Reposted DoA literature: annoying anemones - 804 words - Jul 21st, 2020

for Dragons of Aquella summer event 2020, "Lil Games for lil Pups". includes some swearing.

 

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                Ulrin fidgeted with his front fins. A big piece of vibrant colored coral casted a shadow over him as he laid comfortably on the soft, sandy seafloor. He watched as a young Aqrion shepherded a flock of pups, glancing at the royal Giant every now and then. Finally she gave in.

                "Ulrin, would you kindly-"
                "No", the yellow hooded male stated instantly, before Roselia was even done with her question. She snorted angrily, but didn't say anything. Of course she knew that this proud piece of rotten fish wouldn't agree to help. Suddenly her face turned white as something tugged Ulrin's back flipper.

                "Sir Bird?" The large male heard a soft voice behind him, making him instantly see red. He turned his head and lunged it as close of the pup's face as he could without touching her.

                "What?" His eyes emitted a furious, purple glow as he snarled right at the pup's face. However, the youngling was not fazed or frightened; quite the opposite.

                "Woah, I thought only your fins were cool! How do you do that?" She yelled in excitement and clapped her front fins together. Ulrin pulled his head back, tilting it. A strange child, indeed. As the adult did not give a response, the pup continued:

                "Can we go play games, please? Roselia is very busy, but I really want to play some games! Please please please!" Ulrin only turned his head away, clearly annoyed. However, that didn't stop the pup from getting to her games! When she didn't get yet another answer, she grabbed the Giant Aqrion from his front flipper and started dragging him towards the game area. The royal Giant let out a long, agonizing sigh as he tried to keep his belly and other fins scraping the floor, effectively giving the pup some leverage for movement. Roselia's mouth pinched into a straight, white line as she watched the two approach the game zone. She was stretched too thin to intervene anymore, but she knew this pup was a determined, smart and feisty one. She only had to wish and pray in the name of Aquella that the poor pup would come back alive and well, instead of an assortment of bits and pieces.

 

                The strange pair reached the banner over the entrance, and the Sea Skimmer pup instantly saw the polyp game.

                "Whack a Polyp! Let's go there, Sir Bird!" She continued dragging the large dragon behind her, as Ulrin lifted his head.

                "I am not your plush toy, kid. Stop calling me that." His demand echoed to deaf ears as the pup finally let go of his fin and started chasing after polyps that would not be fast enough to hide. Ulrin sank back to the sand as he watched the pup's play. She twirled around the rock in circles, over and over again, most of the time not even seeing a single anemone pop up at all. The rare times she did see one, it was way too fast to retract even if she swam as fast as she could. Ulrin rested his head on his front fin as his eyes followed the spinning Skimmer pup. He would not help her. It was her game and she was the one who wanted to play it in the first place. She dragged him here against his will, period. It was not his job to offer a helping flipper. No matter. How annoying. It was. To watch.

                The Giant Aqrion turned his eyes away from the pathetic sight. The problem was that he could still hear the struggle the pup was going through. He heard her groans of disappointment and missed whacks every time she hit the rock over and over again. It was a battle she could not possibly win. But she would not receive any help. Not from him. Not until he had had enough of the never-ending show of disappointment. Ulrin got up and lunged at the rock in blind rage. He fixated his eyes on a single anemone, targeting it.

                "CAN'T YOU SQUISH A SINGLE FUCKING WEED I SWEAR TO AQUELLA-", he roared, spitting flames of fury through his tone. He spun around, doing a front flip. Without a hint of hesitation in his movement, he slammed down his tail on the polyp he had chosen only seconds earlier. The poor thing had no chance; nor did the whole rock. The force of the impact sent pieces of stone, dead and alive coral and severed polyps flying all over the area that was reserved for the polyp whacking game. Ulrin stared at the ruin that once was a game, fidgeting with his front fins; this time slightly nervously.

                "…oops", the Giant uttered. The Sea Skimmer pup turned her eyes to him and her face lit up.

                "That was AMAZING! Do it again!"