Viktoria

“And that’s why Ophiuchus would win in a fistfight against 10 very ravenous raccoons. Thank you.” Parri gave a dramatic bow before bounding over to her audience, giddy with glee. “How was that? You think it’d get a laugh outta the crew?”

Ribbit. Three frogs sat politely on a tree stump.

“Awesome! One more rehearsal should do, then. You guys are seriously the best with advice.”

Croak.

“Mm, I guess.” Parri sighed and slumped against the stump. “I just, they’re all so cool! I’m still not sure how I landed a job with this team of all-stars. Yknow this mask?” She held it out and let it catch the rays. “I wish the only reason I needed to wear it was so I could have a portable frogbath wherever I went. No bandit would be scared of a scrawny little twerp like me.”

The frogs chattered with vigor, and one hopped onto Parri’s shoulder.

“What’s that you say?” Parri gasped, and listened intently. “By looking cute I have the element of surprise? Oh, you’re a genius!” Parri scooped her frogs into her mask and triumphantly hopped around the clearing. “What are we waiting for? No raccoon will stand a chance against this proposal!”

And with that, she took off for the caravan, into the brush and out of this world.