ᵗʰᵃˡᵃˢˢᵒᵖʰⁱˡᵉ

🪼⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[ new friends ]

ೃ⁀➷
         little note; quick reminder of the fit :)

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠.

She smiled, feeling your arms around her, enjoying the safety you provided. Her eyes snapped down to Jacob, who was resting slumped forward, his hand, even in sleep, tightly gripping the long spear. She jumped when she saw the sack beside him move, which was emitting a blue light.

Suddenly, a creature rolled out, with an adorable squeak. The creature was incredibly cute, with yellow doe-like eyes, and a little light hanging off of its head. The creature wrestled with one of the fruits Jacob had found last night, before its eyes landed on Maisie. It squeaked, terrified, before flapping away with its two front legs and tail. It scrambled about, making a small ruckus, finding its way outside. 

Maisie followed it out, looking around the bright, illuminated forest. It was quite beautiful, now that she could see it in broad daylight. As she walked, she glanced to the side, where a thin-stumped tree was growing. She pursed her lips when she saw the animal there, the slender tree doing nothing to hide its chubby body. 

She outstretched her hand, where a piece of orange fruit was, and the creature squealed again, running off. Maisie had a curious smile on her face. "Hey, little guy," she greeted softly, but it cried and ran off, leaping over a bundle of leaves into a small field.

She eagerly followed it, watching as it croaked, rolling around on the grass. It licked its face, suddenly not scared of the girl, as she stepped towards it. Slowly, she leaned down, the fruit out for the taking, and the creature panted as it came closer. The girl giggled as she went down to her knees. 

It croaked as it ate the fruit, and Maisie let out a breath as her whole hand was in the animal's mouth. But she smiled again when it let go, chomping at the sweet food. She picked it up with a chuckle, "These things ain't so bad." Maisie held it, close to her chest and as she took a step, a crack caused her to look down. "Uh..."

As she looked around, she realized that she was in a grove of eggs and was surrounded by them.

"What are you doing?"

She spun around, finding you and Jacob with tired looks on our faces, although his was much angrier than your own. "I, uh..." she trailed off. "I'm afraid anything I say will upset you."

"You're probably right," he grumbled. 

"Just don't move," you told her, and Jacob started cautiously traipsing through the eggs, not wanting to stand on any. 

"I'm sorry, but I've always wanted a pet."

"That's not a pet," Jacob countered. "It's a monster, and we're not keeping it."

"But I already named it."

"Let me guess. Blue." He gestured his hands for the emphasize of his annoyance. Maisie groaned.
"You named that one Red. You named this one Blue. We stay here much longer, and we'll have a rainbow of critters that wanna eat us!"

"But he's so cute!" she reasoned, holding him up higher. "Look at this face." Your jaw dropped in adoration as Blue yawned, stretching his little arms out.

"You and I have a different idea of cute," Jacob deadpanned. 

"I don't. Hello," you cooed softly, and Blue chittered at you. But you stopped when Jacob grabbed Blue by the head and tossed him far into the forest. You and Maisie gasped in horror, as you both exclaimed, "NO!" you heard branches creaking, signifying the end of his fall, and you huffed, crossing your arms. 

Jacob then lifted Maisie up with his hand, heaving her over his shoulder. "And when we get to Guelston, I'll get you a cat, and you can name it Grey or White. Ginger, if you like."

As he stepped back through the field, Maisie argued, "You're too young to be this mean."

"And you're too old to be giving in to childish temptations."

"Hey, I gave in too!" you grumbled, and he glared at you. "It ain't childish to want a pet."

"Exactly!" Maisie agreed with you. "Lots of people have pets."

"Not pets that will lay eggs in your mouth that hatch and burst out through your chest cavity!"

Your eyes widened and Maisie gawked, "That is so...specific."

"And distinct," you gagged.

"Well, I seen some things, alright?" he said, glancing back at her. "Point is, we don't know what he'd do. We don't know anything about this island-."

"Jacob, watch your footing," you warned, but he continued his rant. 

"-Except we've got to get off it, by thunder!"

As he stomped, his foot cracked into another of the eggs. You all groaned as you stumbled back, but the sound of the shells breaking caused you to sweat. There was sudden chirping, and you saw a flash of yellow beneath the eggshell.

I gasped as the one right in front of us appeared. It had a long squiggly lined mouth, with eyes on either side of its head. "Uh..."

Immediately, all of the other yellow creatures followed the roar as the first one screamed. Jacob then simply stated, "Best be going."

"Nice idea!" you snapped, rolling your eyes as you dashed off, Maisie holding onto Jacob's shoulders from her spot atop them.

As you ran, you saw the familiar pink sand, and Maisie hopped off Jacob, running alongside you as you panted, working your legs fast across the uneven ground. Suddenly, the animal's piled onto you.

