If Suzume was trying to get him to relax, it worked. Sho felt reenergized at her touch, like he could take down any freaky graphite monster that tried to jump out at them in this odd sketchbook world. Somehow, even the pencil-girl’s misshapen face didn’t startle him as much as it probably should have –although that might be because the last place he visited was a giant stomach. Doodles weren’t quite as terrifying as being eaten alive. Shocking, right?

Sho approached the pencil-girl with Suzume. The rational part of him was still wary despite its seemingly harmless demeanor. He put an arm defensively around Suzume’s waist and drew her to his side. Upon closer examination, the doodle appeared to be reflecting his own caution –well, as much as a stick-figure-faced person could, anyway. It assumed an edgy stance as though prepared to flee… or perhaps fight? Probably not.

“We’re not gonna hurt you,” Sho said in a meager attempt to calm the pencil-girl down. “We’re just a couple of travelers looking for the best tourist hot-spots around here. Do you happen to know any?” Humor would most likely just go right over the girl’s head, but it was worth a shot.