h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Are those s planting sumthin' in my hair?

They're just decorating you a bit... lovely little daisies and a couple of buttercups. They look ever so pretty!

Oh. Thassss a good thing!...*carefully gets up as not to harm the wee little ones...* I think a nap is in order. VIP, would you care for a satin pillow and a light blankie? I'm jusss gonna' lie down and close my eyes for a secon

*chuckles quietly to herself*

*whispers*
I think you've had a long day, Pandora, what with the and the food and everything. You deserve a nap.

*covers Pandora with the blanket and puts the satin pillow beneath her head, and makes herself comfortable on the soft earth*

...*dreams of ...*

Dreams of a concert where she has to wear a short black-and-white skirt, red, and a hat with netting on it. Oh, and walting with her clarinet teacher. Strange, really.

...*dreams that VIP is dancing with her music intstructor...*

Actually, don't dream too hard, I think I have once or twice!

*the air is beginning to feel cooler, and a thin white mist is rising from the water*

Oh, so beautiful!

*watches the steam in the silence surrouding them. Time seems to slow, and movement gentler, slower, and less necessary*

Ooooo...pretty.
Best wrap yourself in this wee blanket VIP...it wouldn't do
for you to catch a chill!
...*takes several rocks from around the water's edge and makes a fire ring...puts layers of driftwood in the ring...*
...*Pandora and VIP sit in silence *mistified*...*

*as the sun begins to set it grows even chillier*

*the mist seems to be thickening, soon making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead*

*the wind blows whispering through the grass - or is that the wind?*

*whispers*

Oh Pandora... I never want to leave....

K.! I'll stay right by your side keeping you safe and warm...
...*wonders what that whooshing sound is...takes her saber from it's sheath...just in case...tucks the blanket around VIP...listens again...*

*suddenly a big is heard from the direction of the river somewhere in front of the visitors*

*almost simultaneously a distinct can be heard from somewhere behind them*

*the fog is now so thick that it threatens to put out the fire*

*realises she is shivering even though she isn't cold*

The fog clings to them, making their hair damp and each breath slightly difficult. The splash seemed to leave no ripple, but VIP wants to find out more. With an air of elegance, yet seemingly without control, she flungs away the blanket and begins to walk towards the water...

...*Pandora reaches out in the nick of time and grabs the back of VIP's gown...*Oh no you don't Missy!...ssshhh...listen...
...*firmly shoves VIP into the crook of a tree...stands in front of VIP holding her saber at ready...the fog is so thick you cannot tell from what direction the sounds are coming...Pandora tries to hold her breath...not making a sound...waits...waits...waits...*

Intones:

But I must... follow...

*a rustling as of leaves in a storm can be heard from all around them*

*the ground seems to be shaking beneath their feet*

*the tree behind VOP's back seems to have moved away from her - or has it?*