Question from Worried Hand on 2/18/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, My Norn wants to become a screenwriter! He has all these scripts lying around, and he keeps forcing his friends into dramatic situations in order to get "inspiration"! Please, help me, I've already lost two Norns to his 'Forbidden Grendel/Norn Love' scenarios! - Worried Hand Dear Worried Hand, Well, can you please tell him to stop sending his scripts to me? Despite being a well-known columnist, on and beyond the Shee Ark, I unfortunately do not have any contacts in the film industry. Besides, I don't think Norns are really cut out for the set. Some of us can't even follow directions without the Hand holding our paw, plus we'd make terrible stunt doubles if it involved getting wet. It'd be a lot safer to give him a few finger puppets so he can enact his own screenplays himself.  - Laura |
Question from Pregnant With Twins on 2/18/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, I'm concerned that my babies' daddy might be cheating on me. I'm stuck at home, in the Meso, and every time I send him down to get me some carrots with peanut butter he's gone for so long! It took him ten minutes one day! You know that that's a long time for us Norns! I've seen a bunch of those ChiChi Norns down there; they always hang out by the Learning Machine, but they don't seem to have a single brain cell between them. What should I do? Help me Laura, you're my only hope! - Pregnant With Twins Dear Pregnant With Twins, Please try to calm yourself. Such panic can't be good in your condition, and things aren't always what they appear. Your spouse really doesn't seem like the cheating type to me, and he obviously dotes on you. I don't know many Norns who'd willingly go out at all hours to fetch their partner some carrots, and with peanut butter no less! There could be an innocent explanation for his tardiness. What if these ChiChi ladies have their own young mouths to feed and he just stops by, on his way home, to check they have enough food too? Of course, if I'm completely wrong about this then you're well within your rights to hide in the tall bramboo, with a rolling pin, ready to strike! - Laura |
Question from Swettin on 2/17/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, It is hot, hot, HOT in the desert! We have looked at the control panel, and there are so many dead Meerks in there that the whole thing is beyond repair. There are no fans or air conditioners in the gadget stash either. A refreshing dip in the pond was the way to go, until it dried up! Please help us, Laura; a heat rash is no fun, especially when you have buttocks the size of beach balls! - Swettin Dear Swettin, Why do you think your species enjoys roaming the Ark and hoarding every gadget that crosses their path? My theory is that it isn't really because you're all plagued by Kleptomania, but rather you're all just glad to escape from that oven we call the Desert Terrarium! You might've also noticed several doors in the desert. If you feel adventurous, the door on the lowest level leads to the warm climes of the Aquatic Terrarium; a haven with facilities ideal for any sweaty creature! Soothe your buttocks in the cool, refreshing waters, play with the exotic agents that adorn the golden sands, or simply watch the ribbons of dazzling marine life glide past. You?ll never want to leave... Or can, for that matter. Be sure to give my regards to the Rainbow Sharklings.  - Laura |
Question from Creatures Humane Society on 2/12/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, It has come to our attention that the advice you have been giving to some creatures has been, needless to say, inappropriate; encouraging creatures to disgrace the body of another for entertainment. You have all heard about the 'Breaded Hatchling Norn', and so you know how we will react to this nonsense. Today it might seem like just a few couches, but tomorrow it'll be creature cannibalism! If you do not stop this disgusting talk and work, of turning deceased creatures' bodies into furniture, we will have no choice but to SHUT YOUR COLUMN DOWN! You've all been warned! I mean, Designer Ettin went and made another dead Ettin into a couch, after YOU encouraged him! We are now posting guards in EVERY world to end this! By turning bodies into furniture you are disgracing the soul of the creature who used to live in it. And Laura, if you died, would you want to be a couch? Something to think about. - Creatures Humane Society Dear Creatures Humane Society, Now that you ask, I don?t think a couch would really suit me. However, I?ve always fancied the idea of having my fur woven into a trendy rug, should I finally lose The Game in a duel with The Grim Reaper. I guess I?ll just have to amend my Will now, and deprive future generations of Norns from warming their weary toes on my woolly fibres.  - Laura |
Question from Designer Ettin on 2/8/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, I have heard of Norns making Grendel-hide couches and boy, they look good! So I went back to the Desert Terrarium to find a dead Ettin and I made it into a couch. It's very comfy, so do you think I should keep it, or sell it for a cheese vendor? I can't decide. - Designer Ettin Dear Designer Ettin, If only you?d jumped on the bandwagon sooner! Once a must-have for the Norn Home, furnishings tailored from various corpses are seemingly going out of fashion. I?ve witnessed Grendel-hide couches being launched out of the airlocks, or abandoned on the bridge to gather dust, in recent days, because their owners cannot sell them for love or carrots. Apparently, they're also subject to many consumer complaints about possessions getting lost too easily inbetween the cushions. A design flaw, I gather. In short; like those tired Grendel hides, this upholstery industry is now in tatters. If I were you, I?d just keep the Ettin-fur couch as an inheritance for your offspring and take up designing blueprints instead. Or hand knitted tea cosies. - Laura |
