Lu stood with her arms crossed, tilting her head as she watched Al float lazily in the air before her. His pages rustled gently, a slight golden glow emanating from the cracks between them. He was, without question, her most constant companion in this vast, empty world of white—a floating almanac who somehow became her guide, mentor, and... well, only friend.
Lu tilted her head, studying him with a curious frown. She had asked him so many questions already, but this one had been nagging at her for a while. Finally, she couldn't hold it in any longer.
"You know," she began, her tone light and teasing, "it's really funny. Not too long ago, you were practically shoving me into the unknown, urging me to learn, to figure out what this white world even was." She stepped closer to Al, her eyes gleaming with playful defiance. "And now look at you, Mr. Almanac. So anxious, so jittery. What happened to all that confidence, huh?" She laughed—a bright, carefree sound that echoed across the mirror lake and up into the endless sky.
Al's cover snapped open, his pages flipping dramatically as he puffed himself up. "Excuse me!" His voice dripped with sass, the golden letters on his spine glowing faintly as if to underline his indignation. "First of all, I wasn't 'shoving' you. I was guiding you, like the wise, omniscient being that I am."
Lu snorted, her grin widening. "Oh sure, 'wise and omniscient.' Is that what you call nagging me to stop staring at clouds and start asking questions about existence? Sounds more like a motivational speaker having a mid-life crisis."
Al sputtered, his pages flapping even harder. "I'll have you know—"
"Uh-huh," Lu cut him off, holding up a hand. "You know what's really funny, Al? You're all about knowledge and learning, but the moment I actually do something, you start freaking out. Hypocrisy much?"
Al's spine stiffened, his golden lettering practically glowing with exasperation. "It's not hypocrisy! It's... it's prudence! There's a difference, Lu! You don't just throw roses and thorns and time into existence without considering the consequences! Creation isn't a game!"
Lu giggled, her eyes twinkling as she leaned closer to him. "Suuure it's not, Al. Whatever you say."
Al's pages froze mid-flap, as if realizing he was being mocked. If he had the ability to sweat drop, he certainly would have in that moment. Instead, he hovered back slightly, creating a little more distance between them. Lu tilted her head, her smile softening but not fading. She regarded him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, she took a step back, her hands clasped behind her as she gazed up at the gothic clock, its hands still ticking steadily. When she looked back at Al, her smile shifted—subtle, almost imperceptible, but enough to make something deep within Al's pages twist uncomfortably. It wasn't the bright, carefree grin she usually wore. It was quieter, sharper, carrying a weight that felt... wrong.
"Hey, Al," she called out, breaking the silence.
"Urgh... What is it Lu?" Al's voice echoed from within the pages of his book, deep and steady. "You know," she began, voice full of curiosity, "I've been wondering for a while now," Lu began, her tone serious but with a mischievous edge. "How do you... fly? I mean, you're a book! How does a book fly?"
Al froze mid-air, his pages fluttering dramatically before they snapped shut. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. "...Really, Lu?" Al finally replied, his voice flat. "Is that seriously the question you want to ask? After everything we've been through together?"
Lu blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, no, that's not the right question!" She slapped a hand to her forehead dramatically. "I mean, no, no, I've got it. How can a book talk?"
There was another long pause. The sound of the lake's ripples seemed louder now, as if even the world itself was waiting for Al's response. After few chapters and now, AND NOW SHE WANTS TO KNOW HOW I CAN TALK?!
Lu raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "What? Is my question not relevant?" she asked, eyes narrowing as if she'd just discovered some grand mystery.
Al paused in mid-air, his pages briefly coming to a standstill. The silence stretched for a beat too long. Al definitely in a lot of internal chaos as he try to hold back from smacking her head.
"....."
Lu raised an eyebrow, waiting for a response, but there was nothing. She blinked, then gave him a playful nudge. "You okay there dictionary-encyclopedia-book of wisdom Al ?"
"...Lu," Al said, his voice tinged with exasperation. Al's pages fluttered open in a huff, and his voice came through with all the exasperation of an ancient being being endlessly pestered. "I try to not make things dramarama, so.... It's not that your question isn't relevant," he muttered and take a deep breath, "it's just... well, it's not exactly the most important thing right now, is it?" Al fly over her, I need to make some sense on her white empty brain!
"How are you even asking this? You've created a whole world! You've made time exist. You made that creepy rose-covered grandfather clock! You've got these magical powers no one can explain, and you're asking me HOW A BOOK CAN TALK?" His voice dropped, almost sarcastic. "At least I'm consistent and an existence that wide-know kind of thing book. You, on the other hand... you create things out of thin air and then wonder how I exist?"
Lu tilted her head the other way, unconvinced. "Oh, come on, Al! If I'm going to live in a world where time exists, and I can make creepy roses grow out of creepy grandfather clocks, I think how you talk is a pretty big deal!" Lu puffed her cheeks, "I have brains now thanks to you. I can think and I know normal book out there can't talk!"
Al let out a dramatic sigh that made the corners of his pages flutter with irritation. "You really don't make any sense, do you?"
