[b]"Not nearly as pretty? Who are you speaking to, young man? You shouldn't say such things among ladies."[/b]

“Oh?” Sho said. “I thought it was pretty clear that I was talking about this guy.” He swung an arm around Toby’s shoulders. The poor kid was almost literally shaking with social-anxiety. He needed to loosen up some. Girls were just people too, after all. He never understood why some guys got so nervous around them.

“I mean, unless you think he’s pretty,” Sho shrugged. He narrowed his eyes at Toby, pretending to look him over. “Well, I suppose if you put a little makeup on him…” He cast the terrified boy a mischievous grin. “All in good time, my friend.” He let go of Toby’s shoulders and dropped his arm back down at his side.

“But I jest,” Sho said, waving a hand casually. “Anywho, I agree that there’s safety in numbers. I also think it’s more fun to share the haunting experience, y’know? Plus, if we meet a bloodthirsty ghoul, I can just trip one of you and make my grand escape. There’s an old saying: ‘I don’t have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you.’ Very wise.” He nodded thoughtfully. “I volunteer Toby as tribute to distract the hungry ghost. All in favor?” Sho raised his hand and looked at the others expectantly.