his head to the side.
Lucifer: I may have some... contacts that will know further about this.
Me: Cool. Can you... um, do some summony magic -
Lucifer: 'Summony'?
Me: You know, summoning dogs and teleporting stuff...?
Lucifer: Ah. You mean shadow walking?
Me: Whatever you call it. Get one of your friends here -
Lucifer: 'Friends'?
Me: - and we'll... do stuff.
Lucifer: *sighs* The modern world uses too many strange, slang words. *steps back into the shadow and vanishes*
Laura: So... can I... we... read here?
Me: No, you don't. You skydive here.
Laura: Sarcasm. Right. *walks over to a shelf and pulls out a book* 'The Wars'? So you have a World War 1, World War -
Me: What's that?
Laura: Don't tell me... *flips through book* What's 'The Battle for the Skies'?
Me: Oh, um, great battle... of the skies?
Laura: ... Okay?
Me: Planes, jets, Air Force, wings, those kinds.
Laura: Right. Like us - wait a second. Wings?!
Otto: He's here?
Laura: No - ah, never mind. You dogs... have wings?
Me: It's not all dogs. *spreads wings* Griffins, cats, those kinds.
Laura: So you can... perform unlimited flight with your wings?
Me: What's 'unlimited'?
Laura: *ignores me* But I thought wings could only lift birds because birds' bones are so hollow?
Me: Well...
Suddenly, Lucifer stepped out of the shadows. Behind him was...

Me: Xenos?! You know -
Xenos: We can talk about that later. *glances at Otto and Laura* Oh, dear. This cannot be happening so soon!
Me: What soon?
Xenos: We must finish the portal as soon as possible -
Lucifer: Haven't you finished it already?
Xenos: Well, it's been -
Me: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!
Xenos: ... Something... you may learn about when you're older.
Lucifer shared a glance with Xenos. Xenos just shook his head and turned back to us.
Xenos: I'll finish the portal as soon as possible.
Lucifer: Where should they go, then?
Xenos: You'll have to care for them.
Otto: Excuse me, old man, we don't need to be 'cared for' -
Xenos: Just... I'll get it ready. It'll be done by tonight.
Lucifer: It has to be done by tonight.
Xenos: *nods* Let's get back now.
Lucifer: How about them?
Xenos: They... They'll have to stay close to the headquarters. You'll have to protect them.
Lucifer: Wouldn't that be dangerous?
Xenos: There's no choice. Shadow walk us to the closest, most 'normal' place possible.
Lucifer: ... Very well, then. Come on.
Xenos and Lucifer started walking towards the shadowy wall. We just stared at them.
Xenos: *turns back* What are you waiting for? Come on.
We hurried after them and stopped in front of the wall.
Lucifer: Step in.
Otto: But we'll be just walking into a wall -
Laura: This is technically impossible -
Me: Everything's possible! *shoves them into wall and jumps in after*
Purple shadows leaped around Lucifer and suddenly a chill rushed down that bone in my back. (What's it called again? A spin... no, a spoon... wait, what?) Suddenly it was gone and we reappeared in a bright, sunny place.
Otto: *reads the sign* Starbarks?
Laura: Isn't it 'Starbucks'?
Me: What's that?
Lucifer: *sighs* Sit down and drink something. I'll be just... here.
Xenos: *raises eyebrow and hurries away*
Me: 'Here'? How about you come with us too?
Lucifer: I don't drink coffee.
Me: There's other stuff as well! *grabs him by the tails and drags him towards it*
We found ourselves a nice table with four seats outside Starbarks. An umbrella thing was attached to the table and gave us shade from the sun.
Me: It's warm even though its winter.
Laura: Some places on Earth are like that.
Me: 'Earth'?
Otto: How about you two stop talking and actually get ourselves a drink?
Laura: *snorts* Fine. Do you have money?
Otto: Well, I don't, but I could make the cashing machine think I actually inserted money -
Me:

Erm, how?
Otto: Well -
Laura: *slaps him*
Otto: Ow! *notices I'm staring at him* Um, nothing.
Me: *raises eyebrow* I have money. I'll get three... *glances at Lucifer* four cold chocolates?
Lucifer: It's a drink.
Lucifer looked very uncomfortable just sitting there. I would have laughed at his expression if it wasn't for all those dogs walking by.
Me: So I'll buy it?
Laura: I don't want to waste your money... how about me and Otto share?
Me: Erm, okay. If you're okay with that.
Otto: *blushes* Um, sure! I'd love it!
Me: *pauses for a moment* Wait. You're a couple, aren't you?
They were both bright red and looking at anywhere but me or each other. Lucifer tilted his head to the side.
Lucifer: What's a 'couple'?
Me: Shipping! How about... Laurto? No, wait, that sounds weird... how about Ottra?
Laura: Just go get our drinks!
Me: *grins* Fine, I will!
I quickly bought us three cold chocolate drinks.

