popka

I can give you a good whack, if you want!

I'm really strong!

Whap whap whap!

You're too strong, Bubble. You'll smack me so hard I'll turn dumb.

Really? I guess I won't do that then.

Buzz, buzz.

Hmm...

This is boring. Look, Shamare's even talking in her sleep. Popukar, lemme play with your brum brum brrrrr thing a little.

Okay, but the brum brum brrrr thing won't go brrrr today.

Why?

The thing that makes it go brrrr is being fixed.

It broke when I was helping everyone else brrrr things.

Oh.

I'll think of something else to play, then.

You should spend less time on training and classes and play more like me, Popukar. That other stuff is boring.

But if we don't keep up with our training, we might get hurt when we go beat up the baddies.

Besides, I need to help out Orchid, and everyone else.

You're such a goody two-shoes! You should be like me. Grab a shield and charge straight ahead.

That's a good way to get hurt.

When I started out, I didn't know what I was doing. I took my brum brum brrrr thing and swung it all over the place, and it got people hurt sometimes, people I didn't wanna hurt.

Then I started training and I learned to listen to Orchid. She does the thinking, and I do the listening.

That way I won't get hurt, and neither does anybody else. I think it's a nice thing.

The people you don't wanna hurt, are they strong? Like, as strong as Papa?

I don't think so, but they take good care of me.

Orchid combs my hair, and Midnight picks out clothes for me.

Catapult brings me tasty food, and Spot finds me fun comics to read.

Wow—That does sound nice! I should get the Doctor to find me some servants too.

But how come you still chase them with your brum brum brrrr thing?

Brum brum brrrr thing? Chase who?

I wouldn't do that.

Shamare always says she's a big girl and so nobody's allowed to pat her head.

But she actually gets all happy whenever she gets a headpat.

Shamare does?

Yep!

Oh, I have an idea! Shamare's tail is so much fun to play with. Wanna try?

It's so smooth and soft. Not even the beast hide on Papa's throne is that smooth.

Shamare will get mad.

She's asleep! She doesn't have to know!

But what if she wakes up?

Hrmph.

Let me think of something else...

We could wrestle?

Orchid says we're not allowed to wrestle in the lounge. She says it could disturb someone's rest.

You listen to everything she says? Sheesh...

I'll keep an eye... on her...

Poor Shamare. So bored she's talking in her sleep.

There's gotta be something fun we can do...?

I got it!

Let's arm wrestle! That's safe enough, right?

It's quiet, we get to see which one of us's stronger, and most importantly—

We've never done it before.

I guess.

Let's use this table, then. Come!

Ready?

Yeah.

Hmph!

Ahh!

I've never lost an arm wrestling match...

Hnggh! Haah!

By Papa's name!

I will never lose at arm wrestling!

Haah!

Hyah!

W-We broke the table...

(Whispers) W-What do we do?

(Whispers) I dunno!

Zzzz...

That was close. But she's still asleep.

If we woke her up, she'd curse me for sure.

W-What about the table?

Let the janitor take care of it!

But what if the janitor asks? W-What do we tell him?

We'll tell him it broke on its own!

It's not good to lie...

I don't want a spanking!

Spankings are worse than lying!

*Whimpers*...

Okay, when the adults show up, we'll tell them the table broke on its own. Okay?!

Okay...

Hm, your eyepatch's tilted.

There's something black inside...

(Readjusts eyepatch hurriedly)

Is that black thing those bad rocks?

Maybe. I didn't touch it.

Orchid and Auntie Kal'tsit told me to never take my eyepatch off.

Why?

I don't remember...

Then let me take a look, okay? Just a peek. You can put it right back. It'll be fine.

Hm...

I'll share my snacks with you. I got a really tasty box from the fat purple Vulpo girl last week.

And it's your favorite wafers!

Deal?

Okay...

Just a peek, though.

Okay!

Hehe!

Mmm...

What's wrong?

I-It's too bright...

Hold on! I'll turn off the lights!