a thousand silhouettes

[Slyly] If I told you, I’d have to kill you.

[Laughs] I’m joking, but I guess it’s just because I’m good at keeping secrets. 

"Crickets keep secrets?"

Aha! [laughs] You can’t sort of lie. 

I forgive you. I mean, I never really believed you. Pleasure. My name’s Cricket.

He laughs. "Yeah, I figured you didn't believe me. Why are you called Cricket?"

"No?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "I’m sure you are. Everything’s interesting in their own way. Even if someone’s boring it’s why they’re boring is what’s fascinating. All I know about is that your name is Michael and that’s it."

"Okay. I live with the Picanniny and...I like running and jumping off of tall things. How's that?" 

"Maybe’s good. Well, I suppose I could get to know you first."

He reaches up toward a tree branch just above him and hangs from it lazilly. "I'm not all that interesting honestly."

She thought about this for a while. “I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe.”

"Maybe's good, I guess. Better than a flat out no. Okay, what will improve my chances?"

Thank you. 

How peculiar. Peter Pan’s real name is Michael? [she taps her chin] If you name all of us, who named you?

He laughs. "Oh no, I'm fessing up. I'm not Peter Pan. I sort of lied maybe."

"No," she agreed with a small nod. "I guess I don’t. Do you want to get to know me?"

"Of course. Will you let me get to know you?"

"It’s nice of you to remember my name but I’m not sure that counts as knowing me though."

"Fair enough. I guess you don't know me either."

Forgive me oh great and powerful ruler. 

Your new look has…confused me, that’s all.

"Good. I accept your apology. Anyway, my real name is Michael."

"Do you remember my name, though? I’m sure you know a lot of people."

"Yes, you're...Stitch! See? I know you."

Well…it’s certainly…different.

I might have gone with something a bit more intimidating, though. 

"Hey, you can't be rude to Peter Pan."

"And a random Lost Girl."

"Hey, you're not completely random. At least I know who you are."

I think I’d know if you were Peter Pan. 

Unless you’ve recently changed faces.

"Maybe I have changed faces. Do you like this one?"

After dropping his hand she asked, “Seen anything interesting?”

"Nope," he says. "Just the usual leaves and bugs."

Stitch jumped slightly and quickly turned around to face the boy. She tried not to laugh but an amused smile played upon her lips. “Hello again,” she said as she extended a hand to help him up. “What were you doing up there?”

He takes her hand and stands. "Studying the foliage and wildlife."

"No need to lie to me Michael," she said, not believing his words. "But we’ll see." 

"I'm not lying, Stitch." He starts jogging away. "See you later," he says waving.