OPEN || Kinda Bug and Kinda Snack

[fractales]

Who: Turo & You!
Status: Open
Where: Snaxburg Island
What: Snaxburg Secrets MANTA Quest, exploring the town-sized island and taking everything in. Building up what is essentially a Snaxdex. Other shenanigans likely to ensue.(Prose or brackets, I'll match you)
Warnings: Will but any up as needed.

Exploration 🐞

A
[Really, this was just the thing to get into after properly resting after an incident last month -and fortunate he did rest, given the mess of things elsewhere- was to head to a newly discovered island. Even if on the smaller side, the rumored life there sounded absolutely fascinating, and reason there were several notebooks stashed away in his leather bag along with a few other items more meant for anyone else exploring he might stumble across as well.

Even the moment he started in, the darting sweetie flies of various kinds were eye catching, and carefully he was able to coax a glittering one that looked like rock candy on a stick to land on his hand.]

Well, you are magnificent little one.


B
[Turo had stopped to take pictures of a few Bugsnax that were marching along, a section which had fallen behind racing to catch up, when a rather glittering, brightly colored bugsnack practically leapt into view to strike a pose the moment the sound of the shellphone's camera had gone off. Rather excitedly as well.]

Oh. You... like attention?

[INSTA!] Ah, I see.

[This one would likely stay still enough for him to sketch out- even if it wasn't necessary, but easier to share like the pictures would be...]


Take It All In 🍔

[It hadn't really been too long into Turo's adventure before a couple of Bungers had taken to following after him. Bouncing along with every step, even rushing along as if to ensure a few more aggressive of their kind kept a distance.

More so when Turo had found a good place to sit that had so many varieties of them milling about so he could pull out one of the notebooks and start sketching a few groups amongst the pages that carried a few more individual pieces that had notes with them.

Even with a few of the somewhat larger Bugsnax flying around, almost at ease with his presence.

Even with things like Loaded Spuddies and a few Flapjackarak meandering around. Watching how they seemed to 'hunt' around here.]

Are you two not hungry?

[Bunger Bunger Bunger—]

Hm. If you are sure.


Wildcard! 🃏
[Bring your own take on a starter, or hit me up if you'd like me to write something a little more personalized ᓚᘏᗢ]

Comments

kinda wildcard?

[menaceunleashed]

[Questions of the day;

1. Are Bugsnax taming
2. Are they worth taming
3. Can you ride one into battle

THESE, AND OTHER QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED SHORTLY...one hopes. So Turo, sooner or later, will likely encounter this man not so much wandering about as...searching for traces, as it were, of larger creatures. All but ignoring the smaller ones, possibly even stepping on a poor Bunger-]

🃏ฅʕ•̫͡•ʔฅ

[fractales]

[A h—]

Pardon me, but- Are you lost by chance?

[A few of the dragon-fly like bugsnax had buzzed right off the moment Turo had stepped into the same bit of clearing as Ganondorf amongst all the leafy foliage and trees of the island. They had taken to him as a moving perch given that he hadn't started going after themamongst other reasons]

Even if a smaller island, it is unfamiliar enough some could easily get turned around.

[menaceunleashed]

[eh what now]

...no.

[Slightly.]

I am seeing what this place has to offer. So far, it does not seem to be much.

[fractales]

If you are certain.

[Even with the couple of Bunger simply bouncing in place off of those curly fry legs without a thought or care in their entire bodies. Turo was just- well, a little bit cautious. Remaining in place himself rather than moving further into the clearing.

His head tipped slightly to one side.]

Are you looking for something in particular?

[menaceunleashed]

Something...more than these. Things.

[He doesn't exactly kick the dog punt the nearest Bunger. But that is sure a forceful nudge with his foot. Out of his way, creature.]

Surely there must be some sort of predator.

Take it all in

[telepathicignorance]

Turo?

(They're not exactly the most mobile right now, but they didn't really want to be on Eltrut in the wake of the disaster that hit it, and they don't have to worry about monsters the way other people do.

They can literally read the minds of animals, after all.

Anyway, they've got a cane and they've been hobbling around checking out the various food mimicking insects on the island and ...well. They probably should have expected to find the wildlife scientist, too.)

[fractales]

[His pen lifted from paper before his hand stilled for too long, looking up at the same time—]

Ah, hello Chris. How are you doing?

[A few specific bugsnax moving around where Turo sat, the Bunger simple meandering around them in turn, as he remained seated there on that seat-like boulder.]

[telepathicignorance]

Better.

(They'll sit on the ground next to Turo's boulder and lean against it, making sure not to disturb any of the bugsnax. They set their cane down beside them.)

Taking notes?

(They reach out with their mind, feeling the creatures that inhabit the area. Since their arrival, their telepathy seems to have weakened, become able to read minds but not affect them [aside from dreams], but still they try and see if they can draw in more wildlife.)

