<PennyLane> Honestly I actually expect this is related to the cubism.

<argylecape> That seems possible. Though it seems like if someone can be just that much Picasso and no more, and be walking around fine, that's still pretty surprising.

<PennyLane> It's sort of what I mean when I say we don't understand cubism.

<PennyLane> Did I tell you about the girl selling cookies?

<argylecape> Nope.

<PennyLane> Okay so a while ago

<PennyLane> Bit before we met actually

<PennyLane> My dad and I were mapping the Sideways and we ran into this new import called Dave while we were being chased by this girl scout Picasso

<PennyLane> She didn't really know she was a Picasso, they never do, she just wanted to sell cookies

<PennyLane> And she cornered us, and we thought we were done for, but then Dave paid her

<PennyLane> Just, like. Threw money at her.

<PennyLane> She thanked him and went away.

<argylecape> That sounds like what I've heard from them, too, yeah.

<argylecape> The one in the tower had an attitude problem that I don't think had anything to do with him being a Picasso at all.

<PennyLane> Right, so

<PennyLane> Everything we know about Picassos say the girl shouldn't have vanished just because we paid her

<PennyLane> But she did

<PennyLane> So I think Picassos may... not be all bad

<PennyLane> Kinda stuck

<PennyLane> They don't really realize they're Picassos, most of the time

<PennyLane> They're stuck in a loop, a single moment forever, and if you break them out of the loop then that helps

<PennyLane> But then being a Picasso has a lot to do with how you think, what your brain's doing.

<argylecape> That makes sense. As much as Picassos do at all, anyway.

<PennyLane> Yeah

<PennyLane> So your friend knows a lot about the Sideways, spent time there, and is part-cubist

<PennyLane> That might just mean they're, you know, sort of in-between

<argylecape> Yeah.

<argylecape> Maybe I'll be able to introduce you sometime, after this is all over

<argylecape> I bet you'd get along.

<PennyLane> I'd like to meet them!

<PennyLane> You said they didn't know about the cubism thing, though, how'd they react when you told them?

<argylecape> They were pretty worried.

<argylecape> I think most people would be.

<PennyLane> But they're okay now?

<argylecape> Yeah.

<PennyLane> *nod*

<PennyLane> Can Sadde use any more Picasso powers?

<argylecape> I don't think they've tried.

<argylecape> What kind of powers?

<PennyLane> Like how they're in many places at the same time or don't age or don't really get permanently hurt unless they're completely set on fire

<argylecape> I'll have to ask sometime.

<PennyLane> Cool!

<PennyLane> Earlier today I went out to try to meet new people

<PennyLane> And I met people!

<PennyLane> A girl named Milly and a boy named Lucas

<PennyLane> Turns out Lucas's parents are the programmers who made EchoMap!

<argylecape> Oh, that's cool.

<PennyLane> It really is!

<PennyLane> And they've got these movie things going, Lucas and Milly Productions is what they're called I think

<PennyLane> Lucas is really talented

<PennyLane> But Milly's parents are sort of super paranoid about everything and keep her almost locked up all the time, she has to wear so many coats just to go out

<PennyLane> It's because she's fragile and has a weak immune system?

<PennyLane> But it's this kind of paranoia that the DoS causes in people

<argylecape> Ugh.

<PennyLane> Milly is also terrified of the Sideways

<PennyLane> I didn't mention I do mapping because I think it'd freak her out

<PennyLane> She might get paranoid about catching cubism even though that's not how it works

<argylecape> Do you know how it does work?

<PennyLane> Well

<PennyLane> Not really

<PennyLane> But I've been going into the Sideways since I was little and I've even been to red-blacks and I never got infected so like

<PennyLane> Either I have some weird immunity or it can't be that easy

<PannyLane> And dad didn't get infected either even though mom did...