nostalgia

They remember the trees growing up, up, up. 

They remember giggling and cackling to their friends, as strange as themselves. Theorizing the trees wanted to make contact with the universe as much as they did.

They would run out from the humble abode dug from the roots of their home tree, cheering and dancing while their mother looked upon them from afar, tired as ever. Ears high and twitching, hearing the song of the wind and the leaves.

They’d climb the tallest of trees, mark their record with deep claw marks and their alias. Moss ball, Mossy, Marimo.

They remember singing with the allays, being wary but mischievous with the vexes - back when they were natural and free like the rest of life. The universe watched over them with its careful eye, and blessed them with this life.

…

They remember feeling so familiar with their surroundings.

No songs, nothing but the moist air of trapped condensation. Nothing but the sudden yet soothing sensation of a reminiscent of older times - the strange one calls it The Sniffer… named the specimen ‘Rhynie’. 

The moss was hydrated and taken care of. Traces of disturbance was obvious, the sniffer has been busy and clearly sees no rest to digging up the old seeds and roots of Marimo’s past - the torch flowers and pincer pods. It struck some fondness in the creature but brought a sense of nostalgia, not a very welcome kind.

Anything, any reminder of their lengthy slumber made them feel their perceived age. Hibernating for years and years, expecting to wake up soon like everyone else, only to be buried by weather and torrent; forced into a deeper slumber, forced to bare neigh-witness to the end of their era, and the start of a new one.

It didn’t want this. But when did it really have a choice..? The universe knows what it wants. It always does; and even if Marimo was a being of ancient history, the universe will always want a new . . .

No… you do not speak of it that way. It sees all, it knows better. Even better than you.

…

“Is everything okay?” A new yet familiar voice spoke. Skrill… their name was Skrill… what fracture of their kind is left that brings the poor rabbit out of its fragmented state; dwelling on the past. “You look tense.” They were sitting in front of them, waving a hand. They slowly came to a stop once Marimo showed signs of being back with them, in reality… In the New World.

“S-Sorry.. gems I’m so sorry…” Marimo patted at their forehead a bit, trying to keep themselves anchored, feeling themselves slipping again. Ever since they were dug up, their mind had a… complex time adjusting to all the new sights, sounds, smells, touches.

Touch. Their paws fiddled with the bread they were given. They stare, and stare, and stare.

Their stomach turns.

“...D-Do you…” Skrill thinks. They remember how vigorously Marimo scarfed down the honey bottles when Physalis handed them to it when they first arrived. “...want more honey?” The speed of which Marimo’s head furiously nodded left Skrill getting up as fast and digging into the chests, pulling out two bottles and handing both to the larger entity. 

It hesitates briefly, taking only one. Skrill twitches the other bottle towards them slightly, grabbing their attention again with a hum. “They’re both for you. I.. rarely seen you eat anything since you got here - even after earlier.” 

Marimo mumbled something, taking the bottle in their grip and slightly pulling it towards Skrill instead.

“I’m not hungry, I ate.” 

They mumble something else, before taking the bottle and putting it next to them. As Skrill sat back down, they couldn’t help but notice Marimo use their teeth to pull off the cork and once again - devouring the honey in the bottle.

Skrill didn’t even think one could chug a liquid so viscous. Marimo proved them wrong, they supposed. The two sat quietly as it got its fill, after being unable to eat the bread. Skrill contacted Physalis on their communicator while Mar fidgeted and eventually dazed again, eyes going vacant. 

Skrill was quick to notice this time.. it seems when they were out of it, they go motionless… eerily; not like a natural stillness. Like a body of water with absolutely no ripples, scary almost. “Marimo?” They called.

It jerked a bit, blinking before standing up. 

“Sorry-” Their voice was scratchy.

“It’s okay.. do you want to talk? O-Or.. Physalis can check you over i-if you need to.. you seem dazed..” Skrill raised a hand, Marimo’s gaze shifted to the hand and seemed to lock on - they promptly, and slowly, withdrawn their hand.

“...It’s fine.. I just.. It’s been so long.. I-I keep saying it but it’s… affecting me.. more than I thought…” Their voice cracked towards the end of their sentence. The rabbit nervously scratched at the back of their head, curls tangling down their shoulder before they wandered over to what was once Skrill’s bed… not like they slept in it much beforehand anyway.

“Okay… b-but if you.. need anything, we’re both here, okay? Me and Physalis.” Skrill gestured to themselves and to a general direction where the scientist might be. Marimo nodded and let out a gentle sigh. “I’m.. going to try and rest.. I’m not usually like this- I’m sor-” 

“Hey, I get it.” Skrill stood up and was… about to touch Marimo. so close. Very close. Their hand barely ghosted over their shoulder but the rabbit slightly motioned away. Fuck, forgot about that. 

They mouthed a small ‘Sorry’ and continued, guilt creeping up their chest. “You’ve been asleep for god-knows-how-long. The world you remember- w-we??? remember is vastly different from where you are standing… We’ll be here all the way to help you adjust for as long as you’d … like to be here.” They kept their hands tucked into their elbows, occasionally gesturing here and there.

“I-i…o-okay..” Marimo took a deep, shaking breath. “Thank you.. again…” They nodded. The rabbit walked to the bed and sat on it, taking some time before curling up the best it could on it and resting.

Skrill hopes that their rest remains well. Poor thing might have nostalgic dreams for so long starting now.