Me: So... now what?
Lucifer: Now... we wait. *takes a careful sip of the chocolate* This drink... is quite strange.
Otto: You have normal drinks like us, too?
Laura: *looks at the menu* Yeah, everything seems normal... most of it, anyways.
Me: It's completely normal! What's 'weird' about it?
Laura: The name - oh, never mind.
We sat in silence for a while, finishing the drinks.
Otto: It's almost Christmas.
Me: I thought it was Halloween!
Otto: It passed ages ago.
Me: So they missed the Halloween Party? Really?!
Laura: You guys have parties? Lucky you.
Me: And it's going to be my second Christmas.... dance party thing.
Laura: There's a dance? Oh, wait. *looks at me* You have a crush?
Me: Well... *blushes* No - um, yes. I'm actually not sure...
Laura: You mean - *glances at Otto* - like him? You like the guy so much but he doesn't notice?
Me: Well... basically...
I paused for a moment. Again. What was I doing talking to a stranger about my 'love life'?! Laura seems nice, though... so I decided to go on.
Me: He likes me. There were two guys liking me... I had to choose one, so I... did. The other guy isn't very happy... but he's still my friend, though he's rather upset... And the guy who likes me has been giving me stuff... but I don't know how to react or what to do, or if we're even a... couple.
Laura: ... I wish Shelby was here. She's the best at these kinds of things.
Me: Shelby? One of your friends?
Laura: Aye. But from my own experience... I guess if you really want to be a couple, you'll have to talk to him, too. You like him, right?
Me: I... think so.
Laura: Then just talk to him! Don't wait - just start talking.
Me: Are you sure -
Otto: *yawns* Are you girls done talking about your girly girl stuff yet?
Me&Laura: ...
Me: Can I punch him?
Laura: Well, I'd rather -
Me: *punches him in the face*
Otto: Ow!
Laura: Never mind. *shrugs*
Lucifer: *sighs* The violence.
We sat there for afternoon and evening, chatting and occasionally slapping Otto. Finally, Xenos reappeared and rushed up to our table.
Xenos: The portal's ready. Come on.
Lucifer: Does it work? *gets up*
Xenos: Hopefully.
Me: What?
We hurried out of Starbarks - I glanced over at the bathrooms and smiled, remembering me and Splash's adventure. Shapeshifting monsters, stinky sewers - good times.
We found an alley with a dead end and hurried into it. Xenos looked around to see if we were being watched, then pulled out a gadget thing and... a book.
Otto: What's the book for?
Xenos: You wouldn't understand. *attaches gadget to a book* Ready?
Laura: I hope it works.
Otto: If it doesn't, we might be zapped into millions of atoms and spread across the world.
Laura: What a comforting thought. *slaps him again*
Otto: Ow!
Lucifer: It seems that they're ready. *reaches over and presses a button*
The book and the gadget began to glow with a white light. It became a dog-sized rip on the ground. We stared into the white, swirling hole.
Xenos: *steps back* Ready?
Laura: Aye.
Otto: Let's get this bloody thing done.
Lucifer: You may step forward.
Me: Bye! *waves*
Otto: See ya! *jumps in*
Laura: *pauses for a moment, then turns to me* Hope we see each other again. Goodbye, Skyler.
Me: Bye, Laura.
Laura: *steps in*
They vanished from sight. The portal flickered, then vanished. Xenos closed the book and I looked at the book.
Me: H.I.V.E's a book?!
Lucifer: Not only a book, but a dimension.
Me: That's... weird. So -
Xenos: You'd better get going now. You have your boyfriend to get to, right?
Me: What?! I -
Xenos: Go on. You don't want to miss your Christmas Dance.
Me: I -
Xenos: And you. *turns to Lucifer* Are you doing alright with Hurricane?
Lucifer:

I...
Xenos: *chuckles* Good luck on your love lives. *walks off*
Me: You like -
Lucifer: We don't need to talk about this. *shadow walks away*
Me: Oi! Come back here! *grabs at empty air*
I finally turned away and started to walk back to school, my mind clouded with thoughts as I scribbled away in you.
So... yeah. I'm done with writing what happened today... Well, see you, Hawk. I've got... stuff to do
like sleeping.