[fractales]

Glad to hear it.

[Even if still needing some help getting around, it was still far better than the last time he had seen Sidestep. Likely appeared to be doing much better himself, given he wasn't being reminded he needed to remain in bed as a precaution.

There might have been some odd undercurrent, some bigger connection- but it seemed to fade as if there for only a split second.

Turo hummed, the sound soft.]

Yes, along with a list of how many of these creatures seem to exist.

[telepathicignorance]

(Their bruises are healing quickly, even if their leg is still messed up and they're not near 100% yet. Unfortunately, they've got some new scrapes and bruises. Probably from the disaster that was Garuda attacking everything, because it's not like a Corsair would be able to shelter on Elah.

Sidestep considers reaching for the ...connection? They sense but decides it's better not to push themself.)

Found anything interesting?

(After a moment they reach into their pocket and pull out ...a candybar? What they unwrap seems kind of like one at least. Seeds encased in hardened honey. They break off a piece and toss it on the ground to see if it'll interest any of the critters before taking a bite of their own.)

bunger bunger bunger--

[detectiveforhierophant]

Snack food bugs. It was all-- they were all snack food bugs.

Dojima firmly believed he was going crazy, or dreaming, watching them all scurry around, repeating a single word as their cry as they went about their business. He'd been mostly quiet as he followed Turo, not really able to say anything for a while.

"What did I drink last night...?"

He finally muttered to himself, watching as Turo was already pulling out those sketchbooks of his.

[fractales]

"Are you doing alright?"

Turo was well seated on the boulder by then, it large and flat enough for two if Dojima had wanted a seat as well- or needed to sit down by the looks of him. Turned somewhat, a notebook propped against a thigh and a pen in hand as the Bungers there were already circling.

Bouncing happily in their movement around and around, and around.

[detectiveforhierophant]

Dojima... did, sit down, to the side of Turo. His gaze was a bit distant at this point, half taking in the 'Bungers', he supposed, circling them.

He really wanted to take a cigarette out, but that could scare off... whatever these things are.

"It's a burger."

Statement.

...Give him a second.

"--A burger with googly eyes, fries for feet and ...horns? Tusks? That repeats some word over and over again like something from a kids cartoon."

This just could not be real.

[fractales]

"I suppose that 'Bunger' could be what they're called? Given that all of them say something of the sort." Sweetie fly, Instabug, Picantis, and so on. "The googly eyes are a bit strange, as otherwise they appear to be various foods, yes."

Which was simply fascinating. Why did they look like food? Candies and even foods made of various ingredients, but seemed to be a solid creature. All of this required some deeper research, which likely meant that Turo was going to be spending quite a bit of time on this island.

For a moment Turo set the pen down within his notebook, resting that hand on one of Dojima's shoulders with a gentle squeeze.

"Do you need a break?"

[detectiveforhierophant]

"How is it even talking?! It doesn't have a mouth...!"

Face in his hand, this is how Dojima finally broke. This world was breaking him--

"I feel like I have to toss out everything I knew was real..."

Exploration A - and a bit of fussing

[yuezun]

[As Turo began exploring, Daqiang appeared somewhere behind him in a burst of black smoke, sending the bugs scattering. His eyes caught their movement and followed them. If they were anything like most bugs, they'd be back eventually.

Unconcerned about them, he walked at a steady pace to stand next to Turo and look him over.]

Are you certain you are recovered enough to be exploring on your own? You spent so much time out of your bed while you should have been in it, this venerable one cannot be certain.

[fractales]

[It was something to see just how quickly some of them could scatter and-- did a few of them

vanish into the ground? Interesting. Something that Turo noted to keep in mind for later, all so his full attention could instead turn towards the other, head bowed briefly in greeting to Daqiang.]

I believe so, and have promised to take breaks if I do feel even slightly off. I do have a terrible habit of not allowing myself to fully rest, and I am grateful to have you take the time to check on me. [He didn't seem to be the type to enjoy it being worded as 'worry' and the like, but it was there in Daqiang's own way wasn't it.] If you would like to be sure, I would be honored to have your company during observation of flora and fauna of the island, Moon Supreme.

The 'bugsnax' are very interesting, and are worth looking into. Strange as they seem to be.

[yuezun]

They are... abundant.

[The island had a strange spiritual presence that made it difficult to sense the presence of the much smaller 'bugsnax' that lived upon it. But the sheer number of the creatures was obvious. They may have scattered, but that didn't mean he couldn't see where they hovered in the distance, their tiny minds certainly trying to decide how dangerous it was to return.]

They look akin to that island where meat 'grows'. Only more...

[He waved at them]

...'bug' than plant.