"Maybe they're bonded to us, like geese!" Maisie offered.

"It's the mother goose I'm worried about!" Jacob groaned.

He punched one of them out of the way, and since you were closest, he gripped your arm, pulling you up beside him. Your hands landed on his chest as the three of you looked to the forest, where trees creaked from an unknown impact. By the sound of the roaring, you griped, "Oh, how lovely."

The second after, a large, yellow beast roared, showcasing her massive two front teeth. "There she is. Come on, lassies!" Jacob held your hand as you ran to the boat, all the babies smiling and going to their mother.

Jacob tossed the long spear and the supplies into the boat before you all pushed the boat into the sea. Finally, with strain, it was in the water, and you hopped on, taking Maisie with you. Jacob set up the sail, and the boat immediately took speed. 

But the creature continued to follow you. You spun around, finding one of the creatures on Jacob's lower back, and you ran forward, ripping it off and tossing it. It landed with a splash, and the mother stopped her course, staring down at her baby.

Jacob stepped forward with an aghast face, before squinting his eyes in annoyance, placing his hands on his hips and looking down at Maisie, "Hmm." She chuckled nervously in response, holding her hands in front of her. "Hold the rutter." She did so, taking a seat on the other side of you, the rutter in between you as Jacob sat opposite. "If we can make it to Rum Pepper Island, we'll be able to flag a ship." He lowered the map, barely noticing your gazes weren't trained on him, but on the looming, purple horn coming from the ocean. "The Dregmorr is thick with monsters, but don't worry. If there's one of them things within a mile of us, I'll sense it."

"I think your senses are a bit off," you said. 

He turned his head and nodded in understanding. "May be a little off my game here."

The beast's claw, which resembled one of a crab, plucked the boat from the ocean. It hung it in its hand, and as Maisie clung to your leg, Jacob tried to keep his hold on your hand, but it wasn't enough.

"Jacob!" you yelled, crashing into the ocean. You gasped as you began to rise, and you looked down, finding yourself on the sea beast's back. 

"Y/N!" he shouted. "Maisie!"

He tried to reach for the long spear in the boat, but it fell just as his fingers brushed it. Jacob grunted as he climbed back into the boat, whilst you heaved Maisie up, finding your footing on the purple back.

The creature's mouth opened, revealing a deep hole, and long spikes surrounding it. Jacob took the ore, using it to fight off the moving spikes, which were grappling to eat him. The sharp points attacked him, pushing him into the boat. Jacob grunted as he used the spear to stop them from impaling him and pulling him into the mouth.

Suddenly, waves crashed loudly, and the purple crab's small red eyes widened as a larger creature rose from the waters. "The Red Bluster," you mumbled, pulling Maisie closer to you.

Jacob screamed the crab dropped the boat and himself, falling into the ocean. The Bluster cried loudly as she banged her head into the crab's, knocking it back. "Hold on, girls!" you heard Jacob yell.

You and Maisie shrieked as you slipped about, holding onto the points in the crab's back to keep yourselves from falling. "Maisie!" you shouted, finding the girl descending down the back. She latched onto one of the last spikes, glancing down and finding Jacob, who was rowing towards the long spear. Just as he reached it, the crab's leg flew forward, causing the boat to ride one of the involuntary waves, away from you both.

You watched with heavy breaths as you secured yourself to a ridge, as the crab monster climbed up one of the rock mountains that dug out from the water. The Red Bluster followed, her horn digging a trail through the stone as she chased the crab.

As she passed, the beast took hold of her horn, pulling her head back as the Bluster roared in retaliation. Suddenly, Maisie sprung up, over to you. "Maisie, what in God's name are you doing?" you questioned loudly.

"HELP ME!"

"FINE!"

You followed after her, as you both ran to the crab's head. Maisie dashed to the eye, and you went to the other one. You watched as she pulled the eyelid back, which caused the monster to rear backwards. You did the same action, and the crab shrieked in pain, the creature letting go of the Bluster as you felt your feet leave the monster's back. 

"Y/N!" Maisie screamed for you, and you tried to respond, but you were already underwater. 

For Jacob, he couldn't see either of you, which made him worry. But he saw an opening in the crab's underarm, so he reared his arm back, and threw the spear. It sailed through the air, glinting in the sunlight, before hitting the target. 

The monster squeaked in pain, lurching to the side. It desperately tried to reach the spear, oblivious to the now snarling Bluster, her glare trained on him. The crab then looked up, finding her looming over him with a snarl. She jerked forward, clamping her teeth around its arm, and flinging him out into the deep ocean. The monster squealed as it flew through the air, before crashing into the water. She growled, the sound echoing, and the crab took it as a sign to leave.

Jacob, with a worried look on his face, rowed the boat over to Maisie, who had a scared and frantic trembling lip. He furrowed his brows when he saw Blue holding her up. "Maisie."

