>> Jay: Trim the Roses

[Erik Vrell]

Jay took his regular path through the woods, one that was both efficient, safe and scenic. Through the gap between the two elm trees, carefully down the slope, then along the river until you come to a makeshift bridge of stone. Cross the river, then follow the dirt track through the woods until you come to the ancient oak, then simply climb another slope and you're back in Jay's garden. It had taken a lot of trial and error to find the path, but it was worth it in the long run. There weren't many things in life more satisfying than a jog along this particular trail. Little did Jay know that this familiar trail would hold a surprise today. 

As Jay skidded to a halt at the base of the slope and turned towards the river, he noticed something disconcerting. Where a patch of brambles previously grew was now a gaping hole. Jay bent over to inspect the damage and noticed bear tracks running through the destroyed foliage. This particularly worried Jay because there was a certain bear around these areas that was a particular thorn in his side. Not only did it relentlessly ravage Jay's plants, but the boy could hardly do anything to stop it. There was many an encounter which ended in Jay cowering inside and watching the beast destroy his garden through a window. Thankfully, it never seemed interested in the roses. Not wanting to risk a bloody fight in the middle of the woods, Jay clutched his scythe tighter and took off a touch faster than before. 

Jay arrived home half an hour later, panting and drenched with sweat from his panicked dash through the woods. While he had started off with a brisk jog, his paranoia grow until he broke into a full sprint. Jay stepped inside and hung up his scythe before checking pesterOmni. He had not one but two pending chats.

[spoiler] 
VC: whats up
VC: yeah, i have
VC: sure, i guess
VC: cya
[/spoiler]

A pleasant chat with Paul, nothing too out of the ordinary. What was surprising was a pester from Paige. While Jay liked Paige well enough, and they were what most would refer to as friends, the two never really talked that much. Jay was never one for Paige's talkatively, nor Paige for Jay's quietness. Nevertheless, Jay was happy to talk to someone. It got lonely out in the woods sometimes, and Paige and Paul both lived beyond walking distance.

[spoiler]
VC: yes, i am well
VC: i have recently come into possession of a copy of SBURB
VC: i didn't want to be the only one not to have a copy
VC: do we have a headcount?
VC: very good
VC: of course
VC: rules are what make the world work
VC: i won't bore you with another rules speech today
VC: i'm happy at least one of you guys see the light
VC: alright
VC: that's... odd
VC: please, go on
VC: i have
VC: hmm
VC: intriguing
VC: i see
VC: oh
VC: uh, ok
VC: this sounds... very in depth
VC: i may
VC: i don't see who else would fill the position
VC: really, frisk?
VC: don't get me wrong, the kid is great, but she seems so... shy 
VC: oh, of course
VC: you got me
VC: indeed
VC: of course, i meant no offence
VC: see you soon
[/spoiler]

Jay just sat there for a moment, taking it all in. It was all so complex, almost unnecessarily so. No matter, he would get everyone through this, no matter how convoluted. After all, who else is as qualified as him. Just as he thought this and a rare smirk crossed Jay's face, the sound nightmares are made of pierced the air. The roar of a bear. Not just any bear, but Jay's nemesis. The boy's face quickly morphed into a terrified expression as he dashed to grab his scythe. Jay crouched behind the nearest window, scythe in hand. He knew he should be safe inside, but if the bear went after his roses, Jay couldn't force himself to stay inside.