June 12th, The Woods, Near midnight

[independent_dollmaker]

[Well, if they didn't want kids exploring the woods, maybe they should have said why!

Hiroshi, Alice, Nui, Osaka, Chiyoko, Maya, Minako and Maria advance through the darkness. It's not as creepy as Alice was expecting, honestly. She told her parents that she was visiting Maria, and wouldn't be back until late, and they seemed happy enough that she was spending time with friends to not ask too many questions. Her main contribution to the exploration party: A flashlight!

Alice looks up, quietly noting the moonless sky. Good luck, hearing about this whole thing the day before a new moon.]

So, I never did get a clear answer on whether or not there are bears in this area.

Comments

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya was having the smallest amount of trouble, making her way through the woods with her friends. Her sandals weren't exactly the most functional footwear ever, don't you know?

Still, she was looking forward to this. She'd came decked out in her full uniform, complete with Magatama. She was the groups top - and only - source of spiritual knowledge! She had to look her best.]

I've never seen a bear around here... I don't think.

[independent_dollmaker]

Is seeing a bear something you can be unsure about?

[itwasfeyt]

Yeah. It could have been a really hairy bush for all I know.

[loveandwillpower]

Maybe you just saw Mr. Yamada with his shirt off.

[ Mr. Yamada runs the town's general store/mini-mart equivalent and has the hairiest arms known to mankind. ]

[itwasfeyt]

[....Maya has to... lean against a tree for a moment.

Give her a moment please.]

whoops misfire

[fortunatetoaster]

[ the chill in the night air hits Chiyoko's chest sharply and its cold enough to make something in her throat twinge unpleasantly every time she draws in a breath. She has to keep gritting her teeth to keep herself from coughing and as a result, when she does finally speak, her voice is noticeably tight. ]

I swear, if I get eaten by bears while we're doin' this, I'm gonna come back and haunt every single one a' ya til you're old 'n wrinkly.

[independent_dollmaker]

Then these woods really would be haunted.

[fortunatetoaster]

And I wouldn't be gratin' nobody any wishes, either.

[itwasfeyt]

[Maya, on the other hand, looked none the worse for wear in the chilly night air. She even flashed a confused look at Chiyoko.]

...Wait, aren't ghosts supposed to haunt living things? I don't think that's how it works.

[fortunatetoaster]

Well, I ain't gonna haunt ya if we all get eaten, am I?

[ it comes out a little sharper than intended -- she's a bit more creeped out than she'd like to admit and it's making irritation come bubbling to the surface. ]

[ohmygah]

If you did, you want me to set the tv on something while I'm at school?

[fortunatetoaster]

... that's really th'first thing ya think of when I threaten to haunt everyone's butts off?

[happyhalloween]

Hey let's go! Hey let's go! I'm happy as can be!

[Somebody's definitely happy if the sounds of the opening song to My Neighbor Totoro are any indication. Maria's going to meet a witch! She's going to make friends with a witch!

And she has a new apprentice! OSAKA, the Witch of Enlightenment!

This is a very good night to be Maria.]

It's okay if we meet bears! The bears are Shigetsuna-sama's friends!

[independent_dollmaker]

I'm more worried about whether or not they're our friends.

[happyhalloween]

If we make friends with Shigetsuna-sama, the bears will be our friends!

[all_onis_are_true]

Potentially. I believe black bears are native. However, if we maintain precautions, they should not be an issue.

[independent_dollmaker]

What kind of precautions? I've never had to consider bear defense before...

[all_onis_are_true]

Ensuring any and all food is protected is a start. Also, it would be best if we ensure we are not too quiet as we progress. They will be less surprised that way.

[Somebody's been researching.]

MIDNIGHT

[independent_dollmaker]

[Later that night. A decent little clearing where someone could start a campfire without burning the forest down.

A small fire burns in the center of the clearing. No moon shines in the sky. The forest is silent.]

Well, then. Why don't we summon a witch?

[all_onis_are_true]

[Hiroshi stands by wordlessly, arms cross, leaning against a tree. He's outvoted, or else he wouldn't be out here. Well, he's sure he'll be proven right soon enough.]

[flatview]

[ clapping obnoxiously ]

Heeheehee. This is like something out of a slasher flick.

[independent_dollmaker]

If this is a slasher movie, then Maria's probably the only one getting home safely tonight.

[loveandwillpower]

Don't say that! You know what happens to gorgeous sexy blondes in slasher flicks, don't you?!

[itwasfeyt]

Aaaalright! [Maya stood by the fire, letting it warm her hands before she clapped them together.]

Do we have the instructions?

[independent_dollmaker]

I think we just hold hands in a circle, look into the fire and chant that incantation that Maria was explaining earlier.