Bear n' Town

Newcomer

As I walked into the center of the town and saw the gathering of people surrounding the large light blue stone with which the mayor sat ontop. She was catlike, skeletal, and spoke loudly and with an authority.

"Yes it is true that there is a newcomer coming to our town. They have filled out the application and been approved by both me and our resident doctor. They will be arriving Any second now and we should all greet them with open arms once they do." the crowd listened intently to what she said with varied reactions most common among them however was distaste. I stepped towards the group and finally I was noticed.

"Oh! They're here! They're here!" shouted a very limp looking pumpkin before being shushed by a equally limp skeleton. Several eyes turned to look at me as I stood there looking out on the crowd. In them I noticed an obvious divide between citizens. There was a group of bears which seemed quite similar all except one who stood out from the others. Then the group of very limp almost Halloween esque toys who were being towered over by the rather large and colorful elephant who accompanied them. Next to them was a group of stuffys who all seemed very blocky and similar in style who glared at me for a reason I did not know. I of course noticed the two individuals standing furthest from everyone. A spider with a sort of fox-cat-dog like creature with eyes that looked like they were bloodshot times ten. Then last I noticed the individuals on the stage. The three catlike stuffys stood on the stage with varying amounts of confidence. The mayor Ms. Skelcat stood next to a much smaller catlike stuffy who was only slightly less skeletal and next to them was a actually cat who seemed quite joyful to be on the stage.

The Mayor Proceeded to come down from the stage and the crowd moved to allow her through as she shuffled towards me. "Hello Mr.Bear it is good to see you. I assume the journey was a smooth one seeing as you seem quite well. I do apologize as not all residents are currently here. Three of us were not able to make it but the other twenty-two are here for your welcome." She informed me.

"Oh, that's quite alright I don't mind that not everyone's here. I didn't even expect such a large greeting in the first place. Oh, and just Bear will do I don't much care for formalities when it comes to names or titles for myself. Plus Mr.Bear reminds me far to much of my father whom I am not." Ms.Skelcat simply nodded her head at this before turning around and shuffling back toward the stage.

"Everyone feel free to welcome Bear to town. As it is his first day here I expect you all to at least try to be amicable. I unfortunately cannot stay for the continued welcome as I have very urgent business to attend to." and with that she turned again the curtains falling over the stage and shielding her from view. And before I could even look back to the crowd I feel a small poke at my leg.

"Wow! You're so tall and you're a bear!"  I heard as I looked down and was meant with the small bear I say with the other bears earlier. "Dad look! They're a bear too!" I look at who the best could be talking to and was met by a bear with a disheveled look who scowled at me as I looked at him.

"He may be a bear but he certainly ain't a Freddy." he said with a level of malice I wouldn't have expected to hear so soon. I looked back down to see the little bears dejected look at their father's disapproval as they shuffled away. "What kind of name is that anyway huh? "Bear" that's ridiculous. What next a dog named Dog?" this time however when he spoke it was to me.

"Oh, well, it's just what I've always been called. If it troubles you you may call me something else." I offered only to receive a scuff as he turned and walked away. His kid shuffling along behind him. Once he was gone in his place stood to similar bears who looked at each other with faces both equally a little shocked.

"Wow." one of them said. They looked at me and I was expecting a similar hostility only for them to both look relatively awkward instead. "I'm really sorry about that. Um, he's not usually that mean." One of them started.

"He's just been really stressed out recently it's not that he actually hates you. Well actually, he might. Well no, I'm sure he doesn't. I'm sorry." The other seemed to speak unsure of what he was saying. "Anyways. I'm Golden Freddy. It's nice to meet you. I think." They gave me a smile that reminded me of someone about to throw up.

"And I'm Freddy. Just Freddy. It's nice to meetcha we don't get many newcomers what with the real strict application system The Mayors got going." they shrugged as they spoke."Listen our brother may be prickly but don't be scared to chat if you want with us. We should get going though. See ya." Freddy said as they waved and left grabbing Golden Freddy and almost dragging them with.

As they left I looked around and decided I'd try to go say hi to the blocky looking stuffys but as I walked towards them I noticed them whispering amongst themselves before they all start to walk off moving past me and when I tried to say hello I simply got glares and a singular no. I stood there for a minute wondering what the hell had just happened before I headed towards the group of limp looking characters and the elephant.

"Oh, he's coming over here! He's coming over!" the pumpkin exclaimed excitedly.

"Yes we can see Jack." the skeleton spoke covering the pumpkins mouth.

I reached the group and waved. "Hello my name is Bear. And you colorful lot are?" I asked and waited for an answer as they all seemed to look at each other before looking up at the elephant.

"Yes hello Bear we," the elephant gestured with their trunk dramatically as the puppets all did different poses. "Are the theater crew. We handle all things entertainment, makeup, and acting." the elephant seem very pleased with themselves as they declared this."and I am Barnaby the residents director, puppet master, show planner, etc." they gestured to themselves with their trunk wildly as they said this and then looked at me expectantly.

"Wow. That's really interesting. I bet the shows are amazing."  I said hoping I sounded excited even though I wasn't particularly invested as I'm not a fan of theater. "So then you all are puppet then?" I asked.

"Well yes we are!" said a green Monster puppet proudly. "We are puppets and actors! I am Mike. This is Mic." they pointed to a pink monster who had their hands on their hips and a confident smirk on their face."And that-"

"We can introduce ourselves dimwit!" shouted the catwitch puppet. "I am Seline." she said loudly then looked to the skeleton puppet.

"Stat. I'm Stat." the skeleton spoke simply.

"I'm Jack!" yelled the pumpkin next to Stat. "You know we have a show tomorrow you should come! The tickets are free!" they exclaimed.

"Oh, um, sure I'll show up. Um, I should probably go meet some of the others then get settled into my new house." I said as I excused myself. I honestly didn't see a reason not to attend even if it wasn't something that I may love I had no other plans and it would be good to get out and maybe see the other residents. As I turned around I noticed that any of the other residents had run off. I stood there for a moment before deciding that I could simply meet the rest of them tomorrow and for now I could simply head to my new house and settle in. I walked towards the house and noticed that it was a quaint, small, and cozy little place with lots of plants surrounding it. I walked in and noticed the lots of heart based decor. I sat down on the couch which was a beautiful shade of crimson and pondered the day. So many of the residents were cold or rude but not all of them were. I can take the victories I get and live with the fails. Anything is better than the wars and trouble of the last town. This could work. Yes, this will work. I can truly live here. This could be home.