Alantril: Now these are called "cupcakes". The caretaker brings them to us sometimes. They're delicious and you should eat as many as you can get. Unless they're all chocolate, in which case they're mine.
Annica:Alantril! I've been looking for you everywhere! I need to ask you about...
Alantril: Oh! Annica! Come up here! I need to introduce you.
Alantril: Annica, this is the new Arivan! Her change went well. Arivan, this is Annica. We live with her and her husband Aria.
Annica: Oh...ummm...hi....
Alantril: Now sit and tell me what you wanted to ask me. I don't know what happened to all of the cupcakes, if that is your question.
Annica: No, I need to know about The Change.
Annica: How contagious is it? When does it reverse?
Alantril: Contagious? The Change is not contagious. It's a genetic thing, though sometimes one person's change can trigger another's. That's only in our species though. Nothing will happen to those outside of our species.
Annica: But...
Alantril: There's no reason to worry about her. One who goes through The Change becomes "new". They retain few if any of their old memories, but they still have the general "heart" of the person. That doesn't change. She's still a good person.
Annica: But....When will it wear off? How long before it reverses?
Alantril: It doesn't.
Arivan: Doesn't Annica like me?
Annica: ....Of course I!....Oh, Alantril! There has to be a way to reverse it! There has to be!
Alantril: Annica, try to understand: it's going to be alright! You'll like the new Arivan!
Annica: But it's not...
Alantril: Oh! You didn't tell me that we had company! Hi there! Come on up. What's your name?
Visitor: My name is Aria.
Alantril: Oh! That's the same name as Annica's husband!
Alantril: Oh....Oh my....
Annica: *sob*
To be continued....
