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?

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.

[itwasfeyt]

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

[independent_dollmaker]

Either way, it sounds like I'm not the only one who's felt like exploring this place, even if we're not supposed to.

[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. ]

[fortunatetoaster]

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

[itwasfeyt]

See? If you're told to not do something, it just makes you want to do it more!

[independent_dollmaker]

Do you think we really are going to see a witch?

[itwasfeyt]

We won't know for sure if we don't try, right? Who knows! We might just get some wishes granted while we're at it.

[She leans in, a conspiratorial look on her face.] So, what are you gonna wish for?

[independent_dollmaker]

[IMMEDIATE BLUSH]

Ah, nothing important... I mean, I haven't decided yet. We'll see.

[ohmygah]

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

[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!

[fortunatetoaster]

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

[ohmygah]

Well, if I was a ghost, I wouldn' wanna go to school. Unless it was to see friends, I guess. So I figure I'd want something to do in the meantime, y'know?

[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!

[independent_dollmaker]

And what about the bears we meet between now and then?

[happyhalloween]

We'll feed them Hiroshi.

[ohmygah]

You think Hiroshi likes to eat bears?

[Not what she said, Osaka.]

[fortunatetoaster]

We ain't feedin' anyone ta no bears! Twenty demerits if I see ya tryin' it!

[ chiyoko are demerits really the appropriate response to attempted murder ]

[fortunatetoaster]

[ a pause. ]

... Y'know what? Sure, why not. What channels do ya get?

[happyhalloween]

Maybe he likes to eat gummi bears. They bounce here and there and everywhere!

[Somebody's a TV kid.]