samiardens

2023-08-05 01:24:02 -

“It’s not every day that a new group of people just falls out of the sky,” Watenou mumbled, touching a paw to his fuzzy red chin.

The stubby-limbed puffski to his left shook his head. “Nah, actually, on Medleya, it can be kinda like that.” The duo of creatures plus one other had gathered on a pier to discuss the people who fell from the sky.

The Gremelon sighed and shook his head as well. “This place is ever a magnet for adventure.” Adjusting his stance in a way that made the green section of his body fur shimmy, he addressed the newcomer in front of him: some sort of gilled otter in a diving suit. “I understand that your world was undergoing great ecological disturbance when Dave decided to transport your tribe to this one. Is that correct?”

The otter person blinked beady eyes. “His name is Dave?” After squinting at the puffy round puffski, it was his turn to shake his head. “He really doesn’t look like a Dave.”

“Yeah, well, I picked the name Dave because it’s short and simple and people like it,” Dave the puffski said with a huff.

“Anyway, yes, you’re right, Mr. Watermelon Guy,” said the otter fellow. “The humans of our world started a war of some sort, and they’re gobbling up every resource they can to finish it. That includes the oceans we live in.”

“Did I not introduce myself? My name is Watenou, and I lead the clan of Gremelons living in Medleya.” A beat passed before he continued. “I don’t believe I’ve had a chance to get your name.”

“Snoupy. Our people are called Shellans.” Snoupy gave a polite bow of his head. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you and all, but you’ve got to understand, this is all really weird and all Dave’s fault.”

“It might be my fault, but if I didn’t pull you out of there, you’d all be blown to smithereens!” Indignant, Dave folded his arms and harrumphed.

“Great, thanks for saving us, but what of our houses, and the other tribes, and our food, and anything vaguely resembling home?!” Snoupy began to flap his arms in an anxious frenzy. “We have nothing here! What are we supposed to do? Even if we supposedly can rebuild our village from scratch here, why should we? We could have just moved in with another tribe!”

Watenou pursed his lips, scratching his head in thought. “Dave, while you did in fact save the lives of these Shellans, it may be advisable to return them to their home worlds once the threat has passed.”

Dave swallowed nervously. “Um, so, about that…”

“Yes?” Snoupy and Watenou questioned him in unison.

“The threat isn’t going to pass.” Getting on his knees and assuming a pleading position, Dave launched into a frantic explanation. “Your humans are gonna start harvesting your coral for their fuel, and they’re thinking of forcefully drafting the Shellans into some kind of underwater army, and they have got to be the worst humans I’ve ever met!”

“I’m sorry, what?!” Snoupy lunged forward and began to shake Dave by the shoulders with a worrying speed. “The humans have gone that far, and you didn’t think to tell any of us till now even though you’ve been loitering around for weeks? What is wrong with you?!”

“I-I just found out!” Dave struggled to stay stable through the shaking but didn’t push the enraged Shellan away.

“Both of you, stop this at once!” Watenou’s voice reached an octave so deep and sonorous that no one would have expected it to come out of a fuzzy being the size of a basketball, and Snoupy jumped, finally releasing Dave. “Let us examine the facts. Dave reports that the Shellan world and way of life is in crisis. I take it the war is not a recent development, but the decision to involve the Shellans is.” When Dave nodded, Watenou folded his arms. “When the other tribes see the destruction of Snoupy’s village, they will understand the threat they are facing, and we can present them with some courses of action.”

“And those will be?” Snoupy tilted his head.

“Neither the Gremelons nor the puffskis are particularly well-versed in the art of war, and even if we were, I suspect that we would not be a match for your world’s human armies. Retaliation and reclamation are not options in this case.” A beat passed before he elaborated. “Retreat and rebuilding, however, are, and retreat need not be permanent. The puffskis are excellent scouts and couriers, so they can be the ones to inform your people and aid in gathering essentials and sentimentals, so to speak.”

“Sure hope they’re good at carrying giant shells,” Snoupy muttered, huffing and looking away. Dave opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it.

“Meanwhile, my people are proven suppliers. Anything we cannot harvest for you we often have other means of procuring. You have my word that we will strive to make your stay in Medleya a comfortable one, and we will do our best to aid you in bringing as much over as possible.” Watenou kept his gaze on Snoupy even, scrutinizing him for a reaction.

The Shellan’s nose twitched as he considered the proposal. “You’re really pushing the ‘leave our world’ thing,” he grumbled before perking up. “All things considered, I suppose I’m not really in a position to refuse. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the offer of shelter and supplies. It’s just a lot to take in.”