She spun around and gasped in relief. "She's underwater! But I can't find her!" she cried. 

Jacob's eyes widened as he sprung to his feet. He quickly heaved the girl and Blue onto the boat. "Y/N!" he called, hands going to his hair. 

"There!" Maisie yelled, and he turned, looking to where she was pointing. He saw the faint fabric of your black skirt in the water, and without another thought, dove down. 

He held his breath as he swam closer. Within arm's reach, he pulled your still body to him, hand caressing your cold cheek. Your eyes were closed, and he missed the vibrant E/C of them.  Swimming upwards, he breathed in before pulling you to the boat. Maisie helped haul your unconscious body up, beginning to tear up.

"Come back to us, lass," Jacob panted, pressing his hands to your chest as he pumped them. 

You made no movement of waking up, and Maisie's tears fell. "It's- It's all my fault. She was h-helping me..."

Jacob closed his eyes for a moment, willing the tears not to fall. But how could he? Not when you could be dead. "Please...Please..." he begged softly to himself. Jacob then placed his lips against yours, transferring air to your lungs. 

Suddenly, you gasped, and sprung up, clutching your chest. You coughed up a slew of water, then heaved a much-needed breath. "Y/N!" Maisie exclaimed, lunging towards you, wrapping her arms around your neck and squeezing you tight.

You chuckled breathily, readily returning the hug, kissing her temple. "You're so smart, Maisie." She leaned back with a teary smile. You tilted your head, finding Jacob, with wide eyes. You softly let go of Maisie, and you inched towards him. When you were close enough, you yelped in surprise as he surged forward, holding you impossibly close. His hand went to your hair, as his other clutched your back to his stomach. He breathed you in, still not believing you were safe. You tilted my head back, "Thank you. For saving my life."

He smiled, softly stroking your cheek with his thumb. Maisie watched the exchange with a knowing grin, eyes darting from your rosy, blushing cheeks to Jacob's relieved smile. 

The sweet moment was cut when he glanced to the side. He gently let you go, looking at the bubbling hole in the boat's floor, where water was slowly but surely filling. "We have to go back," he said.

You all stood, going to your positions. Maisie looked out from the rutter to the island. "We'll never make it!"

"Depends on how fast you can bail," Jacob countered.

He passed her a bucket and started rowing. She looked down at the bucket with distaste but started to throw the water out of the boat. She then glanced behind her, "Maybe Red can take us!"

"Back to the island?" you questioned.

"No, back home!"

"You have really lost it," Jacob groaned as he rowed.

"She saved us from that thing, didn't she?"

"Wait... she... are you..." He stopped, looking down at the girl in disbelief. "I think I did the saving, right? I mean, I threw the, the-... Get bailing! The water's coming in!"

Maisie went straight-faced, the stuttering proving her point, before he stood and turned around, calling to the Bluster. "Hey, Red!" She then picked up Blue, who squeaked. "See this little guy?" Red came closer, staring directly at her. "This is you."

"You're wasting your time," Jacob grumbled. "Y/N! What are you doing?"

"And this is me!" you added, holding up a pinecone. 

Maisie then held up a lychee and one of dragon fruits. "And this is me, and this is him!"

"Are you putting on a puppet show? We're sinking here!"

Maisie placed the fruits on Blue's head, pointing out to the vast ocean. "We need to get way over there. And I wonder if you might be good enough to take us?"

Red turned away, and Jacob's straining stopped as you all looked up at the beast, you and Maisie with more hope. Then, Red turned, and dove back into the water.

"Well, if she does understand ya, she don't wanna help," Jacob said, watching Red retreat. "Bright side? She didn't eat ya two. Now, get bailing."

Maisie sighed, leaning over the boat, where the bucket was floating in the water. She gasped when Red appeared underneath you with a wail. As she surfaced, the boat went with it. Jacob yelled as you and Maisie grunted, "Whoa!" The young girl giggled to herself as she looked around. We were now sitting atop Red's back.  Jacob chuckled nervously, glancing about. "I told you she was more than a beast!" Maisie smiled. She ran off the boat, but she tripped on the small bowsprit. Landing with a grunt, she felt Red's hide, which was wet and almost squishy to the touch. She began to laugh as she stood up, throwing her hands up. "WOOOOOOOOO!" Maisie screamed with joy.

Jacob let out a soft laugh, lightly shaking his head at her. As she gawked, you turned to him, a beaming grin gracing your lips as well. "The world is wide, Jacob. And you don't know everything."

You leaped off the boat, running to Maisie and lifting her up in your arms. She squealed with excitement as you ran atop Red, gazing out into the crystalline ocean surrounding you. Jacob watched with a soft smile, eyes following your figure as you twirled around, with a giggling Maisie in your arms.

For whatever reason, he found his heart swelling at the sight, comforted by the image.