Let's go on an adventure!

“Of course you’re a stranger. We’ve never met before. But I understand why you’re doing this. I don’t think you’re a bad person trying to hurt me or anything. I just think that you are concerned about me, being  kid on my own. But I’m fine, really.”

Frisk offered the bear a big smile. They had a lot of faith in people. Not in humanity, but in people. As a group, humans were foul. As a individuals, most were good.

“But we don’t have to be strangers. Here, my name is Frisk. What’s yours?”

After feeling mighty embarrassed of himself for the previous outburst, he was relieved to see there was no harm done and he wouldn’t be reported to Hive City officials. The child came off as... awfully wise beyond their years, and definitely one of the more pleasant faces the bear came across in both experiences here and back home. The sentiment was returned by offering his own, toothy grin.

“Uh, sure sure! I always love makin’ new friends in the city, especially when you feel all alone somewhere so big n’ grand. I come from the humble ole’ countryside, y’know!” Of course, he’d stop himself from rambling to introduce himself in turn.

Frisk didn’t even blink an eye at the fact they were being talked to by a talking bear. There were bear monsters in Snowdin too. It was more of a surprise that the bear said the word monster in such a way. If they’d been human, Frisk would have burned into them with a fiercely protective glare that would someday make them a terror as an ambassador. Instead, they could only be confused.

“Why was is that a bad thing? I like monsters.”

Frisk tilted their head to the side.

“Besides, I was told not to let strangers walk me home.”

“Hold the phone... are you implying that I’m a stranger?” After thinking to himself for a second or two, he didn’t even need to let the young child answer that question.

“... err, right. I s’pose I just sorta showed up outta nowhere, huh?” Cue nervous ruffling at the back of his head. It must have been quite the sight for others: a bumbling bear looking as if he were kidnapping a human and yelling nonsense about monsters -- the latter of which didn’t seem to faze them. What could that mean?

A kid... someone left their kid out here! A poor target to the likes of kidnapping for reasons such as stealing youth’s inner beauty for one’s selfish gain. Since such an elaborate description had already happened to him, it was Banjo’s natural instinct to go march right over and save them from any green witches who might be lurking in Hive City too. He’d deal with the neglectful parents later.

“C’mon, let’s get you home right away, kiddo!”

Another evening on the town, and with no hopes of find that foulmouthed breegull anytime soon, he’s invested more time in collecting magical musical notes and jigsaw pieces. If they actually existed -- instead, Banjo faced the horrors of urban living. This was especially difficult considering one’s status in being a bear.

But at least he maintained that friendly nature when approaching others no matter how rude or shady they were. It’s something Banjo’s used to by now.

I-It talked! 

The more she thought about it, the more preposterous that remark seemed. This was the city that brought gods and monsters together under the same roof with humans, so of course talking animals would have been included in there somewhere. 

A step taken back, she tried to reason with him, yet words initially failed to come out at that moment as she was still dazzled by the sight of him. Then, she finally tucked her head, eyes drawn elsewhere before looking back at the bear.

❝U-Um, no… I… I’m sorry, did I bother you?…❞

“Nah, you’re good! Well... maybe a lil’ startled by seeing your reflection and all, but it’s no fur off my nose.”

For some reason Banjo had a lingering feeling that his mere presence was enough to raise a few brows (or at least that’s what it seemed like for this case). Hive City was populated with a good chunk of humans, and any other species weren’t a dime a dozen -- let alone bears such as himself.

Of course, he easily managed a grin to show that he was quite friendly all around. A bit of an oddball, but easygoing nonetheless.

“D’oh, at least I’m not sick anymor-... ACHOO!!”

...

nutsandbears

❝A mascot?…❞

Coincidentally, she came across a bear… that stood outside the entrance of a store. What kind of merchandise that were sold within the said store hadn’t come into her mind as much as the animal that was oddly placed there. She was aware that humans were not only the ones that resided within the city, and in fact there were many that weren’t human at all. Yet with careful steps she crept up to the furry critter, willing to speculate closely to see whether eyes deceived her or not.

Humming to himself in thought, Banjo was currently peering from the glass pane into a store full of little trinkets -- with the money recently earned from throwing fish at people (not quite literally) he figured it was about high time to give himself a reward. At least, this was considering all the mishaps he’s been through thus far.

Though upon his eyes looking to and fro from outside, he eventually noticed another person’s reflection at the rear. The honey bear turned around, registering the lady before him. Thank heavens it wasn’t a used car salesman.

“Been feelin’ under the weather and mighty fatigued from having nightmares about cars... “

“Eh?”

“Uh – I, I don’t mind! Is there something you need?”

“Yep! Just a lil’ lookout, if that makes any sense.”

❝ I… see. ❞

          Say’ri had a difficult time imagining why a simple bowl           of water would be called a toilet, even if it were bigger.           Why not just call it as it is? Nevertheless, if that’s what           they were called here, then she supposed it didn’t hurt to           know. Something did seem a little off, though, by the way           he phrased his answer. Perhaps she would need to find           out more later- The list of things she didn’t understand           here only seemed to be growing.

❝ –Pardon my manners, as I have not yet introduced myself.           I am called Say’ri, and… I cannot say I have ever met           a bear that spoke with words, and not with his claws. ❞

... did he just give out a piece of misinformation? While someone like Kazooie couldn’t care less and would likely let this slide, Banjo felt that he’d be held accountable if she went around asking for a toilet. Oh well, maybe it’ll slip her mind and all the better to save themselves from embarrassment.

Hopefully.

“I suppose that each man has his own definition of           what ‘normal’ can be. In my world, there were           far fewer things with eyes.”

          Say’ri listened to the bear speak, interested in           how his world and hers differed. Surely there were           countless differences, the eyes being one, but the           young woman could never be bored by tales of lands           far away. There was one thing that bothered her,           though…

“Pardon my interrupting, but… What is a ‘toilet’?”

“Yuh don’t know what that is? Oh... ”

Banjo should have realized that he was speaking to a woman derived from bygone centuries; her old-world, Eastern attire and manner of speaking were signals of such already. But now he’s been asked to explain what a toilet is -- not something he’d expect to hear upon waking up today.