Exploring the Gooey Lands

    The sun shone through the poorly made makeshift blinds, which are just a bunch of tall grass grossly weaved together, of the hut. A young Isoling bounded towards the larger Isomara, with a brown egg in tow.

    “Dammy! Dammy! It's morning! You promised me that we’d go to Cam and Fo’s hut today! And also the green island!” Faith exclaimed excitedly to the resting pale blue Isomara.

     “Mm… What, it’s already morning…?” Salt drawled and rolled over lazily, stretching their wings and limbs.

    They yawned and blinked a few times, shielding their eyes from the merciless sun. They sat up and faced Faith, pulling the little Isoling close to them.

    “Let me just stay like this for a bit.” Salt shuts their eyes for a couple of minutes before they finally fully awake. A soft knock was heard in the silent hut, as it alerted those dwelling in it.

    Salt lumbered towards the entrance with Faith and the brown egg, muttering under their breath, “Oh who could it be? We’re not expecting any guests aren’t we, Faith?” Faith shook their head, looking up questioningly at Salt.

    Salt exited the hut to find a tall yellow Isomara, along with a small brown Isoling and a pink Goom in front of the hut.

    “Good morning Salt and Faith! Charity and I thought you should visit you and Faith on this lovely day!” Paprika cheerily quipped, until the Goom nudged him and squeaked.

     “Oh, and of course Munchkin too! How could I forget?” Charity rolled their eyes but there’s a small smile, until they noticed Salt staring at them. They side glanced Salt and glared at them, unnoticeable to both Paprika and Faith. Salt grimaced but it passed as soon as Paprika patted them on the shoulder.

    “Whoops, sorry, I was distracted for a bit. What were you saying Paprika?” Salt questioned, looking at the big yellow darling.

    “That’s alright! I was asking that if you and Faith had any plans for today?” Paprika smiled.

    “Oh, we were actually heading to Carmen and Frio’s as Faith wanted to know more about how to take care of the egg, Mellow.” They gestured towards brown egg that Faith was holding onto. Faith smiled brightly as soon as they saw Paprika and Charity.

    “Pika and Car! Yay! Are you guys coming with us to Cam and Fo’s?” Faith squealed in excitement.

    “I guess that means we’ll have to, since you asked so nicely, right Charity?” Paprika giggled, looking at Charity.

    “Yeah, whatever you say, mommy.” They replied tersely.

    Soon, they arrived at Carmen and Frio’s hut, only to find the couple holding onto a strange purple egg. They did not seem to notice the group approaching them until Salt cleared their throat softly.

    “Oh hello there, Salt and Paprika!” Carmen greeted, happily addressing the children as well.

    “Are you back for more egg hatching tips?” Carmen waggles her non-existent eyebrows at both Salt and Paprika.

    “U-Uh, that’s not—” As Salt got interrupted by Faith, who promptly exclaimed, “Yes, Cam!! I would like to know more!” Carmen chuckled, seeing how Salt turned red, floundering as they looked at Paprika.

    “Well you’re all in for a treat today! Frio and I were just about to head out to Goom Island with this egg, Duestrum.” Carmen beamed.

    “We wanted to get the egg some “exposure”, it’s good for the egg’s growth, as Carmen claims. We also wanted to find pumpkins for pumpkin carving, so we’re heading over to the Island now.” Frio explained as he wanted to spruce up the hut with gorgeously carved pumpkins. Faith jumped in delight as they are all going on an adventure. They soon got ready and set off for the Goom Island.

    This odd group of six, with two eggs and a Goom, slowly made their way to the famed island with sand as green as the ocean. “Okay guys, we’ve made it all the way here, let’s do ha head count, to make sure no one’s missing.” Carmen declared and started to account for all the Isomaras and Isolings present.

    “… Six. Two eggs and one Goom. Looks like we’re all present and safe!” Munchkin squeaks in approval, climbing on top of Paprika, nestling in his curly plumage.

    “Dammy, can Charity and I play here, pleaseee?” Faith begs.

    “Of course, sweetheart. Just try not to wander too far.” Salt pets Faith, shooing them away with Charity.

    “Don’t worry about them, I’ll look after the kids.” Frio assures Salt and Paprika, before catching up to the Isolings.

    “They sure are growing up fast.” Paprika wipes a tear away, holding Salt close to him.

    “Yeah. They are.” Salt smiles reassuringly and soothes him. Charity and Faith can be seen frolicking around the sand, yelling at each other, kicking up sand and stumbling through it, with Frio chasing after them.

    “Sooo, I guess the care of the egg has fallen to you, huh, Salt?” Carmen grins, holding Duestrum in one of her paws.

    “And Frio doesn’t seem to want to touch the purple egg. He seems to think that it’s ‘freaky’.” She muses.

    “Yeah, it’s not like I mind or expected Faith to fully follow through. They are just a kid. I know they love this egg a lot and want to have a part in taking care of it. It really doesn’t matter if they did or not. It’s the thought that counts.” Salt breathes as they stroked the brown egg, Mellow. As Frio was looking after the Isolings at the beach, Carmen, Salt and Paprika wandered through the island and came across some pumpkin patches.

    “Ah these must be one of the many pumpkins that Pacings had generously planted! Frio would be so happy if we got some of these back to the beach.” Carmen said as she handed Duestrum to Paprika to hold. She pulls at one of the pumpkins, trying to detach it from the vines.

    “They sure are tough! Hey Salt, could you possibly give me a helping hand?” Carmen calls out, struggling with the large pumpkin.

    “Yeah, give me a second.” Salt gently places the egg into Paprika’s other paw, giving the tall Isomara a huge smile.

    “You’re a great dad.” Salt winks and promptly strolled towards Carmen to help her with her predicament. Paprika beams, walking proudly with two eggs in hand. He sits by the patch, watching Salt and Carmen work their muscles.