escordvi | closed 🌠⚡ you and me, living in symphony

Just distract them with it for a moment, I'll try and get the channels dug out quickly.

[He'd help, but—! For now, he quickly digs around her, trying to scoop out more sand as he does.

But another head is poking out! And another...]

[Oh, no!! How many are there!? Remembering what they had done before, Tifa starts to wave the shiny shell around, letting it shimmer in the light. The many turtle heads that pop out of the sand all stare up at it in wonder.]

Doo doo doo, baby turtle! Doo doo doo, baby turtle...

[Don't laugh at her!!! It's working! Out comes one turtle, and then a second, that one tumbling across the sand as the third accidentally shoves it. Tifa reaches down to correct it, but it snaps its tiny little jaw at her. It doesn't manage to get her, but it's certainly trying again as she sets it back on its feet.]

Hey—! No biting!

[There's os definitely a snort when he hears her sing that silly song, but he'll look up sharply when he hears her next.]

I warned you, they'll bite. Better if you use a stick if you have to handle them.

They're all shoving each other out of the nest.

[Her nose crinkles at them as she nudges another one out of the way so that it isn't bumped out by its sibling. But slowly, they start to waddle towards her with the shell.]

We've got some coming your way.

[Oh boy.]

Guess I'll have to dig faster... It's straight to the water, anyway.

If you can keep them distracted to slow their progress I should be able to make it.

[They're just little turtles, how fast they can be?

Faster than he would expect, at least a couple of the front runners. Although he scrapes and digs the sand with renewed fervor there is at least one that seems intent to chase him, and even takes a big snap at the wood shovel when it manages to get close enough.]

[Seeing this, Tifa sets down several shells in their path, even as the wayward turtle makes its way over to Eustace to chase him. It seems to work, because they're momentarily distracted by the shimmering of the seashells, but not even the prettiest ones can hold out for long against pure animal instinct to get to the water as quickly as possible.

When one of them tries to climb over, she has to grab it, but it chomps down on her finger. Fortunately, it doesn't hurt as they do not have teeth, but she tries to peel it off to no avail.]

They're pretty strong for being newly hatched...

[And she'll wander over with a turtle hanging precariously from her hand.]

Here, might as well take this one, too.

[Eustace had been so focused on trying to keep ahead of the turtle, that he looks up in surprise when he sees one hanging from... Tifa's finger!?!?]

How—

[HEY TURTLE THOSE ARE PRECIOUS?? For now he sticks the driftwood deep into the path, the turtle that was after him now biting and bonking its shell against it as if trying to knock down a giant tree (it won't), before he reaches out for her.]

Hey, she's not food, let go.

[He'll put a hand on the turtle, but he won't pull.]

[The turtle kicks its tiny little feet and only holds onto her finger tighter, and she swears that it's locking Eustace under a death stare.]

It doesn't hurt... Just feels a little weird. And honestly, if it keeps them out of trouble until we can get them all rounded up and lead them to the water...? I don't mind, really.

But it might learn to bite other people...

[And more importantly, it's HER finger???

There's just a glaring contest before Eustace clicks his tongue and moves closer to try and pry its mouth open. He's deliberately making it so his finger is there in case it wants to try and chomp it instead...]

[Okay, it is...kind of amusing watching Eustace and this little turtle fight it out over the wellbeing of her finger, and she can't help but laugh at the picture before her.]

I think it might be winning...

[Its jaw is really locked on, and it continues to kick its feet, its front legs coming up to try and knock Eustace's finger out of the way.]

[Stubborn little—

But since it doesn't seem to want to let go and he can't really get a grip on that tiny mouth, not wanting to risk hurting Tifa's finger or at worst cut her skin, he stops and glances around.]

Here, what about this?

[He picks up some dried seaweed that had washed ashore and holds it up to the turtle. Come on, don't you want real food??]

[She sees that interest, and Tifa brings a hand up beneath it again in case it does let go...