[fractales]

Incredibly so, along with the varieties there are even within those that are similiar.

[All of the 'Sweetie Flies', 'Sodies' and 'Bungers'; all the same sort of subspecies, but with their own in appearance and at times behavior. What could attract them. He could spend such a long time here studying them if left to his own devices for too long.]

Mm, and this island appears to have flowers which sprout a sauce-like substance that attracts them. Things like- cheese, chocolate, and some other condiments. I have never seen anything like them before.

[yuezun]

This world is often very strange.

[He muttered, eyeing bugs in the distance before turning his head to focus on the plants and see if he could spot the sauce-like substances Turo spoke of.]

It is if hundreds of minor realms have merged into the mortal realm. Forcing creatures and beings to live along side others they should never have mixed with. Each island like a realm unto itself.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Now, Zelda isn't someone who is easily fazed by weirdness. She comes from a world of diverse peoples, creatures, and even monsters. And she's a scientist!-- She prides herself on being as objective as possible in the face of new and unusual things.

But this is a sandwich. A living sandwich, with two sad eyes and a slice of tomato lolling out of its... mouth? front...bread? ...scampering on sliced onion legs after a long line of its brethren. (Or perhaps breadthren would be more appropriate.) This has to be the weirdest thing Zelda has ever seen.

She has to follow it. How can she not Why is a sandwich alive? How is it alive? She's got to know!!

So Zelda is trailing along behind the Sandopedes, crouched down in something resembling a crab walk as she holds the Purah Pad out in front of her to get a ground-level picture. She's so focused that she doesn't even notice Turo sketching as the Sandopedes pass in front of him. So close... Almost there... Just slow down a tiny bit and--

-Snap!- The camera shutter clicks. ]

Got you!

[fractales]

[She had caught his own attention after a moment, pen paused above the paper as- that was an interesting device in her hands, it was difficult not to focus on it for a brief moment after taking her in. Clearly she'd found the -well, it said Sandopede, so perhaps that?- walking line of sandwiches that appeared to be multiple that made up one creature.

Couldn't blame her for wanting to get a better look at it, a reason he had planted himself in spot given that it seemed to be running a circuit of sorts. Taking the same path over and over again while undisturbed from it. Less likely to run and hide as some of the smaller ones did as well.

I was all fascinating.]

Did you get the shot you wished for?

[A small wave offered when she may look up- and absolutely as if this was normal. Nothing off here other than the Bugsnaxs' existence.]

[multidisciplinary]

[ As she straightens up, grinning triumphantly at the Purah Pad, Zelda hears an unexpected voice call out to her. With a gasp, she spins around to find a man (a regular man, not some kind of food man) seated nearby with a pen and paper in his lap. He greets her with a friendly wave, as if this was a perfectly normal place to run into another person, not an island populated by living snacks. ]

Oh! I, ah... [ She stumbles over her words, momentarily struck dumb by the surprise of finding another person on this bizarre island.

Fortunately, the princess's sharp wit catches up with her quickly. ]

I-- I believe so, yes!

[ Zelda carefully makes her way over to the man, making sure not to accidentally step on any food creatures. She flips the Purah Pad around to show the image captured on its screen. ] I wanted a proper picture of it from straight-on instead of looking down so that I could properly see all the, uh, sandwich layers.

[fractales]

[—He had been completely missed then, oops. Still no reason not to remain friendly, keeping to his spot for the moment given she was already making her way over; he placed his pen away in a pocket after making sure that it was well capped.

Leaning just a little to get a good look at the image presented.]

That is a marvelous shot, your concentration paid off very well. [A genuine compliment as well.

He lifted his notebook, showing the highly detailed scenery that did include the creature- along with a few others that had been flitting in the air. A few careful colors placed so the snack-like creatures stood out well, near life-like.]

After a few pictures I wanted to capture how things seem to tie together. [There were a few notes here and there; the repeated walking pattern, where the crystal sweetie fly seemed to rest between flying about and so on.]

So I have been quietly observing here. They're quite fascinating, and... very odd with how much they resemble food.

[multidisciplinary]

[ Zelda brightens at his compliment, any remaining awkwardness fading from her expression. She can't help but be delighted any time someone compliments her scholarly endeavors. Even though she's a princess, she genuinely loves research and she's always happiest whenever she gets to indulge in it.

She steps a bit closer when Turo presents his notebook and leans in to get a good look at his illustrations. How exceptional! To be able to capture their surroundings and these strange creatures so accurately on paper-- he must be an artist.

Zelda nods along with him. ] Very odd! I can confidently say I have never seen anything quite like them. Usually, a small creature's appearance is intended to deter or disguise it from predators, but these seem rather like they would have the opposite effect.

[ Tbh if it wasn't for the eyes, that would be a really appetizing sandwich... ]