“Understandable. I’m sure Dave can monitor the situation to gauge how long you have to get yourself together.” Shooting a pointed look at the puffski, Watenou added, “Right, Dave?”

With a jolt and a salute, Dave gave his startled agreement. “Yes sir! I guess it’s only fair, since a big part of this situation is my fault.”

Watenou flashed him a grin that revealed a snaggletooth. “Good to hear,” he said, deliberately obscuring whether he was referring to Dave’s acceptance of orders or his admission of guilt. “Why don’t you show Snoupy around a bit and give him some time to learn about his new home?”

“Yup, sure, no problem,” Dave muttered, scuttling towards the other end of the pier and gesturing for Snoupy to come along.

“You’re really something, you know that?” Snoupy said with an amused huff. “Hope you’re prepared for what comes next.”

Once again came a snaggletoothed smile. “Everything will be ready when the time comes.”

As the Shellan left to follow the retreating puffski, another Gremelon scampered down the pier towards Watenou, one with floppy dog-like ears instead of horns like his. “Watenou, dear, is everything alright?”

“Mella? What brings you here?” Watenou’s eyes went wide at the sight of his wife.

“Oh, I was in the area for errands, and I heard your ‘Big Voice’ from all the way over there!” Mella gestured to somewhere in the distance. “I was quite concerned, but I saw you were in a meeting, so I waited till you finished.”

“My ‘Big Voice?’ Ah.” Scrunching down in sheepishness, Watenou waved Mella off. “I needed to dispel a disagreement. That was all.”

Giggling, Mella snuggled up next to her beloved to fluster him further. “I don’t wish to think of dark days, but that was the voice you used when guiding people during the exodus.” She gave a dreamy sigh and added, “Your voice carries even further without the din of chaos.”

“Yes, yes, well-” Squirming only once before he gave up, Watenou mirrored Mella’s sigh. “We survived. It’s the least we can do to help others do the same.”

On the other end of the pier, Dave and Snoupy peered at the Gremelons from a set of bushes. “Look at ‘em! Aren’t they so cute together?” Dave chuckled as he observed the couple.

“Gosh, yeah,” Snoupy said. “I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Say, when we first got here, you said something about a seafood place… care to share?”

“You’ve got excellent and probably expensive taste. Right this way!” With that, Dave sprung up and scurried off, and Snoupy followed.