Meanwhile, that other poor turtle on the ground is still trying to butt through that large stick, and climb up the edges of the path that he's dug to no avail. Back to this one—

It falls into her hand after a few moments of consideration and waddles towards the seaweed with its mouth open.]

Oh! Guess they'll go for just about anything you dangle in front of them...

[Although there's some satisfaction in getting the turtle off her finger, there's still also a heavy frown as he lets the turtle have the seaweed and turns his attention to Tifa for the moment.]

How's your finger? It didn't cut through, did it?

[He's already going to just grab the turtle to take it off her hands and set it down with the seaweed before taking her hand for closer inspection.]

No, it's fine.

[She gives him a sheepish smile. Is he worried about her? ... It's sweet.]

It's just a little red, that's all. I've had worse bites from my cat.

[Of course he is??? IT'S HER HAND.]

Even so... One thing I didn't consider if they could be poisonous...

Edited 2025-05-01 05:45 (UTC)

Well, I guess we'll find out, won't we?

[She presses her good hand to his cheek with a reassuring smile.]

I'm sure it'll be fine. But we'll worry about that later—we gotta make sure the rest of these turtles don't get loose and start wandering off.

[A small sigh as he looks at her hand one last time before nodding as he looks at the turtles. The one that had been rambunctious has noticed the seaweed and joined its sibling to take a few bites.]

Looks like giving them some food helps. Might help buy some time at least as I finish the path for them.

Seaweed and shells.

[Her expression lights up, and she suddenly kneels down to sort through the shells that they do have.]

Actually, see if you can grab a little more of the seaweed.

Sure.

[There's plenty around, so he quickly moves closer to the shore. Honestly he's not sure if they prefer dry or fresh, so he gets a good mix of both before returning.

And so, with the turtles momentarily preoccupied with a pre-ocean dive snack, Eustace works to finish digging those channels while Tifa continues watch and decorate the area with the shells, a few of which the turtles also enjoy looking at, poking them with their heads or legs. Some even try to shuffle under a shell, as if wanting it on top of their own. And best of all, thanks to Eustace's warning shot earlier, no other birds or potential predators come down to threaten them. With the channels now dug, Eustace returns to help Tifa as more of the turtle nests start to stir and more join the initial group. Together, the two play a little with the turtles, careful not to get their fingers bitten (although Eustace had a few snap at him and had to shake off a couple more than once).

Once they are able, they watch and guide the turtles to the water and with an arm around her waist, Eustace and Tifa watch them swim off while some of the turtles actually into the forest where they would forage for food and find homes there. Looks like a good number wanted to grow up on big grandpa Snappy.

After collecting the shells off the beach and gathering their takes, they take a walk along the beach hand in hand, catching glimpses of the turtles that had swum off as well as watching others handle the nests. Some were just as successful, others were going through it. One even had several babies hanging off their clothes...

But as peaceful as their day started, that would be later broken when they encounter a group of scavengers and had to beat them down when they make the wrong move to try and rob the two. Later they find one of the toxic spines, and with Eustace's lightning shots weakening it, Tifa is able to kick it down to destroy it. With enough excitement for the day, the two return to the forest to try and find some ingredients—especially mushrooms—for Tifa to use. Although there may have been a few clumsy mishaps, they are able to collect what they need and start making their way back to where the ships were docked.

Throughout it all, the burn on their hands seemed such an insignificant thing, especially since it was a lot less here. It's only when returning will they be reminded of it, and it's...annoying and frustrating to be sure. They had the potions which they use once it gets bad enough, but Eustace can tell Tifa isn't pleased by it. Still, it's better than nothing at all, and after getting cleaned up he'll spend some more time with her.

Just a quiet, relaxing evening where they can sit out, enjoy the scenery as they talk about their little adventure on the turtle.]

Edited 2025-05-05 17:34 (UTC)

closed 🌠⚡ you and me, living in symphony

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