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

[loveandwillpower]

That's why you aren't a bear, Osaka! You need to shape up if you want to become a bear!

[ Said in more or less the exact tone of voice their homeroom teacher uses when talking to either of them about their grades. ]

[ohmygah]

[THE DEJA VU IS HORRIFYING]

But... why would I wanna be a bear?

[loveandwillpower]

Well, it would be a real shame if we had to feed Hiroshi to a complete stranger.

[ohmygah]

Oh, I getcha.

You sure he'd be tasty though? He's pretty skinny...

[loveandwillpower]

Becoming a bear means making sacrifices for the greater good! It's the life preserver, Osaka!

[ohmygah]

...Like the ones dolphins jump through at Sea World?

[loveandwillpower]

No way! Dolphins don't eat people!

...Although they do eat fish... Hey, do you think a dolphin would eat a mermaid?