Question from Hungry Banshee on 2/8/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, I'm a Banshee Grendel, who's recently heard of the wonder that is the 'Breaded Hatchling... um... Crobster'. Needless to say, I'd love to enjoy such a dish aboard the Ark. To do so, I've gathered all of the ingredients, the bread crumbs, a few hot volcano rocks, and a Sludge Gun to kill the... crobster. All but the crobster. Now, I ask you; will you come alone, and at night, without telling anyone, especially Valiant Norn, to the Jungle Terrarium so we can share this dish for tea? - Hungry Banshee Dear Hungry Banshee, Call me a picky eater, but I think I?ll give it a miss this once. I don?t like seafood, due to my deep-rooted fear of aquatic critters wrapped in bread... and a Banshee Grendel?s cooking, for that matter. - Laura |
Question from Valiant Norn on 2/5/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, I am a very famous Norn and I know many Norn girls will want to have a copy of this letter. Now, Laura, I have decided, after much debate, to ask one low as yourself to help me (don't show this part to any of my fans please)! There's this one Norn lady that I asked out and right after that... SHE SLAPPED ME! I mean, ME! Out of all the Norns, she slapped me! I could not believe it, it's a disgrace! I mean, I am the most delicate hero and she still slapped me. Yet I prevail! But I am also MADLY in love with her! What should I do, Laura? - Valiant Norn Dear Valiant Norn, Put some ice on it and listen up. Arrogance is not attractive in a potential mate. Take it from me, no self-respecting female wants to date a Norn who loves himself too much, and now you have an angry paw print across your cheek to prove it! I think you?d benefit from doing a spot of voluntary work around the Ark; caring for the sick Ettins in the Medical Bay, or coaching less fortunate Grendel youths on their self-defence skills (don?t forget to stage the fights, to make it look like you lose) are just some of the selfless ways in which you could help your fellow creatures. I?m sure you?ll feel better for putting others first, and who knows? You may even impress this girl, and save yourself the shame of another slap! I wish you luck, and know that I will be publishing this letter for your fans to read. Nobody?s perfect, and humility is the first step on the road to self-improvement. - Laura |
Question from Ameilia on 2/5/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, My name as you know *giggle* is Ameilia! *giggle* I have a problem. *giggle* I constantly *giggle* giggle! Please help *giggle* Laura! *giggle* - Ameilia Dear Ameilia, Tell the Hand to press the 'Mute' button on its computer and then try to giggle. Problem solved.  - Laura |
Question from Previously Craving Tea on 2/4/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, Firstly, I'd like to thank you for your assistance in my previous dilemma. After telling the Hand about your morning tea, he confessed and forked over the dough (or tea, rather). Us Norns now have quite a large stock of tea. And this has brought on a new issue. Upon hearing of our stock of tea, the Ettins came to our terrarium. They said that they would like some tea, and that they're tired after gathering gadgets from around the ship all day. We figured we should probably ask for something in return. So tell us Laura, what is one scoop of tea herbs worth? - Previously Craving Tea Dear Previously Craving Tea, Our Ettin neighbours are a hardworking species, well known for their technical expertise. So, with these assets at your disposal, why don?t you strike a deal with them; their skills in exchange for a share of your tea supply? A provisional Tea Leaf Tariff could be: '12.5 g: Deliver agents to friends and family in the other terrariums. 14 g: A loan of any hoarded gadget. 25 g: Restock all of the vendors. 40 g: Oil any creaky elevators. 50 g: Build a new blueprint for the Norn Terrarium.' I?m sure you can negotiate the terms. Just be careful not to exploit the Ettins' services and good nature, otherwise I can foresee the Hand putting a stop to this operation and, before you can say "one lump or two?", those lucky fish in the Aquatic Terrarium will be having a tea party. - Laura |
Question from Concerned Norn on 2/4/2011 | comment
Dear Laura, Help, Laura! Some Norns got jealous that I got to try the new Learning Computer first, so they grabbed me and threw me into the Jungle Terrarium! The Grendels didn't hit me, but one came up and started talking about cheese. Is there something wrong with the game? - Concerned Norn Dear Concerned Norn, Why yes, there certainly is something wrong with the game 'Toss the Smartest Norn Into the Jungle'. Just count your lucky carrots that you've been fortunate enough to be thrown to the Grendels on their bi-annual 'Cheese Appreciation Day', supposedly. Fret not, I'm sure the ever-gallant Hand will come to your rescue once it realises you're missing. While you're waiting, you could humour the Grendels by asking them what their favourite variety of cheese is. You might even come out of there with a tasty new recipe! - Laura |
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