Chapter Two

We're going to Mars

They're going to Mars

We're going to Mars

We don't konw what lies ahead

But we do know the planet's red

                                      -The Backyardians

The princess awoke to a vanishing sun.  She jumped up to look around, touching her dress, then the bear, hoping it was all a dream.  The unfortunate news dawned on her as she saw the cat, curled upon itself, sleeping in the same spot on the bears neck where hours before he was calmly licking his paws.  She was wet and cold and knew the night would get colder and feared what lay ahead.  She could see no land, no debris in the water, just the bear, steadily swimming along, one paw after another echoed in the waves, and hear his slow breath.  She knew Polar bears could swim for days but wasn't sure about black bears.  She hoped she wouldn't find out.  

She looked at the cat.  He was dry now and looked much healthier.  "mnnmemn mnmn mnnnnnmnn", she said to the cat in her high pitched mumble.  The cat looked up.  She moved closer to touch him and petted his head.  "mnnmemn mnmn mnnnnnmnn", she said again.  

The cat wasn't quite sure what to make of this.  The petting was fine but the mumbling was beyond the pale.  Was it some kind of baby talk, he thought.  Maybe this is some royalty thing.  

"mnnmnmnnm mnmnnmnmm mnmnmnnmn mnmn mnmnnmn", she said and arched down towards him, moving her face close to his.

Alright thought the cat, this is getting freaky.  He instinctively looked around for something to write with, cat vocal cords not being designed for speech and all.  Damn he thought, I'm stuck on a bear in the ocean, no writing here.  

"mnmnmmnmnm mnmnnmn mnnmmnn mnnmmn mnmm nmnnnnn mnnnn", she said.  

The cat stared in bewilderment.  OK, this is how she actually talks, maybe, kinda, oh please let this not be the way she talks.    "Meeeeeeeeeeooooow", said the cat.  

The bear paused his stride for a split second