Academic Anxieties
Student Maribelle: It's okay, it's okay, it's okay...
Ranzal: Kid? Hey, kid!
Student Maribelle: Eeek! Wh-what is it?
Ranzal: Damn, kid! Yer more high-strung than a soprano violin. I know it's yer first day of school and all, but ya gotta try and calm down, yeah?
Student Maribelle: I-I'll be fine! ...Probably.
Elisanne: It's almost time to set off, Maribelle. Are you ready?
Student Maribelle: No, I'm... I'm okay to go.
Cleo: I'm a little worried about her.
Euden: I don't blame you. This will be her first time surrounded by children her own age. ...Great. Now I'M getting worried.
Notte: You think we should help her?
Euden: I don't think our getting involved here will do her any good in the long run.
Cleo: What if we follow her from a distance? Surely that won't do any harm?
Ranzal: Good idea! We'll just hang back all sneaky-like unless she needs help.
Euden: I suppose that would be okay... All right, let's do it!
Student Maribelle: Hmm... Okay, I think it was this way?
Ranzal: Well, she chose the right path. That's a good start.
Cleo: It's a straight line from here on out. She can't possibly get lost now.
Elisanne: Now we just have to hope she's able to interact with other children her age.
Notte: Aaargh! You guys are so nervous it's starting to make ME nervous!
Euden: ...Hmm? What was that?
Bear: Grrr!
Notte: Great fuzzbutts! It's a bear!
Deer: Baaaaah!
Elisanne: A deer?!
Rabbit: Squeak!
Bird: Cheep cheep!
Ranzal: Okay, the hell's goin' on? We could start a circus with all these damn animals!
Euden: Wait a second... You're all Maribelle's friends, aren't you?
Bear: Grrrr!
Euden: I knew it! Did you all come because you're also worried about her?
Rabbit: Squeak!
Elisanne: She certainly seems to have quite a few friends already.
Euden: We'll be getting close to town soon, but do you want to come with us?
Bird: Tweet tweet!
Cleo: Heh. Sounds like a "yes" to me.
Euden: Then let's all make sure Maribelle's school life gets off on the right foot!
Boy: Morning!
Girl: Hi! Did you do your homework? There was soooo much!
Student Maribelle: ......
Ranzal: We're almost at the school.
Euden: You can tell by how many more children there are. Oh, and there's Maribelle, but...
Cleo: Goodness, but she DOES look nervous... Her gait is so stiff and awkward!
Student Maribelle: ......
Boy: Heya! Are you a transfer student? What's your name?
Student Maribelle: Huh? M-me? It's...um...Maribelle?
Ranzal: Aw crap, here we go! C'mon, kid, you can do this! Talk to her!
Euden: Shh! Let's just watch and see.
Girl: Your outfit's so cute! It's like the uniform the older girls wear!
Student Maribelle: M-my friend made it for me...
Girl: Huh? Sorry, you're sorta mumble-y.
Student Maribelle: Umm... Uhh...
Notte: C'mon, Maribelle! She loves you! Grab that fish and reel 'er in!
Student Maribelle: ......
Boy: Um, are you okay?
Student Maribelle: ......
Notte: GUYS, SHE'S TOTALLY CHOKING HERE! ABORT! ABORT! ABORT!
Student Maribelle: ...Huh?!
Boy: Hey, your bag's moving! Whatcha got in there?
Girl: IT'S A BUNNY!
Boy: Yeah, and a squirrel, too! That's AWESOME!
Student Maribelle: I... I don't... Pssst! Did you guys come because you were worried about me?
Girl: Awww, he's SOOOO cute! Can I pet him? Pleeeease?!
Boy: Me too! I wanna pet him!
Girl: Poke! Poke! D'aw, what a cutie! Give him here!
Rabbit: Squeeeeak!
Student Maribelle: Don't... No! Stop! Don't be so rough with him! If you're going to touch him, you have to be GENTLE! Otherwise you'll scare him.
Girl: Oh my gosh, I am SO sorry! I've just never touched a bunny before.
Student Maribelle: You don't have bunny friends?
Boy: Seriously? No. Who has "bunny friends"? I don't think there's a single rabbit anywhere in this whole town.
Girl: Yeah, I've never even seen one up close. Hey, so how SHOULD I pet him?
Student Maribelle: Let me show you. In fact, I'll teach you anything you want to know about animals!
Girl: Yaaay! Teach me everything!
Euden: Looks like she's back to her old self. That's great.
Notte: Yep! I wasn't worried for a second! Yes sir, ol' Notte knew this thing was a slam dunk from the moment we set out. I mean, heck, she's got an entire crowd of people AND animals helping her out. She couldn't possibly fail!
Euden: So long as she's her usual self at school, I think she'll be just fine.
Ranzal: Seems like a good first day all around.
Euden: In that case, let's head back.
Student Maribelle: ...Oh, and I have OTHER animal friends, too! Like birds, and deer, and even a bear!
Euden: You're going to be just fine, Maribelle.
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