[ maya knows better to take these kind of comments at face value. it's a monster formed on their worst fears, regrets, and memories -- she's not the type of person to just believe someone badmouthing her friends in the first place. ]

[ so she does what she does best: continues to mouth off. ]

From where I'm standing, weird monster lady blob, you're waaaaay weirder. And not in the endearing way!

[ not that this does much. the monster just goes off on its little script -- then, melts into nothing. she lets out a little chuff of a laugh at erika's response. ]

That's what they all say, isn't it? It's so cliche. Like just being menacing and negative and making twisted references to something that happened in your past is just gonna make me run away right here and now.

[ she sees it, though --- she doesn't recognize the boy, but it's obviously someone close to erika. her brother? she did hear the creepy ladymonsterthing talking about him. ]

[ she puts her hand on erika's shoulder, bracing. ]

You got this.