Interviewer: Dr. Eugene Japers

Interviewee description: The leaf-giver.

Foreword: Interview conducted in 2013 during Dr. Japers' ninth expedition into yonder vale of restless wanderers. Due to the unique knowledge that the one who bore the gift of cabbage seemed to possess about our world, Dr. Japers was instructed to conduct a more thorough interview should it be encountered a third time.

Additionally, Dr. Japers was granted special permission to make false statements for the sake of facilitating conversation, as his first encounter showed the fluffy one to be susceptible to deceptions.

[Begin Log]

Traveling along the way of weary adventurers, Dr. Japers encounters a small white cottage with a thatched roof. A small opening in the shape of a rabbit's head is cut into the front door. Dr. Japers approaches it and knocks.

Dr. Japers: Hello? Is anyone home?

(Voice slightly muffled from inside) "Yes, one minute."

Exactly one minute passes. The door opens.

"Ah, we meet again! Please, come in, come in."

Dr. Japers is led inside. The interior is sparsely decorated with wooden furniture and needlework.

Dr. Japers: You have a lovely home.

"Ha! You have a lovely sense of humor."

The homeowner hurries to a kitchenette in the corner and begins preparing a kettle.

Dr. Japers: No, really. I think it's charming.

"I suppose. It was just meant to be until things cooled down on the other side, but, well, you know."

Dr. Japers: I'm afraid I don't know. Would you like some help?

"No, no no no. You just have yourself a seat at the table over there while I get the tea ready for us."

Dr. Japers draws a chair and seats himself.

Dr. Japers: You're most generous, but I don't think my digestion will permit it.

"Oh, poor fellow. Well, I find the presence of tea to be a comfort in any case."

Dr. Japers: You are most kind. Tell me, could you explain what you meant by 'cooled down'?

His furred host turns the stove on and stares out a window cut into a similar shape as the hole on the door.

"Your relations didn't tell you the full story, I suppose. About the turmoil that drove us here."

Dr. Japers: Turmoil? Was there a war?

The tufted one sighs.

"Isn't there always?"

Dr. Japers: My grandparents did tell me there were wars, but I never knew of one with you and your kind.

"It doesn't surprise me. There are very few even in these woods that still remember. Memory is the burden of the old, I suppose. But yes. When I was a young lad, in a form very different from the one I possess now, I lived on the other end of the well. It's where I was born, where I grew up, and if I dare to dream, where I will someday return."

Dr. Japers: Why don't you, then?

The kettle whistles.

"I can't. Not unless I know I could be welcomed back."

The maker of the tea pours a cup and seats itself across the table.

"I'm sure you don't know this, since they keep themselves hidden, but there are those who would destroy me at nearest chance—ah, my apologies. These are dark memories, I'm sure you don't want to hear about them."

The teller of the story sips its tea.

Dr. Japers: No, please, go on. These things are of interest to me—I am a fellow scholar, remember?

"As you wish, fellow scholar. I shall talk until the tea is cold."

(It clears its throat.)

"Much as it grieves me to say it, we were betrayed. We had fought side-by-side, you know, in the war against that factory. We had done nothing but help them, and what did they do? They destroyed us. They took so many of our lives, and all of our names. Some of us fled here when the war was just beginning, but not many. Not many. Still, though, I don't hate them."

Dr. Japers: I'm glad for that.

"I'd imagine so! There are some old fogies around these parts who bear a grudge against the whole species, but I know you're not all bad. There were many who sheltered us, fought for us, even died for us. Some came to live here amongst us, rest their souls. I, myself, courted a human once upon a time. He came to visit a time or two, but I never saw him after that. I still wonder now and again if he fell at the hand of an unkind neighbor, or if he merely stopped caring to see me. But it's no matter, now. I apologize for prattling on about old flames. Certainly such things are of no interest to you, fellow scholar."

Dr. Japers: On the contrary, I'd quite like to hear more of these stories. The life of you and your people is of great interest to me.

"I'm sure it is, fellow scholar."

A strong breeze moves through the house. Neither party speaks for half a minute. The rabbit-person who lives there grunts and places a hand to its head, as if in pain. Dr. Japers places his hand against the teapot.

Dr. Japers: It appears the tea has gotten cold. I think it's time I took my leave.

(Speech slightly slurred) "What? You're leaving? I—I should leave too, then."

Dr. Japers rises from the table.

Dr. Japers: No, no no no. I'll be going alone, thank you. It's abrupt, yes, and I'm grievously sorry to do this, but I really must be going. I believe I'm long overdue to return home.

"What is—? I don't… Please, don't go. Something isn't—"

Dr. Japers: It can't be helped.

"Stop! What have you done? I don't know who… what happened to my name? I can't…"

Dr. Japers quickly exits the house. His former companion whimpers and looks at its hands as he leaves.

Dr. Japers: Hm. It does taste rather tart.

[End Log]

Afterword: Dr. Japers successfully returned to Site-08, but was reported missing soon after. Investigations into his disappearance and current whereabouts have been inconclusive. It was initially theorized that Dr. Japers was exposed to an anomalous influence on his physiology during his most recent mission; however, thorough analysis showed no genetic abnormalities in the fur he'd shed on his expedition gear.