Smiling Critters 2: The Story Continues.

Once And For All.

(💧)

As I walked through those cold hallways, back to the search for DogDay, I couldn't stop thinking about what could have happened for Lucky and Hoppy to have returned in those conditions.
Who knew where they had gone...
...possibly around here, because it smells a bit burnt in the area.
But surely they come from the same place where the folder was, because I honestly don't remember where I left it.
It could be in the annex...but perhaps when they caught us, they also looked for an object that interested them, and took the folder.

I would not be surprised if the Rejected Critters took it for their own benefit. Although I prefer that they not read what is inside.
This information can damage us irreversibly if it ever comes to light...

While searching, I got the scare of my life.
Someone crossed me in front of me. Luckily, it was just Bubbaphant.

SnarkShark: What a scare, dude! Put on a bell or something so I can hear you coming...

Bubba Bubbaphant: Sorry, I was going to leave the sector. Bobby's not here.

SnarkShark: Maybe you should return to PlayCare? No worries, I'll look for the other two.

Bubba Bubbaphant: I don't recommend you go alone, SnarkShark. I tell you from experience.

SnarkShark: Don't be exaggerated, it sure wasn't-

I fell silent when I saw that cold and serious look from the elephant. I already knew that he wasn't joking at all.
Also, the image of seeing him in the middle of conversion left me a bit scarred...

SnarkShark: ...Well, it was that bad. But it won't be very safe for you to come with me anyway. If they catch you, we'll have a problem.

Bubba Bubbaphant: It will be the same if they catch you alone. It's better that we both have someone else to cover our backs.

SnarkShark: ...Fine. Come with me.

Both of us began looking around the sectors.
I couldn't resist the urge of looking at Bubba, who looked too enigmatic a serious for him to be a Smiling Critter.
I couldn't tell how Bubba looked for me. I could say...serious? Cold? Secretive? Maybe a bit gruff and standoffish?
If he had those traits, why was he in a group full of energetic and positive Critters? What could use he had in PlayCare? How he took care of children?
At least I had some use; I was going to teach children how music could help them to understand their feelings, as well as what was around them.
What could he teach the children? What made him special anyway?
And speaking of that...if he is like that, how come he made friends with Picky and Kickin, if they're pretty extroverted?
And he's not!

Saying Bubba is extroverted is like saying I'm pink.

There came a time when Bubba looked at me out of the corner of his eye.
He realized that I was also watching him surreptitiously.

Bubba Bubbaphant: What are you looking at?

I looked back at the front, trying to apparent some normality.

SnarkShark: Nothing.

He didn't buy it, of course.

Bubba Bubbaphant: Dude, you were looking at me.