34th Teddy Bear [Voice]

[asobouyo]

[An hour or so after bed, Elicia hears something creak. It's harmless and probably something like a tree scratching something, or a mouse finding its way. But it sparks a barrage of images within this small child's brain that would probably make a therapist shake their heads. Things like floating objects and scary figures and things under her bed oh god. Acute paranoia tonight, this one. So she speaks in a really low whisper as though she's on a secret mission, hidden up to her ears in blanket. Must be a nice windy winter night.]

Um....

Are ghosts real? They aren't, right? But—But I guess good ghosts are okay! Do those count? Are they real either?

[Her eyes dart from one side of the room to the other, and she's totally expecting something scary to happen on one side or the other. Any minute now. No, no, be brave, there's nothing going on. Nothing at aaaaall. ;~;

Gulp.]

Oh! New Feathers are here, too... huh...

I'm Elicia, and I'm six years o—

[rustle rustle]

Meep!

[...And back under the sheets. Yup.]

Comments

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Right! So if you heard a creak, it's not a ghost.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

O-okay!

...



Have you ever met a real ghost before?

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

[.....well.]

Some things a little like them. They aren't around here to bother you either, though.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

That's good!

But... what's yours like?

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

[...] You really want to know? They're scary.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

I'm... I'm not scared! 'Cause they're not here, right??

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

But when you get home they might be there. You'd better let me deal with them instead.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

I-I can do it! I'll get tougher, promise!

I won't let them boss me around!

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Good! With that attitude, they definitely wont.

Re: [voice]

[asobouyo]

[SHINE SPARKLE SPARKLE

...

oh right]

Um!! I'm Elicia! It's nice to meet you.

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

I'm Reiko. How old are you, Elicia?

[voice]

[asobouyo]

I'm six years old!!

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Really. Already grown up, huh?

[voice]

[asobouyo]

Mmmm, a little bit! I'm still really tiny compared to big sis or papa, so that means I got a lot more growing to do!

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Don't be in too much of a rush. It's not really all that much fun.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

It's not...? But you get to stay up late and eat whatever you want and have your own house!

[SERIOUSLY WHERE ARE THE DOWNSIDES......]

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

That all depends on the person.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

Um... Do you not like being a adult?

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Oh, I'm not quite an adult yet. But they have all kinds of responsibilities, you know.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

Like... having jobs to get money!

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Exactly. So you should have fun while you're a kid.

[voice]

[asobouyo]

Oh, I will! I'll have tons and tons of fun, 'cus everyone I love is here!

[voice]

[spiritbruising]

Kids really do say merciless things... [This is said quietly and to herself, not really in a way for Elicia to understand. When she does address the girl she's smiling.]

But I can't complain much about being here, either. [She had wanted to get far away, even if this wasn't what she had imagined.]

Re: [voice]

[asobouyo]

Oh, that's good! And if you're ever bored, you can come over and draw with me!

[Because obviously everyone loves drawing stuff with six-year-olds. It's exciting, right? ALL THOSE CRAYONS!!]

[voice] 1/2

[spiritbruising]

[Elicia you are too cute. It's getting hard to be cynical.

Also no one's ever just invited her to come over without her prompting them before. Even if it is from a small child...]