Lu raised both eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"Yeah," Al continued, floating closer with a haughty air, "you exist, you can create a mirror lake out of thin air then asking about how I—"
Lu interrupted him with a casual wave. "But I didn't make you! You're here talking, floating, probably thinking you're the wise one in all this mess. You're a book!"
Al paused, his pages flipping in frustration. "Look, just because you can manipulate the world like a child playing with clay doesn't mean you have the right to ask me questions. You created time out of nothing. I think we both know you're not exactly lacking in... abilities."
Lu blinked, her mouth opening and closing like she was trying to catch a fly. "But—"
"No!" Al interrupted, his voice louder this time. "I mean, come on! You're literally the one who made a whole sky and a mirror lake—in an instant! IN THIS WHITE WORLD! And now you want to know how a talking book can fly?"
Lu grinned sheepishly, shrugging with an exaggerated nonchalance. "Yeah, I guess... that does sound a little weird when you say it out loud."
"That's because it is weird!" Al retorted, his pages flicking back and forth in apparent agitation. "And don't get me started on that clock. You made time happen, Lu. Time. And now you're questioning how I can fly? You've got the world bending to your will, and you're asking me how a book can fly? It's almost like you're ignoring your own magic, or whatever it is that you're doing!"
Lu crossed her arms, looking at him with a smirk. "Alright, alright, I get it. No need to be on repeating loop of creating talk." Lu sighs deeply and try to make it like a drama. "But you can't just leave me hanging like this, Al. You're literally the only other 'thing' in this world. Who else am I supposed to ask?"
Al huffed, his pages rustling with the sound of an exasperated sigh. "You're right. I'm the only one here. But that doesn't mean I have to answer everything you ask like some kind of... genie."
Lu's eyes widened at the word. "Ooh, I like that idea. Maybe you are my genie! Give me three wishes, Al!"
"I'm not your genie!" Al snapped, his pages fluttering furiously. "And stop asking me to explain things that make no sense! You've got the power to create. Just use it!"
Lu chuckled at his reaction, thoroughly amused. "Well, okay, but, Al, you are kind of like a genie, in a way. You're always showing up when I need help. Like poof! Learning 101 in Whiteness world deluxe version. Tadaa~ Like that. Plus, you keep teaching me stuff about this world, like a mentor. You're like a wise, floating... genie-book."
Al paused, his pages stiffening, almost as if he were contemplating her words. "You have a very... strange way of thinking, you know that?" Lu beamed, clearly proud of her unexpected compliment. "Awww~ That's why you like me, isn't it?"
Al didn't answer right away, but the flicker of a response was there, subtle and hesitant. He looked at her, and for a brief moment, his pages seemed to slow, almost like he was taking a deep breath.
"But come on, Al! I've been stuck in this endless whiteness for who knows how long, just me and you. I deserve a few answers, don't you think?"
Al hesitated, floating in a little circle, his cover gently closing and opening like an exasperated sigh. "Alright, fine. What do you want to know?"
Lu crossed her arms and tapped her foot. "Well, let's see... Why do you only talk to me?"
".....", Al screaming internally in his monologue.
"Lu..." he started quietly. Should I just smack her head FOR REAL NOW! I Really Want To Try it! They say throwing a book can make sense on those who have heads right? Al's pages rustled in a way that could almost be interpreted as a wince.
"Because, Lu... HAVE YOU MET ANOTHER BEING OR EXISTENCE OTHER THAN ME?! IT'S JUST THE TWO OF US HERE!" his voice echoes....
Lu's smile faded slightly as she tilted her head, a sudden weight to his words. "What do you mean? Like, there's no one else?" Al's voice dropped, quieter than before. "Yes, exactly. There's just the two of us in this world. You... and me. The rest of this existence is blank. Empty."
Lu felt a shiver run through her, something deep inside her stirring with both mystery and fear. "But... why? Why just us? Why are we the only ones?" Al hovered in the air, his pages rustling gently as if weighing his response. No... I can't reveal it too her.... she's not stable yet.... After a long pause, he finally spoke.
"Because we never met others yet, and I don't know too. You meet me and I meet you that's all for now isn't it?" Al huffed as if he is pouting with her senses. Lu's gaze softened as she stared at the endless sky, the blue vastness stretching before her. "So... it's just me and you for now.... not forever?"
"That's what it looks like, for now." Al replied, his voice surprisingly gentle. "But you're not alone. I'm here. And as long as you have questions... I'll help you find the answers." Lu didn't respond immediately. Instead, she let his words sink in, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn't yet grasp. The thought of being alone in this vast emptiness... it unsettled her. But Al was here. And somehow, that was enough.
"I guess that means..." Lu's voice was soft now, almost a whisper, "...there's no one else to blame if I mess things up." Al's pages flickered with a sigh. "Nuh uh! I'm here! If I were you I wouldn't be so sure about that."
Lu smiled to herself, the spark of something mischievous already returning. "Well, I guess you're stuck with me, Al. Forever and ever."
"Great," Al muttered. "Just great."
Lu laughed again, but this time, the sound was more thoughtful, tinged with a quiet mystery. There was something in the air now, something both exciting and uncertain, that hinted at what was to come. And even though it was just the two of them, in this strange, empty world, Lu couldn't help but feel that their adventure had only just begun.