Transcript of this chapter:

crystal: Where am I going to find six signatures for this form?
crystal: Actually, I find it odd that there's even such a thing as a "demon in residence" form. It asks for the signature of the town's demon-hunter and five others. I'm sure I can force Barlow to sign it, but where will I find another five?
crystal: Rebecca and the Sheriff have already signed it... but all that's left are Turnip and Rebecca's crazy son.
crystal: Maybe Alex has come to his senses.
crystal: Say... Alex...
crystal: I was wondering... I need to get some signatures together on this form... you know, so I can stay in town...
crystal: I don't suppose you'd like to sign it, would you?
crystal: I'm probably catching you at a bad time...
crystal: ... pretty please?...
alex: Demon! I can't believe the nerve you have to ask that!
alex: You obviously have the others under some sort of spell... but be warned, I WILL stop your plans.
crystal: My plan is to get this form signed.
alex: Then that's the plan I'll stop!
crystal: I'll ask nicely because I'm trying to be good...
alex: Is it even possible for an evil being to be good?
crystal: Demons are just like humans... we have to make decisions and to make decisions we have to have choice.
crystal: So you can sign my form, or you can refuse.
alex: That's easy. I refuse.
crystal: But I'm being good! Hey, come back here! I'm not done making you decide!
crystal: Crud.
crystal: Sign this form or face the consequences!
alex: I knew it! Open threats!
alex: I won't rest until you've been dealt with. Barlow is going to kill you!
crystal: That's right, go run to Barlow.
crystal: Why did I even bother?
crystal: I'll get Turnip out of the way. I did save his life after all, so I don't see why he'd refuse.
crystal: If I understand correctly, Turnip and the other paper mammals live in the marsh.
crystal: I don't believe it! They said there wasn't anyone else living in Spider Cliff. Maybe getting all six signatures will be possible after all.
crystal: Excuse me... hello.
eliza: And just WHAT are you supposed to be with those silly things on your head?
crystal: I'm Crystal. I work in the diner.
eliza: Fascinating. Now I'm REALLY glad that I never go into that town. It was only a matter of time before it was invaded by your type.
crystal: My type?
eliza: Drama students... renaissance festival fanatics... self-centered insecure kids dressed like comic book characters.
crystal: If you're referring to my antennae and fangs, I assure you they're real.
eliza: Sure, whatever... just get out of here, willya? I'm doing important research and you're intruding on an endangered habitat.
crystal: Haven't you ever seen a demon?
eliza: No, and I never will. I am a scientist, not an idiot like you find in that town. There are no monsters, demons, gods, or anything supernatural outside the quaint beliefs of simple fools.
eliza: You're... nothing but some drama student so wrapped up in being different that she's lost touch with the real world.
crystal: Forget about me... who are you?!
eliza: I will forget about you, just as soon as you leave this endangered habitat. I'm conducting important research.
crystal: You're a scientist?
eliza: That would be a fair assessment.
crystal: I'm a demon.
eliza: Oh, whatever. Why don't you take your little act somewhere else? Go back to that ridiculous town.
crystal: No, I really AM a demon!
eliza: Yeah, and next week you're going to be a cat-girl. I know your type... absolutely useless.
crystal: I've killed people for saying less! You should be scared of me and what I can do!
eliza: What? Because you can stay in character? Scary.
crystal: What are you researching?
eliza: Not that you would care, but I'm studying a type of plant that's found only in this area. I'm a botanist.
crystal: What do you have against Spider Cliff?
eliza: Oh, what DON'T I have against it? They're all complete fools... always worried about demon invasion. And all the while they tr5ap those defenseless paper mammals to the point of extinction!
crystal: I know a certain paper mammal who would agree with you.
eliza: I understand you're meaning, but of course they can't really speak. That would be against the laws of nature.
crystal: Heh... you're a rather rational-minded person.
eliza: That's right. I'm a botanist. I study a particular plant found in this area.
crystal: I would guess that you feel for comfortable around plants than people.
eliza: Oh, I enjoy the company of people with intelligent things to say. Not much of that around here, so I guess it's plants.
crystal: I'm intelligent.
eliza: Oh, really? Anyone who wears things like that on her head is just looking for attention.
crystal: Tell me about this plant.
eliza: They're called Matrimonials. They're one of the few plant species to have distinct masculine and feminine genders. They get their name because they tend to grow in pairs, one of each gender.
crystal: Aw, it's a cute married plant couple.
eliza: It appears quite charming, but of course they aren't capable of romantic thought or any choice at all. They are plants.
crystal: Botany sounds like a fascinating subject.
eliza: Oh, it is, and very rewarding too. This work that I'm doing here is for my doctoral thesis.
crystal: Impressive. How long before you're finished?
eliza: I've only just started. I'm in no hurry, though... the bridge appears to be out so I can take my time. I've got a little camp out here in the marsh. My name is Eliza, by the way.
crystal: It's nice to meet you, Eliza.
crystal: What if you run out of supplies?
eliza: Not a problem. I can make anything I need, and I gather all of my own food.
crystal: Oh... so are these plants edible?
eliza: Oh, no. And I wouldn't eat them even if they were. I don't eat plants or animals. It's cruel.
crystal: Then what DO you eat?
eliza: Fungus and lichen.
crystal: So did you arrive here recently?
eliza: I got here about six months ago. Prior to that, I was at the University of Sprawling-Mossville.
crystal: Of course. So you're originally from the big city?
eliza: Er... well... I hat admitting it, but I was born and raised in Spider Cliff.
eliza: But I want to make it clear that I don't believe in any of that silly folklore.
crystal: Could I get you to sign this form?
eliza: What is it? A petition?
crystal: Uh... yeah...
eliza: What's it for?
crystal: It's a petition to stop mammal trapping.
eliza: Hey, that's something I'll definitely sign. I've tried to get petitions going on just such topic.
eliza: Let me know if you're planning any civil disobedience.
crystal: Uh... sure.
crystal: It.. uh... allows a demon to stay in Spider Cliff.
eliza: And just when I thought you might be alright...
crystal: Aw... come on...
eliza: I will not waste my signature on stupid stuff like that!
crystal: You don't believe in it anyway. So what's the big deal?
eliza: Oh... if it means you'll leave me in peace, I'll sign it.
crystal: I'm gone.