PA   *<( jill! aughh stay close to the light!

PA   *<( dont run off where i cant see you!

She's summoned her Specter - Jackojill, you recall. Weird, ferret-looking things. Not a bad choice, though you're decidedly not a fan of all the creepy stories surrounding them. If you're going with a spooky Specter, you might as well pick one who has a more flattering fascination towards humans.

PA   *<( i cant lose track of you

PA   *<( who knows what malevolent forces are out here?

You hold back a snicker as she crouches over some shrub. As frumpy as she looks, she doesn't seem afraid of digging through dirt and leaves.

You leap nimbly from branch to branch, all the while keeping your eyes fixed on the interloper below. Even in the dim light, you couldn't miss the old-fashioned lantern, the target-shaped hat. Every time you see it from above, there's a good chance you try to hit the center with an acorn or something.

Sadly, there aren't oak trees here. Just bigleaf maple. You could try dropping some whirlybirds onto her, but all it'd do is make a pretty little scene. Nothing fun.

RW   (hm)

Finally bored of watching, you sneak down the tree and tiptoe your way up behind her. Her Jackojill notices you straight away, but they merely copy your grin. Maybe they aren't so bad after all.

PA   *<( what? what are you giggling at?

PA   *<( dont get distracted jack

PA   *<( keep your eyes on the prize

RW   so why arent you lookin

A deafening shriek and a blast of heat shoots just shy of your head. She can't actually cast fireballs, but you still instinctively feel your hair for any singed parts as she stands up, temper flaring.

PA   *<( rowan!

RW   sup

If there's anything you can admire about her, it's how quick she is on the offensive.

PA   *<( dont!!!

PA   *<( freaking!!!

PA   *<( scare me like that!!!

RW   dont react so good then

PA   *<( spell-of-a-million-fists!!!!!!!!

RW   kehehe oh shit

As if out of spite, her reaction speed starts overpowering yours. You end up getting knocked on the head a couple of times, gritting your teeth as to stifle your grunts. Don't show them that they got to you, your brother always said. Must be why you rarely see him feel anything but anger.

When she decides to stop, both of you are panting hard enough to shatter the mysterious silence of the forest.

PA   *<( you smelly dirty lowlife loser stalker

RW   woah

RW   for all i know you could be tailin me

PA   *<( i couldnt care less about what youre up to

PA   *<( im actually going to places for a reason

PA   *<( not swinging around and terrorizing the locals

RW   as if you havent scared at least one local

PA   *<( :I

PA   *<( youre way more immature about it

RW   still jealous of my trickster skills

PA   *<( not a chance!!

Funny how she's so used to bickering with you that she doesn't even need to put her focus on walking. You walk in tandem with her, swishing your tail lazily.

RW   plus it aint my fault ive been meanin to visit these neck of the woods

RW   the pacific northwest rules

RW   trees all tall and protective

RW   towns all small and close-knit

RW   its the kinda folksy life you dont see on the east coast

RW   feels untouched

PA   *<( and you had to come and taint it

RW   woah hey the forest loves me alright

RW   i was just chewin it up w/ a gopher before this

RW   and the people dont blink an eye seein a dude w/ a tail

RW   rowans are plenty native here

It helps that Pineford has its own identity as a hub of folklore and oddities. A big hairy apeman could cross the road and it'd be cause for excitement, not terror.

PA   *<( i thought you were all about sticking out and being a nuisance

PA   *<( wouldnt someplace like this just be... boring?

PA   *<( since it doesnt put up a fight?

You fold your arms behind your head.

RW   anythin wears you out after enough of it

If only she knew how much worse you could be. You're doing the world a favor, holding back.

RW   dont you have siblings or somethin

PA   *<( something like that

PA   *<( but they grow out of their wild years

PA   *<( you should know better

RW   im still in my fresh twenties

PA   *<( you should know better when you become a teenager!

PA   *<( otherwise youre just wasting valuable time

RW   so were both livin like life is short then

PA   *<( ...clearly not

The Jackojill are weaving around your feet, threatening to trip you. Before they nearly succeed, you decide to summon your own spectral companion to balance out the company.

She leaps out rather suddenly and spooks the two, causing them to scamper onto Paola's shoulder.

PA   *<( hello

PA   *<( nari was it?

Nari nods curtly and directs her focus onto the path forward.

PA   *<( i wish i could speak with her

RW   you got me

PA   *<( and?

RW   rude

RW   i meant i could translate

PA   *<( its not the same

PA   *<( im sure her voice would sound very elegant

PA   *<( thats not exactly something you can pull off

She has a good head on her shoulders, this one.

RW   well nari said you gotta big dumb head that fits your big dumb hat

PA   *<( she didnt say that!

PA   *<( you just cant appreciate a good ensemble piece

RW   naw pat pulls theirs off fine

RW   you look like youre the mascot for a candy wrapper

RW   not the candy itself

RW   the wrapper

PA   *<( ill turn you into a wrapper

RW   sick

PA   *<( ughh even if thats what i meant

PA   *<( you would be awful and you know it

RW   do i

PA   *<( i wish you did :/

RW   not to brag but

RW   im kinda the king of wordplay kehe

RW   dope rhymes would be right up my alley

Paola rolls her eyes, ignores you (a sign of defeat), and pulls out a piece of parchment, keeping it out of reach of her nipping JackoJill.

RW   whazat

PA   *<( my list

PA   *<( just keeping in mind the ingredients

RW   why dont you ever brew somethin tasty

RW   like cookies or a pie

PA   *<( what makes you think i dont?

You stare at her.

RW   youre keepin pies from me?

PA   *<( theyre not for you!

PA   *<( i have... acquaintances who like them

PA   *<( thats partly why i come here

PA   *<( i owe it to them

You try to remember seeing any spooky-looking people who'd look like Paola's kin, but most people here wear traditional garments and earthy tones. The only thing they have in common is clothing patched together the old-fashioned way.

Oh, wait, isn't her dad some kind of monk guy who came from here? Maybe he has friends and family she likes to keep in touch with. As much as you bragged about feeling at home here, no one at Pineford is really acquainted with you.

You're not really someone who acquaints, now that you think about it.

RW   so what does it take for you to owe me a pie

You expect her to grimace and tell you off, but she looks fairly thoughtful for once.

PA   *<( if you find the toadstools i need

PA   *<( maybe ill make you a little one

You grin.

RW   make it apple

PA   *<( ugh youre just like him

RW   who

PA   *<( a more virtuous man-of-the-woods i know

PA   *<( maybe ill get lucky and hell put you on the path of decent-ness one day

RW   if we share the same taste doesnt that mean im already there

PA   *<( like hell you are

PA   *<( besides. there are better flavors

It's an awful hassle, being dragged along to do something responsible. But with you around, she's much too distracted to look around in the dark all scared. And your Specters seem to get along alright - their combined light shines the path forward.

You'll push her into a pit later. To balance out such generosity.