'Shrimpidy Shrimp' from the reboot bonus scene. Rewritten version.
The journey towards the sea was taking a toll on our poor little redhead. Chlomaki swooped- zig zagged- launched herself mid-air. It was fun and thrilling for her. But it was stressful and fear-inducing for Lobco. She cried for help...
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-!!" ...............................
Bird asked, "...? Did you hear that, lad?" Another bird responded, "Yeah. Sounded like a cry for help..." "Should we check it out?" Bird 1 asked. Bird 2 thinks, "Nah, let's go." "Yeah." The birds shrugged and didn't bother to check it out. "I was thinking, maybe, we could get shrimp shwarma." "Dude, I'm allergic." ......
Meanwhile, during the flight, Lobco tried to hold on to the brim of Chlomaki's hat; her tiny little pincers clutching it tightly like her life depended on it.
And finally, they reached their destination. When they flew down beneath the sea, into the depths...
...and landed in the Sea of Stars. π Gorgeous, twinkling stars carried by the waves. Ushering soft, soothing melody and the comforting presence of her home. Her anxiety quickly replaced with a calm reassurance and warmth within the safeties of the sea.
Home sweet home, Lobco thought. She sighed, half exhausted- half amused at her master's lack of regards and attention to the shrimp's safety when she almost fell off. Well, she is used to this feeling, after all. Nothing new, nothing less...
Chlomaki stretched, then yawned in her speech, "Yaawn~ Whew! Made it back in one piece. You'll never know just how far and amazing your own broomstick can take you." She sighed delightfully, "It may be tiring, but one thing's for sure, a little fun and adventure wouldn't hurt no body. Nyaaaaaaa~"
Then she started humming in her speech:
"Out in the beautiful, open wooorld~ Me and my supposed 'other' one.~"
(The supposed... other one? Is she talking about me? Well, that's really harsh...) Lobco thought, a little hurt, but not surprised.
But Chlomaki was too busy being absorbed in her own little monologue to pay any mind towards anything else.
Lobco for certain can't tell if Chlomaki is talking to her... Or Chlomaki is just talking to herself. More likely the latter. Lobco watched in exasperated fondness. Her master was talking about 'fun' adventures and complaining about how wide the sea is.
Lobco gave a wry, slightly concern smile as she raised her hand in silence, trying to get her attention. She tried to say something, but her mouth was left hanging, unable to mutter a single word out of fear that Chlomaki might hit her again, repeatedly. Perhaps it is best not to get her attention for now... So, she waited until she was done blabbering to herself.
Chlomaki: "So, wondering about this next trip..."
Chlomaki: "Hm? Yes, yes. You may speak. What is it?"
She finally acknowledged my existence! Lobco thought.
Lobco: "Y-you almost dropped me back there in the Underworld... S-so-"
Chlomaki, snapping her fingers: "Aha, right! Yes, I did remember. Thought I lost you back there. My baaaaad~ Still, give me a heads up. Yeah? You were waaay too small for me to notice."
Lobco took a deep breath and called her out on the next thing Chlomaki did.
Lobco, trying (and failing) to sound stern: "Y-you mistook me for a ball yesterday when you were trying out the racket from the stall market, remember? I was shot through the gap and ended up riding the toy roller-coaster that sped up every turn it took."
To be honest, the tiny roller-coaster wasn't so bad; it was a toy that meant to pace slowly for children. She had fun, but that's not important! She needed to be upset about the fact that the racket hit her through the gap!
Chlomaki: "Mhmmm~ Go on."
Lobco, stuttering: "A-and I almost fell down mid-flight just now...! S-so-"
She gathers up her reluctant courage to speak up. (This may not go well...)
"-be careful next time, please! That was so reckless and frustrating! E-especially when I had enough stress having to deal with-" She paused, realising her shift in tone. She tried to explain, "N-no wait... I didn't mean-"
Chlomaki: "Ohohohoh~ Well, well."
A sinister, but amused expression dawned on her master.
Chlomaki: "Did you just raise your voice at me?"
Chlomaki's usual smug, carefree voice- now replaced with a low, grimly purr.
Lobco: "W-wait, I didn't mean-!"
Lobco: "EeeEEeggh-eEeaAgghh-eeaAAaghh...!!"
