Petunia stops, as she senses a presence right outside the door.

PETUNIA: Oh, it seems that our guest has arrived.

BETTI: PETUNIAAAAAAAAAA

PETUNIA: Haha, yes that’s me! What happened this time dear?

BETTI: PETUNIA A MEAN COG STOLE MY BOW.

Betti animatedly recounts the entire tale WAY too fast, but Petunia manages to understand everything regardless. She starts all the way from thing beginning with leaving Wesley’s house right to being thrown off a building.

BETTI: ...AND THAT’S WHY IM HERE NOW AND IM REALLY UPSET ABOUT IT!

BETTI: Oh, hi James!

JAMES: Heya!

BETTI: I’m being really loud, huh? Sorry.

JAMES: It’s no problem noodle!

BETTI: Anyways, the moral of the story is that I have to GO STEAL MY BOW BACK.

PETUNIA: Why not just get a new bow? I’m sure you have many already.

BETTI: NO PETUNIA! This is a FIGHT now ok? It’s about the BATTLE. That Backstabbers gonna get what’s coming to em just wait!

PETUNIA: ...If you insist! Please be careful as always, Betti.

BETTI: Why? You have another vision? I don’t know how your witch magic stuff works but you always know the right thing to do I think.

PETUNIA: Oh no, nothing like that! I just know how you are.

BETTI: What’s that supposed to mean!

JAMES: She means ya’ head’s as hard as a rock once ya decide on somethin’.

BETTI: HEY! Since when did you get so mean?

JAMES: Aye, I haven’t changed a bit, noodle!

BETTI: I told you to stop calling me noodle!

JAMES: I’m just messin’ with ya kid.

 PETUNIA: Ah, and this one can go right here for the display.

PETUNIA: Let’s see, this one’s purple? Or a bit closer to blue actually? Maybe it can go right between them.

PETUNIA: James, could you take the rest of these books to the back? And put the kettle on please, I think we’re going to have a friend visit us.

JAMES: Sure thing, boss! Hup!

JAMES: Ya know who’s comin’ so late at night ‘Tuna?

PETUNIA: A certain bunny who’s prone to get into trouble, it seems.

JAMES: Aye! I remember that girl, the rascal!

PETUNIA: Heheh.

PETUNIA: It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I’d love to sit and chat.

BETTI: WE'RE GONNA HIT THE GROUND!!!

BETTI: Oooogh.. That did NOT feel good.

BETTI: Hello..? All my limbs still here? Gangs all here...?

BETTI: I think I'm okay--

Betti looks around wildly, not recognizing her surroundings. It's much more gray here, wherever that was, than what she was used to.

BETTI: Wait a sec, where in sweet strawberry land am I???

BETTI: AND WHERE IS--

The Backstabber stands still for a moment longer after the other cog leaves, just to make sure they wouldn’t be coming back. When he thinks they’re gone, he goes back behind the shelf where Betti is.

BETTI: (Oh, the other cog left!!)

BETTI: Hey, what was all that about??? I was holdin’ my breath the whole time!

BACKSTABBER: You. Are leaving. Now.

BETTI: Wh- Hey wait no I just got here!!!

BACKSTABBER: Leaving! You’ve caused enough trouble as it is and I don’t feel like writing up a toon tonight.

Betti stands up, dusting herself off from the crash. Miraculously the INKPEN seems to be in perfect condition, but that Backstabber looks rather irritated.

BACKSTABBER: Your hazardous actions could have gotten us both killed. Do you toons have ANY sense of self-preservation??

BETTI: Well if you hadn't taken MY BOW--

BETTI: AND DON'T COGS EXPLODE IN BATTLES LIKE ALL THE TIME??

BETTI: Gimmie back my bow!! Now!!!!!

BACKSTABBER: That's not even how that works--

BACKSTABBER: And sure, let me just give this bow back to the toon that nearly killed me and herself like a fool.

BACKSTABBER: That was sarcasm. You are not getting this-- this wretched bow back.

Betti peeks between the various boxes on the storage shelves to see just what, or who was bad enough a threat for the Backstabber to insist she hid herself. Another cog that is taller than the Backstabber is talking to him, but she can’t see their face. She can make out most of the conversation though.

???: Never thought I’d see you in here so late. Did you lose something, perhaps?

BACKSTABBER: Oh- See- No, nothing like that! I was just on my way out actually.

PETUNIA: Oh him? That’s my dear companion James.

PETUNIA: Please, go on and introduce yourself.

The Robber Baron named James stands tall, puffing his chest out a bit. It almost seems like he’s trying to make himself look more intimidating, but it’s not really working.

JAMES: Aye! Hiya, I’m James an’ I work for miss ‘Tunia! Books are heavy so I do alotta the heavy liftin’ ‘round here. In return, ‘Tunia takes care o’ lil old me.

PETUNIA: Yes, all of that is true!

PETUNIA: I’m sure to an outsider our friendship may seem strange– A cog and a toon living domestically? Working together? A witch and a cog no less? It’s an unusual situation so I don’t blame you for being skeptical. 

PETUNIA: But I ask you to keep an open mind. Every friend of mine has played a major role in my story. I’d say the stars had us cross paths, and the stars are never wrong. 

PETUNIA: …Plus, I know you are all kind and will surely keep our secret!

PETUNIA: Also there’s no real reason for concern, considering how completely harmless James is.