Farmer's Venture

Stretching... yawning a little.. Cowlick, the now fully grown Bettabo, just woke up from an afternoon nap. One thing they didn't outgrow, many naps filled with silly dreams. This time though, the silly little creature fell asleep in direct sunlight! They got a pretty bad sunburn, and might have even gotten heatstroke if they didn't wake up before now.
Wading in some water nearby, they begin to cool off just a little. Maybe it'd be better to wade in the shade though, they think. Swimming past the brush, and the lilypads, then the spare few large sticks floating around, they finally make it to the lakeside near a big tree shading the water. This spot was muuuch cooler, and defiantly helped a lot. Ah....

Just then, a little sound came out of nowhere and startled the relaxing bettabo. It was almost like a little clacking noise, though a tiny 'squee' was also heard. Opening up their eyes again, one by one, they quickly see it's another one of those odd little round creatures they had seen a while ago. Remembering the last ones they had seen were near ponds as well, they realize this must be their habitat.
This one was a dark blue color, shiny and rounded, with a little leaf on it's head just like the others. Deeply concentrating on the water level, the cute little thing waded slowly into the lake before them, one little leg at a time. Once in the water though, it seemed to relax quite a bit, gliding around and enjoying itself.

Maybe they could try saying hello to this one.. it would be nice to know the creature's name for once, even if they aren't buddies. As a grown bettabo, they know how to be more gentle now. Having dealt with many gentler creatures than them, a swift and silent little paddle was no big deal. The waves did bring motion to the water though, making the creature turn around and see what was headed it's way.
Surely not expecting Cowlick, it's eyes got real wide and it almost wiggled away. Knowing better this time though, the little fish slowed down until they came to a halt. Just staring at each other for a moment or two, each of them studies their appearance.

This little blue creature actually had quite iridescent.. skin? It was almost like plating on armor, not that a little bettabo would know what that is. And the leaf atop it's head, it was actually sprouting out of it's body! Not just a little leaf stuck on the poor creature like Cowlick had thought.
"H-hello?" The little cowfish uttered a gentle greeting, hoping the creature understood language at all. Sadly though, it seemed it didn't, or at least couldn't speak. It only tilted it's head a bit, and stared more quizzically than before.

Hmm.. maybe showing what they wanted to say, would be better than saying it. Cowlick doggy paddles on over to a bigger leaf, snatches it in their mouth, and brings it back. The large soggy leaf, now riddled with small teeth marks from the little fish, was propped up on it's stem. Giving a small demonstration of a handshake, conversation, then a hug, they hope at least some of it made sense to the creature.
After a pause that felt like forever, the little thing finally sat up in the water and clapped it's little legs together in applause! Regardless of if it did understand what was being shown, the little thing enjoyed a good show it seems.

The bettabo is glad to have entertained the little guy, but it didn't give much in details of who they are or what their name is. Though putting on another show for the odd creature, Cowlick does a little dance with his big leaf, and bows at the applause that follows. Enjoying their time together, regardless of words, the two hang out deep into the afternoon. They only notice sundown, and have to retreat back to their homes; a small burrow near the lake for the little creature, and a small bed of leaves for Cowlick tonight. They figured they'd stay close to this nice refreshing lake for the time being, maybe they can find more positive encounters with others of it's kind.
Drifting off to sleep, they think of possible names for it... tough nut.. bugado... leetle..

Early in the morning though, the small thing comes back, and even sniffs out the bettabo to give a shocking morning greeting, a few inches away from their face. After getting a bit startled, they rubbed their eyes a bit and said a "good morning!" Still not seeming to be the one for talking, the creature just beamed a joyful smile. Seeming to have attached the new friend they've been hoping for, Cowlick thinks about how it's a very nice day today already.