She grabbed her cheeks and started stretching them out- a little too much pressure put in.
Chlomaki: "Think you're so brave now, huuuh?"
Lobco: "L-lady Chroaaah-"
Chlomaki grinned delightfully, playfully glaring with menace.
Chlomaki: "You're not just a nagging familiar, but an annoyingly persistent one at that."
She pulled even harder as Lobco struggled, frantically begging.
Lobco: "EeeGHAaaaAghh! Pweeeaaase staaaaahhp!"
She stopped, finally. She let go of her cheeks and sighed in mock disbelief, flashed with her signature, smug grin.
Chlomaki: "Good, good. I expect you to be obedient, as my familiar. It wasn't so hard now, was it?"
Lobco rubbed her cheeks, now a little red from too much pulled pressure...
She waited for Lobco to respond. Much to Lobco's disappointment for trying to reason with her, but nonetheless, she was obliged to do as her master said. She asked quietly.
Lobco: "...Yes, Lady Chlomaki?"
Chlomaki said, "I was thinking. It's been..." She stopped before continuing, "You've never been to the Overworld, right? Up in the sky." She pointed. "...?? No, I don't think so..." Lobco answered, unsure of what was being implied here. "What about it, Lady Chlomaki?" Then she made a good guess, "Is it Heaven? Much like the Underworld, is hell?" Chlomaki scoffed underneath, before responding, "Well, yes, you could say that." She proceeded, "It's a place where angels reside, much like..."
Before she could say anything, she thought it was futile to explain the buried parts out loud... a painful reminder that it's no use. As a witch, she has come a long way. She has learned to be resilient, wise and numb to emotions and self-pity. "Ah, forget it. Much like there's no real importance, unlike the Underworld."
The statement was bewildering to the shrimp. Lobco stood there, trying to piece together what her master had just said, but the vague description left her- ??????
Lobco asked, a little baffled, "If there's no real importance, they why bring it up?" Chlomaki shrugged, "Dunno. Thought that maaayybe I might go back there for some errand. (If I'm brave enough.) Who knows?"
Lobco: "...As you wish. Do you want me to accompany you along the way, Lady Chlomaki?"
Chlomaki: "Of course you're coming with me, shrimp! Who else?"
Lobco, in pain: "Who else...?"
Chlomaki, ignoring her: "I suppose I should bring my strongest familiar along with us as well."
Lobco, rubbing her head: "O-of course, Lady Chlomaki..." (Ow...)
After their prolonged banter, Chlomaki teleported back up, away from the sea, leaving Lobco for now.
The shrimp felt a bit relaxed, strolling through the Sea of Stars. With Chlomaki gone, it was safe to ponder her thoughts for a while.
Lobco sighed exasperatedly, "Lady Chlomaki, so mean... Always hitting me for no reason. Even as a cat, pounces instinctively on me. There were times I've stood up for my friends, but that didn't matter to her. Doesn't matter if I did try, she always found ways to berate me however she pleases; even went as far as to grope me and called my breasts a bunch of fatty flabs... Normally, I've gotten used to fighting my own battles and carrying my own weight as her familiar, but her bullying can go so far... Why is that? Why go as far as to mistreat me? When I was nothing but respectful and doing my best... I wonder, what is the reason?"
Her thoughts were drifting toward a reasonable explanation; however, unbeknownst to her, she couldn't conclude why. "When will Lady Chlomaki call me over next? Not for 'heaven', maybe. But for some other errand...? Just wondering if I'll have time to do something else?"
Then a hopeful thought occurred, forming a small smile on her face, "It's been a while since I've indulged in my hobbies for a bit, so maybe I'll pass the time by collecting a few photographs. But of what kind, I wonder?"
Lobco has a collection of photos taken under the sea, and she even took one of Aom and herself, smiling for the camera.
"The sea is where I took almost all my photographs of every scene, with my friends as well. Though..."
She looked up and contemplated; despite her lack of fondness for land, there were exceptions she was willing to make.
"...I would love to explore a wide variety of places for my photo album. Perhaps I should visit places like a forest or a field of roses- maybe even find something unexpected? (As long as it's not scary!) Then maybe, I could finally relax-"
A sudden, familiar voice called out. Lobco turned around to see her great friend Aom from the distance.
