IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

Comments

[fullmoonmutt]

How you going to fix a crying doll?

[ That's creepy? ]

[strawsandals]

I have no idea.

[ Whoops... Does it look like Mafuyu? ]

[beathollow]

No.

It looks like a normal student, wearing the same school uniform that Mafuyu wears.

You get the feeling that the voice isn't just talking to you.

[strawsandals]

....

I see. So her mother chased off Mafuyu's friends...

[ Gods. ]

This represents someone at her school, I think.

[fullmoonmutt]

Tch. Figures. She would throw away all of her friends, too...

[beathollow]

The doll nods.

I just wanted to see her. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I won't get in the way again.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Wait?! He gives the doll a look of surprise. ]

You talk?! Wait! You're one of her friends, right?

[beathollow]

Not anymore. The Queen forbid it. I- I didn't get good grades, so she wanted me to not hold her back. I'm sorry...

[fullmoonmutt]

Can you tell us where to find the Queen? We got a whole lot of words we want to have with her right now.

[beathollow]

She's in the theater. She has to make sure the Princess is performing right.

[fullmoonmutt]

[ Theater... ]

Yeah? Where is that in this place?

[beathollow]

It's in the heart of the castle but. I'm bad. So I've never been... I'm sorry...

[fullmoonmutt]

Nah, you're fine. How about we bust you and all your doll friends out of here? You can come with.

[beathollow]

Really?

[strawsandals]

You're fine. You're not to blame for the Queen's behavior.

[ He is so ready to have Words with this lady. ]

[beathollow]

... She's... she makes it all sound so kind and benevolent... but she doesn't care who she hurts.

[privatedomicile]

Give it a tissue?

[He's actually serious.]

[fullmoonmutt]

Oh! That could work! Maybe use your shirt instead? I didn't bring a tissue or handkerchief with me.

[privatedomicile]

I woulda brought a pack if I knew we'd have cryin' to deal with...

[Jesse is going to find a non-dirty spot on his shirt to dab at the crying doll's damp cheeks.]

Chin up, yo, it's gonna work out. We're gettin' you outta the dump. [...he's talking to the doll now.]

[beathollow]

... But I was bad... I'm a bad influence...

The doll seems to be crying more now. Which is impressive for a little cloth doll!

[privatedomicile]

Hey, you ain't bad, you hear? "Bad influence" is just what crappy parents say when you're too cool for them. You're probably like the coolest doll ever, man.

[beathollow]

... Really?

[privatedomicile]

For real! I got a sixth sense for cool factor.

[beathollow]

The doll giggles, but its watery, like she's still crying.

Okay.

... I miss Mafuyu.

She does this to everyone. If you aren't good enough... if it could risk her grade... she even tried to talk her out of her clubs recently...

[privatedomicile]

[Jesse looks solemn for a moment. Mafuyu can't even have friends or hobbies without her mother approving of them? What parent puts that kind of pressure on a kid? It's obvious that the pressure is threatening to crush Mafuyu if this place is what her mind conjures to represent her home life.]

That blows.

Come on, doll girl. Let's go find Mafu.