Published: May 20th 2023, 10:34:37 pm
Author's Note: Based on feedback, I'm going to introduce the other characters in this story one by one, so now Ojo is being introduced in this part instead of in the last part.
"There. Now that you're all comfy, why don't we go downstairs and see what Ojo is up to?"
"Alright... I guess." I jumped down off the table.
"Careful, there, kiddo. That's a big jump for a little guy like you!"
"I'm not that little," I said, completely confident in my jumping down ability. I began to waddle toward the door, but I cringed as I heard the crinkle. "Aww, geez. These are... really loud."
"That's okay," said Bear. "I don't mind."
"That's not the problem," I said, blushing.
"What's the problem then?" asked Bear, tilting his head.
"The problem is... the problem is... um... it's embarrassing."
"No, no no, it's not embarrassing. I think you mean it's cute. Yes. Very, very cute."
"Is it?" I asked, skeptical of the big bear's perspective on things. He nodded with complete certainty.
"Yes, now let's go on downstairs before it gets too late. Come along now."
Bear's big fluffy paws gently pressed my tushie forward, and I found myself waddling down the hall, but when we got to the stairs, he stopped me.
"Hold my hand, now, little one. These stairs are dangerous for babies like you."
I rolled my eyes, but my mom had always taught me to respect peoples' house rules, so I did as he said. Something about holding his hand as I went down did make me feel very little, though, and I found myself feeling a little differently by the time I go to the bottom of the stairs. Like it had somehow affected my mindset.
"Come along. Let's see what Ojo is up to."
Although we were at the bottom of the stairs, the gentle giant continued to hold my hand as he led me into the living room where we found Ojo lining up a bunch of chairs.
"What are you doing with all those chairs, Ojo?" asked Bear, releasing my hand and getting a closer look.
"Oh, these aren't chairs. No, no, they're airplane seats."
"Airplane seats? I see!" Bear turned to me and said, "Ojo is playing pretend that these are airplane seats."
"I got that. But I'm not good at imagining and playing make believe," I said to bear. "I'm too old for that sort of thing."
"Nonsense," said Bear. "You just have to try. It's easy. You'll see!"
"Please take your seats! The plane is about to take off!" said Ojo.
"This is silly," I said, but Bear hurried me over to a seat and I obliged, by sitting down with a loud crinkle.
"Very good! And now please check your seatbelts."
I looked down and to my surprise, I cold see a seatbelt there. I clicked the buckles together, but they wouldn't click. After a few tries I looked over to bear in confusion.
"Oh, here, let me help you. It looks like you were using two buckles, when you should be using a buckle and a latch."
I instantly felt dumb for making such a mistake when it should have been obvious.
"It's okay, kiddo. Lots of little ones need help with their safety belts! That's what grownups are for!" I blushed and thanked bear, and then as I looked around I saw that we were actually in a plane, and Ojo was wearing a flight attendant outfit. "
"Okay! It's time to go through the safety checklist. Are you all ready? Good!"
We spent the next several minutes listening to Ojo explain the safety procedures of the plane. And then, it was time for takeoff and the plaine rumbled and tilted as it flew up up up into the sky. But then, a clock rang out, and the illusion of the plane dropped away. I looked around confused, only to realize that we had been playing pretend after all.
"Wait, were we playing pretend all along?"
"We sure were," said Bear, "But now it's time to eat. Aren't you hungry for a nice snack?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Well, if you're going to leave, take these parachutes," said Ojo, handing us two napkins. I smirked a bit as they were handed to me and pretended to jump off the plane and float off as we left the living room.
"That was kind of fun, huh?" asked Bear.
"Yeah, I guess so," I said. "I'm just surprised I was able to play make believe like that."
"I told you it was easy. Don't worry, you'll get plenty more practice after snack time. Now let's see what we have in the kitchen, shall we?"
Once again I was led by the hand to the kitchen. I felt small, but it wasn't a bad feeling. It was just unfamiliar. And I would still have to get used to all that crinkling.