Lobco, blushing: "...Ah! Aom, it's you."
Aom, grinning lightly: "You're finally home. Long time no see. We have some catching up to do!"
Lobco smiled radiantly: "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
A sudden shift from worry and dismay to the warmth and comforts of her friend was a welcoming transition.
Lobco and Aom exchange conversations about the events happening after the Sea of Death invasion. Aom explained to Lobco that when she wasn't around, the runt of the octopus unleashed his ink all over town for some 'good luck' so no curses could fall upon the sea ever again.
Aom, aggravated: "I continued to punch that thing until the curse had truly been lifted- or rather, ink."
Lobco scrunched up her nose, now feeling revolted: "That was... Well... convenient."
Lobco: (questioning their life choices) "Don't tell me the ink is still all over town..."
The corners of her mouth twitched into a concerned smile. Worrying about the town's safety and health hazards already.
Then Aom second-guesses herself.
Aom: "Though, don't go to town for now."
Not the pleasant welcoming for her a quiet, stress-free day she was hoping for...
Lobco, internally gagging: "So, it happened recently? Understood. Let's take a stroll towards... The opposite direction, I suppose."
Aom groaned and sighed: "That thing is troubling, for sure."
Both of them took a stroll (away from the hazard) in the Sea of Stars. It was mostly Lobco talking about her experiences outside of the sea, with Aom listening attentively.
Aom: "Can't imagine what it's like to spend the majority of time outside of the sea."
Lobco couldn't imagine either; the only difference is that she had experience in real life without the imagining part.
Aom, nudging her arm: "Lobco, can I ask you something? If that's okay..."
Lobco: "Oh, of course. What is it, Aom?"
Aom's usual relaxed posture is now set aside for worry for her friend.
Aom: "Lobco, how long do you think you could handle yourself back there? Was it stressful sometimes?"
Lobco's eyes almost widen with surprise and a little grateful that her friend worries for her, but she couldn't say anything; Lobco could only stare and fumble with her words.
Lobco, gulping: "Eh? W-what are you saying...?"
Aom: "I was just wondering. Being a witch's familiar and having to spend the majority of time away from home. How does it really feel?"
Lobco: "Erm..." (How should I say this?)
While yes, it was stressful for Lobco having to deal with Chlomaki's shenanigans and misfortunes happening around her on land. However, despite her stressful situations and mistreatment, there was another part of her that wanted to change for the better and to break out of her cowardly shell. Besides, giving up now means she's giving up on herself.
If she gives up now, then what was the point of experiencing and learning to adapt on the surface, only for her to run back to the sea where nothing is resolved in her life?
Deep down, she wanted nothing more than to be at home with her family and friends; to be remembered, of course. But to do that, she needed to overcome her fears, her anxieties, and her negative thoughts that hindered her completely.
So, she has finally come to a conclusion,
She would keep serving her master (no matter how infuriating she can get) and see where her future should be foretold.
With her final thoughts coming to a decisive conclusion, she tried to muster up her confidence, but ended up stammering mid-sentence.
Lobco, feigning a smile: "I-it's fine, really! T-there's nothing to worry about!"
Aom was a little skeptical at first,
Aom: "Hm. Are you sure? Because there's no need to push yourself too hard..."
Lobco, feigning optimism: "Y-yup! All good. In fact, I actually love working outside of sea."
She announces her true potential:
Lobco: "Oh, and I can fly!"
Aom wide-eyed: "...You can fly?"
The room was peaceful, minus the squeaky snores echoing in the room; it was a sleepy shrimp tucked away peacefully. The place was comforting after a long, tired day at work. No stress, no dangers-
In fact, Lady Chlomaki was kind enough to teach her fellow shrimp how to 'fly' before sleep.
"Nya nYa nyA Nya nYA!" (β γβ Οβ γβ )
And her method was to pounce on her-
"GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHH-!!!!"
(Boy, what an experience.) Lobco thought to herself, sarcastically.
Despite that terrible lie (sorry), it was enough to convince Aom to retreat from her worries.
Aom thought to herself with a spark of admiration: (I used to think Lobco was a little fragile for her own good, but now I can see that she has finally grown a little stronger.)
Well, folks. This was a LONG one. (Why did I make it this long?) m(._.)m
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