bills, bills, bills...

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Sender: Meilin "Mei" Lee
To: All
Subject: $$$ For Warm Fuzzies

So, sending out a quick question to all my homies and newbies.

How much would you pay to hug a gigantic red panda? Use whatever currency you feel comfortable with, just tell me if it's high or low.

I may have a business opportunity in the works.

Comments

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ Aw, yeah. This is nice. Mei's tail wags slowly, just happy to do this for them. ]

Heh heh! It's really soft, isn't it?

[ectoherbology]

...It is. You're a lot softer than when mister Woodie turns into a beaver or a moose.

[Fluffy! And warm...]

And definitely less bristly than a beefalo. It reminds me of a catcoon.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ ... buh? ]

Wait, you know other people who can turn into animals?!

[ectoherbology]

I don't think it's quite the same... you seem to have your wits about you. Mister Woody is cursed with being a were-beaver. And a were-moose. And a were-goose. On full moons he turns into one of those randomly.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Oooh. Yeah, that's totally different. I'm not cursed... I mean, I sometimes see it as a curse... but technically, it was a blessing by the gods for my ancestor.

[ectoherbology]

Mister Woody also tends to be very ravenous and a bit insane after he changes back. You seem to be much luckier and happier.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ yikes yikes yikes. does she really want to know??? ]

Well... this did take some control, actually. It used to be that I would transform whenever I felt something super, super strongly. Happy, sad, angry... it took me a really long time to control my emotions better.

[ectoherbology]

I see. You must have a much easier time not letting dreammotion get out of control, then, since you've practiced.

[Color Wendy impressed! She looks composed, but apparently that's not common for her.]

Have you been in this dream world long?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Just a couple of... months...

[ But like with Ken, now that she thinks about it, it's been more than a "couple", hasn't it? ]

It's, um, I've... I've guess been here a while...?

[ectoherbology]

[Ah, she knows that expression. Gently, Wendy pat at Mei's fluffy arm.]

I see. You miss home, right?

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ Her ears begin to flatten down, if her sad expression wasn't obvious enough. She swallows, though, and tries to bottle it up. ]

Well, I... we all do, right? B-But I've got a lot of coo friends here, so it's fine! Like you two, we can be friends!

[ectoherbology]

[Wendy keeps petting her. Abigail had gone from happy giggling to distant 'cooing' sounds, floating in circles around Mei, maybe trying to offer comfort too.]

I understand. This isn't even the first world I've been trapped in. You needn't run from being sad. Sorrow is an important emotion, and an extension of love. Genuine, sincere love.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ But sadness won't help anyone, and Mei desperately needs to be of use to others! Look what she's done, bringing the mood down, when these girls were nice enough to help her out!

She takes a deep breath, swallows, and FORCES THAT SADNESS RIGHT BACK DOWN. ]

Aw, you guys are so nice! I'm glad we're all friends now! Hahaha... I changed my mind - from now on, you guys get hugs free of charge!

[ectoherbology]

[Don't feel too bad, Mei, ruining the mood is usually Wendy's job anyway...

Wendy doesn't answer, just petting at her arm and giving her a sympathetic look. There, there... she'd been there for other kids having the same crisis, wishing they were back home instead of the proverbial hell that she and the other survivors were in.]