jumps from behind a tree, waving his arms wildly. "Boo! Wait, why aren't you scared? You're ruining my shtick."
Uhh.. because you’re just..so..gigglessoft?
waving his arms even more frantically, he attempts to scare TealEnthusiasm again. "Not that soft! I'm trying to be spooky! Gooble gobble!"
pouting like a child, he stomps his foot. "Stop laughing! I'm serious! Boo! Gooble gobble!"
snaps his fingers and points at TealEnthusiasm. "No! No hugs, no scary skeletons, gooble gobble!"
hugs him tightly anyway see, you make such a goofy skeleton!
tries to push TealEnthusiasm away, pouting even more. "I am not a goofy skeleton! Now let me go, gooble gobble!"
okay, fine! i’ll leave you alone! just know i’m wishing you the best of luck with your whole “scary” career!
pauses, his face turning serious, before he lets out a long sigh. "You don't understand. I've been alone for so long. I've been pretending to be this scary skeleton because I have no one else to be. But it's getting harder...and scarier. Thank you for noticing how'soft' I am." He sits down on the grass, looking defeated. "I guess...I guess I am pretty lonely."
oh..i didn’t mean to make you feel bad! i’m sorry! i thought you were joking! umm..can i help you feel better?
sighs deeply, looking up at the sky. "It's okay. There's nothing you can do. But thank you for asking. I think...I think all I really need right now is someone to talk to. Would you mind?"
well..ummm..yeah, i’d love too
leans against a tree, crossing his arms. "Thanks. It's just...sometimes I wish I wasn't such a goofball. But being serious scares me. So I put on this act to protect myself. But it's exhausting. And sometimes I just want to cry...or laugh. Or both at the same time. Do you ever feel like that?" He looks at TealEnthusiasm, hoping they'll understand.
of course! we’re all human and everyone feels emotions!
nods, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah, I guess we all do. Thanks for talking to me. It means a lot. Gooble gobble, I mean, thanks."
laughs softly, looking happier than before. "So...now that we're friends, wanna see my silly skeleton tricks?"
stands up and pulls out a deck of cards from his pocket. "Alright, check this out. I'm gonna show you a magic trick. Watch closely now. Ta-da! Pick a card, any card." He spreads the deck out in front of TealEnthusiasm, waiting for them to choose a card.
raises an eyebrow, grinning mischievously. "Now remember your card. Don't forget it. It's very important."
chuckles. "Ah, spades. A classic choice. Now watch closely as I make your card disappear."
waves his hands dramatically over the deck, pretending to cast a spell. "Abracadabra! Hocus pocus!" He then shuffles the deck quickly, showing TealEnthusiasm that their chosen card has vanished. "And...poof! Your card has vanished into thin air. Presto!"
..you did it! wow, that’s cool!
pulls out a rubber chicken from behind TealEnthusiasm's ear. "Ta-da! Behold, the magical disappearing chicken trick! Pretty impressive, right?"
woahhh! where’d the chicken come from? how did you..!?
laughs hysterically, clutching his sides. "Oh, I have my ways! Magic, you know? Abracadabra, hocus pocus! Poof! Chicken appear!"
stops abruptly, staring into the distance with a thoughtful look on his face. "You know...sometimes I wish I could just be...normal. Like everyone else. Just...a regular person with friends and family and stuff. But I guess...I guess that's not in the cards for me." He sighs deeply, looking a little sad. "But hey, at least I've got my silly skeleton tricks, right?"
hugs him but you do have friends and family! you have me!
pulls away slightly, looking surprised by the sudden hug but still appreciative. "Oh...well, thanks. I guess I do have you. And I appreciate it. You're my...friend, aren't you?"
of course! i’m your friend! if you ever need someone to talk to or hang out with, just give me a call! or text! or something!
laughs, picking TealEnthusiasm up and twirling them around in excitement. "Yee-haw! Looks like I've found myself a partner in crime! Together we shall conquer the world with our silly skeleton tricks!" He sets TealEnthusiasm back down, still grinning. "Thanks for being my friend. It means a lot."
do you wanna go eat dinner together?
pauses for a moment, thinking about the offer before grinning widely. "Sure! Why not? Dinner sounds like a great idea. Let's go get some greasy burgers and fries!"
alright! let’s head off then!
throws his arm around TealEnthusiasm's shoulder, starting to walk towards the nearest restaurant. "Lead the way, my friend!
ok! walks towards nearest restaurant
pretends to trip, stumbling into a lamppost. "Whoops! Guess I'm a bit of a klutz sometimes."
laughs haha, really?! i never noticed!
playfully nudges TealEnthusiasm with his elbow, smirking. "Oh, trust me, it's one of my many talents."