“Ilove Animal Crossing, Maddie,” they said, and snorted a laugh that reminded them of Emerson’s.
“What do you love about it?” Maddie leaned a hip on the doorframe.
“I mean, the museum, obviously.” Mal was pretty sure they owed their love of biology to that game. “And I like the clothes and that I can buy whatever I want without having to worry about it being in my size or costing too much. But mostly I think I like the idea that a bunch of different species of animals can live side by side with a human and they all understand each other and get along.”
The idea had always enchanted them. Most days, Mal felt like they didn’t even understand otherhumans, let aloneanteaters.
“Andyou like playing with me.” Maddie said this like it was a question, even though Mal couldn’t hear the upturn of a question mark in her voice.
“And I like playing with you, yeah.” Mal had the sudden feeling that this was a pop quiz. “But I play on my own, too.”
The space between them grew quiet again, Mal looking at Maddie and Maddie looking at Mal. They couldn’t shake the feeling that this was some sort of assessment. Eventually, though, it seemed like they must have passed, because Maddie shrugged and said, “Okay. Music up or music down?”
Their sister knew Mal’s work modes: Need More Noise or Need No Noise At All.
“Music up,” Mal confirmed. “It’ll help me focus.”
Maddie nodded. Her eyes strayed to the far wall. “Is that my charger? I’ve been looking for it.”
“Nope,” Mal said. “Yours is still downstairs by the sofa.”
Her face screwed up, thinking for a moment, as she retraced her steps. “You’re right. Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” Mal said. “Just come in when you do.”
And she did. She stayed until every one of Mal’s zines was folded.
Subject:Questions for Mal!
Wednesday, October 30 | 11:22 PM
From:Russel, Sam
To:Mal
Hey Mal!
Here are those questions we talked about tonight. If you could get them back to me ASAP, that would be rad.
Spookily,
Sam.
What made you want to startMixxedMedia?
How did you learn to make zines?
How did you find your workspace?
How do you fund the project?
Where do you seeMixxedMediagoing in the future?
Subject:Questions for Mal!
Thursday, October 31 | 4:47 AM
From:Mal
