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*though himeko was excited about the beach, she has decided to go off on her own. she leaves for parts unknown, only seeing her Other friends waving and smiling as she leaves*

himeko: this place is kinda weird.

???: if you say so.

*himeko turns to see a cat on a ledge*

himeko: what do you mean if i say so?

cat: this place is strange. that much is true. but this place is only your other world. you humans are always so separate. only we cats stay together.

himeko: oh, well, do you have a name?

cat: well, no. the only reason you have a name is because you do not know who you really are. i know who i really am, so i don't need a name.

himeko: that's nice.

*she walks off and finds a cinema. going inside, she finds not only movie theaters, but also stages. she decides on a live performance*

himeko: wow, this place is nearly packed.

*sits down next to a tiny, but adorable Scottish terrier*

dog: what do you think?

himeko: i don't know. it's so much to take in.

dog: you'll get used to it. it doesn't take a long time.

*just then, she sees two boys on trapezes doing tricks not even normal Gaians would attempt. they always seem to fall from the ceiling, but one always catches the other, leading to a bunch of yapping of tails and loud barking. i guess that's them saying it's awesome*

boy #1: thank you very much!

*everyone's still barking and yapping*

boy #2: how's everyone doing?

*the dogs yap and bark even louder. one of the boys senses something strange. well, what's so strange? i mean, even those boys have paper white skin and black button eyes*

himeko: they look like that, too. the same paper skin and button eyes.

dog: yeah, well, everyone looks about the same here. oooh! look! they're searching for volunteers! why don't you go up there? it's rare that they see a human.

boy #1: how 'bout...*points at himeko* you, miss!

dog: go on!

*himeko stands up and goes onto the stage. the boy comes over*

boy #1: how are you doing, miss *kisses her hand and turns to the audience* what do you think of our volunteer?!

*the audience barks loudly*

boy #1: alright, miss, now i need you to stand over here. *leads himeko to a platform with a board behind it and places a balloon on her head. he then goes over to the other and ties a blindfold over his button eyes. himeko braced herself as the other boy pulls out a knife from a box*

boy #2: is this a knife i hold?

audience: yes, it is a knife you hold!

*the first boy spins the other around three times and faces him towards himeko. the blindfolded boy aims the knife and throws it. the knife pops the balloon and sticks onto the board. himeko breathes out and the audience barks very loudly*

boy #1: what do you think? was she an inspiration or what?!

*the audience is in a uproar as the boy hands himeko a box of chocolates. she heads back to her seat*

dog: you were great.

himeko: thank you. *opens the box. the dog looks at then longingly* do you want one?

dog: why, yes, please!

*himeko takes a piece and hands it over to the dog, who eats it*

himeko: i thought chocolate is bad for dogs.

dog: maybe where you come from, but here, it's all we eat.

*the watch the boys act out scenes from various plays*

dog: this bit ends soon. after this, they start folk dancing.

himeko: how long does this go on for?

dog: as long as there are dogs, forever and always.

himeko: *hands over the box* you can keep the chocolates.

dog: thank you.

himeko: bye.

*himeko leaves. she sees her Other friends outside smiling and waving while staring at her with their button eyes*

Other luna: so how was your day?

himeko: it was interesting. *the quartet walk back to the starship*

Other yukiko: you know, we would love for you to stay here forever.

Other selene: yes! there's just one tiny thing we need you to do, however...

*the trio lead himeko to a room with a china plate on the table. on the plate is a spool of black cotton, a shiny silver needle, and two large black eyes*

Other luna: black is traditional, after all.

himeko: *looks at them* i don't think so.

Other yukiko: oh, but we want you to. we want you to stay, and it's just a little thing.

Other selene: it won't hurt.

*himeko shakes her head*

Other luna: we only want what's best for you.

himeko: yeah, but i think i should go now.

Other luna: if you say so.

Other selene: we'll see you soon, though, right?

Other yukiko: of course we will. don't be so stupid.

Other luna: then we'll be together as a little quartet, forever and always.

*himeko turns toward the engine room with her Other friends staring back at her with their button eyes. she opens the door to find herself back in the engine room on the real Oberon starship. she looks outside and sees everything is made out of pixels and everyone has their normal eyes and colors back. she is home*