Snowcon Forest

Settling In

"I can't believe so much has changed." Christine sighed as she looked out over Subcon Forest.

At this moment she, Snatcher and Moonjumper were all resting atop the large, glowing mushroom that had sprouted out of the tree Snatcher called home. Christine sat in the middle while the other two rested beside her, the shadow choosing to float rather than sit like Moonjumper had. The ice coated woman was looking off in the distance towards the two towers, one covered in ice while the other appeared to be torn apart by spikey vines.

She had never visited either of these locations since most of her business was focused on the main village with some trips out to the edges of the old kingdom's territory, but with everything that had happened and what she had learned, she found herself wanting to know more about the distant structures.

Wondering if they held their own secrets...

"Do not worry Christine!" Moonjumper chimed in, smiling at the woman sitting on the mushroom beside him. "Subcon will feel like home in no time!"

"Yeah," Snatcher added, a faint smirk on his face as he glanced over at the duo. "With all these kids running around it'll feel like the village pretty soon."

"You mean my new nieces?" Christine teased, smiling growing wider when her best friend, or friends, nodded.

Hat Kid was an absolute sweetheart, she had learned during her short time knowing the hatted child. Energetic and helpful, willing to do whatever she could to aid those in need, and she could be quite mature for her age. Mu, on the other hand, was a bit headstrong and stubborn, and she could be a bit rude, but Christine had a feeling that with Moonjumper's help the mustached child would open up to others soon enough.

Snatcher laughed. "I still can't believe that mustached brat thought we were dating."

A faint growl escaped Moonjumper, a menacing red glow taking over his eyes as he glared at the no longer laughing shadow. "Snatcher-"

"Relax Moonboy! I was just joking!" The shadow interrupted, holding his hands up in the air in an attempt to placate the aggravated corpse.

Christine broke down laughing, cackling as Moonjumper threateningly floated over to the cringing Snatcher. He got closer, closer...

Then he lunged!

Snatcher shrieked as Moonjumper threw himself as him, wrapping his arms around the shadow's fluffy neck. Next he leaned down and started.... nuzzling Snatcher?

The heck?!

"Do not worry." Moonjumper cooed, snuggling the struggling shadow. "I knew you were joking, I just wanted to play a trick on you!"

Christine was laughing so hard small, crystalline tears had begun to fall from her glowing, pink eyes.

"Get off Moonboy!" Snatcher barked, trying to shove the affectionate creature off of him.

Eventually Moonjumper relented and let him go, flashing a smirk at the flustered shadow. The trio returned to their original positions with Moonjumper and Snatcher chatting about the treehouse they needed to build at some point. Unfortunately Christine soon found herself lost in thought once again, thinking about her future in the spooky forest.

What should I do now? Keep selling flowers like nothing happened or should I figure out something else to do?

She sighed and looked out over the forest just like she had done previously, except this time the wonder in her gaze had been replaced by sorrow and confusion.