“It’s not every day that a new group of people just falls out of the sky,” Watenou mumbled, touching a paw to his fuzzy red chin. The stubby-limbed puffski to his left shook his head. “Nah, actually, on Medleya, it can be kinda like that.” The duo of creatures plus one other had gathered on a pier to discuss the people who fell from the sky. The Gremelon sighed and shook his head as well. “This place is ever a magnet for adventure.” Adjusting his stance in a way that made the green section of his body fur shimmy, he addressed the newcomer in front of him: some sort of gilled otter in a diving suit. “I understand that your world was undergoing great ecological disturbance when Dave decided to transport your tribe to this one. Is that correct?” The otter person blinked beady eyes. “His name is Dave?” After squinting at the puffy round puffski, it was his turn to shake his head. “He really doesn’t look like a Dave.” “Yeah, well, I picked the name Dave because it’s short and simple and people like it,” Dave the puffski said with a huff. “Anyway, yes, you’re right, Mr. Watermelon Guy,” said the otter fellow. “The humans of our world started a war of some sort, and they’re gobbling up every resource they can to finish it. That includes the oceans we live in.” “Did I not introduce myself? My name is Watenou, and I lead the clan of Gremelons living in Medleya.” A beat passed before he continued. “I don’t believe I’ve had a chance to get your name.” “Snoupy. Our people are called Shellans.” Snoupy gave a polite bow of his head. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you and all, but you’ve got to understand, this is all really weird and all Dave’s fault.” “It might be my fault, but if I didn’t pull you out of there, you’d all be blown to smithereens!” Indignant, Dave folded his arms and harrumphed. “Great, thanks for saving us, but what of our houses, and the other tribes, and our food, and anything vaguely resembling home?!” Snoupy began to flap his arms in an anxious frenzy. “We have nothing here! What are we supposed to do? Even if we supposedly can rebuild our village from scratch here, why should we? We could have just moved in with another tribe!” Watenou pursed his lips, scratching his head in thought. “Dave, while you did in fact save the lives of these Shellans, it may be advisable to return them to their home worlds once the threat has passed.” Dave swallowed nervously. “Um, so, about that…” “Yes?” Snoupy and Watenou questioned him in unison. “The threat isn’t going to pass.” Getting on his knees and assuming a pleading position, Dave launched into a frantic explanation. “Your humans are gonna start harvesting your coral for their fuel, and they’re thinking of forcefully drafting the Shellans into some kind of underwater army, and they have got to be the worst humans I’ve ever met!” “I’m sorry, what?!” Snoupy lunged forward and began to shake Dave by the shoulders with a worrying speed. “The humans have gone that far, and you didn’t think to tell any of us till now even though you’ve been loitering around for weeks? What is wrong with you?!” “I-I just found out!” Dave struggled to stay stable through the shaking but didn’t push the enraged Shellan away. “Both of you, stop this at once!” Watenou’s voice reached an octave so deep and sonorous that no one would have expected it to come out of a fuzzy being the size of a basketball, and Snoupy jumped, finally releasing Dave. “Let us examine the facts. Dave reports that the Shellan world and way of life is in crisis. I take it the war is not a recent development, but the decision to involve the Shellans is.” When Dave nodded, Watenou folded his arms. “When the other tribes see the destruction of Snoupy’s village, they will understand the threat they are facing, and we can present them with some courses of action.” “And those will be?” Snoupy tilted his head. “Neither the Gremelons nor the puffskis are particularly well-versed in the art of war, and even if we were, I suspect that we would not be a match for your world’s human armies. Retaliation and reclamation are not options in this case.” A beat passed before he elaborated. “Retreat and rebuilding, however, are, and retreat need not be permanent. The puffskis are excellent scouts and couriers, so they can be the ones to inform your people and aid in gathering essentials and sentimentals, so to speak.” “Sure hope they’re good at carrying giant shells,” Snoupy muttered, huffing and looking away. Dave opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. “Meanwhile, my people are proven suppliers. Anything we cannot harvest for you we often have other means of procuring. You have my word that we will strive to make your stay in Medleya a comfortable one, and we will do our best to aid you in bringing as much over as possible.” Watenou kept his gaze on Snoupy even, scrutinizing him for a reaction. The Shellan’s nose twitched as he considered the proposal. “You’re really pushing the ‘leave our world’ thing,” he grumbled before perking up. “All things considered, I suppose I’m not really in a position to refuse. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for the offer of shelter and supplies. It’s just a lot to take in.” “Understandable. I’m sure Dave can monitor the situation to gauge how long you have to get yourself together.” Shooting a pointed look at the puffski, Watenou added, “Right, Dave?” With a jolt and a salute, Dave gave his startled agreement. “Yes sir! I guess it’s only fair, since a big part of this situation is my fault.” Watenou flashed him a grin that revealed a snaggletooth. “Good to hear,” he said, deliberately obscuring whether he was referring to Dave’s acceptance of orders or his admission of guilt. “Why don’t you show Snoupy around a bit and give him some time to learn about his new home?” “Yup, sure, no problem,” Dave muttered, scuttling towards the other end of the pier and gesturing for Snoupy to come along. “You’re really something, you know that?” Snoupy said with an amused huff. “Hope you’re prepared for what comes next.” Once again came a snaggletoothed smile. “Everything will be ready when the time comes.” As the Shellan left to follow the retreating puffski, another Gremelon scampered down the pier towards Watenou, one with floppy dog-like ears instead of horns like his. “Watenou, dear, is everything alright?” “Mella? What brings you here?” Watenou’s eyes went wide at the sight of his wife. “Oh, I was in the area for errands, and I heard your ‘Big Voice’ from all the way over there!” Mella gestured to somewhere in the distance. “I was quite concerned, but I saw you were in a meeting, so I waited till you finished.” “My ‘Big Voice?’ Ah.” Scrunching down in sheepishness, Watenou waved Mella off. “I needed to dispel a disagreement. That was all.” Giggling, Mella snuggled up next to her beloved to fluster him further. “I don’t wish to think of dark days, but that was the voice you used when guiding people during the exodus.” She gave a dreamy sigh and added, “Your voice carries even further without the din of chaos.” “Yes, yes, well-” Squirming only once before he gave up, Watenou mirrored Mella’s sigh. “We survived. It’s the least we can do to help others do the same.” On the other end of the pier, Dave and Snoupy peered at the Gremelons from a set of bushes. “Look at ‘em! Aren’t they so cute together?” Dave chuckled as he observed the couple. “Gosh, yeah,” Snoupy said. “I probably shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. Say, when we first got here, you said something about a seafood place… care to share?” “You’ve got excellent and probably expensive taste. Right this way!” With that, Dave sprung up and scurried off, and Snoupy followed.

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