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You're not quite prepared for the sound you make as you almost run straight into another person, who jumps a foot backwards, clutching a long box to their chest. Reacting immediately, you:

You barely get the chance to do anything, however, before the other person starts to laugh in relief.

"Sorry! Didn't mean to sneak up on you," they gasp, pushing back their hair—which, as you're catching your breath, you notice is colored a pale shade of pink. You're pretty relieved yourself that you didn't do anything too drastic, and for a moment, you and the stranger share an embarrassed sort of smile.

"Oh, gosh, my donuts!"

Suddenly terrified, they rush to open the lid of the box.

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"Oh, thank f—goodness."

The pink-haired stranger closes the lid, satisfied, and your insides finally untwist enough to get a proper look at them. Underneath their short hair their face is flushed a similar shade of pink—quite a contrast from their all-black outfit, complete with vest and even a bow tie (which does at least have pink polka dots). Looking back at their face, you see their eyes have a friendly look about them. If anything, though, it only makes you feel more guilty for being so scared of them for a second.

"I'm sorry—I should've been looking where I was going," you say at last, lowering your eyes towards the box—so nearly your unlucky victim. "I almost ruined your donuts."

"Oh, don't be silly!" the stranger laughs. "My wife says I should wear a bell around my neck, I'm always scaring her. That's what I get from working with animals; you learn to sneak up on them. I just didn't expect to see anyone else—I thought everyone'd be at the meeting already."

"The—the Town Meeting?"

"Well, yeah! It's a big one—normally I only get half a dozen donuts. But I didn't think I recognized your face, so I guess you're not local, right?"

"Um…not until today."

"Is that right? Well, I'm sorry we had to be introduced like this! Speaking of which, you can call me Maxie."

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