Chibi Aeanoid
Solo
The smallest of the plant species, Errr, a chibi Aeanoid paced up the walls. Her root-like tentacle feet gripping the carved walls as she climbed up, sticking to the rocks before wandering down again. “He isn’t coming back.” She whined. “He’s gone, and there is no hope anymore.” She complained.
“Errr.” Her mother called. “The Rift isn’t an answer. Takeaway is gone.”
Errr looked over at her mother, her large golden eyes filling with tears at the thought of never seeing her best friend again.
The large Aeanoid tilted her head, shaking it sadly. “There is a space suit, near the entrance at the blast doors. They only open once a day for ten minutes at midnight, when the sun in the brightest. Make sure you are wearing that suit before those doors open. Then Run. Run as fast as you can into the Rift. You may never come back. I will always love you. I can not stand by and watch you waste away miserably with no future here. Maybe our ancestorial seeds managed to disperse elsewhere and you will find others like us. Maybe not. For a chance at any future Errr, go and don’t look back.”
“Mother?” Errr climbed off the walls.
“I love you.”
“I love you too. Are you certain?” Errr asked, her leaf like hands clutching the dried stems of her mothers’ watching the way the leaf’s crumbled in her loose grip.
“I am Errr. Go find Tak. Go find life, we are not going to survive here.” She encouraged.
Errr nodded. “Thank you mother. You should come.”
With a soft sad smile, she shook her head. “I’m too brittle and too stubborn to leave. Adventure and change is not something I can tolerate. You have the nimble roots to transplant while you still can. Go.”
“I love you mother.” Errr hugged her carefully.
“Go, it’s almost midnight.” She encouraged embracing her daughter one last time before shoving her towards the only exit of the bunker. “Go quickly.”
Errr mustered up courage and hurried as fast as her little roots could carry her. Finding one of the few silver foiled suit small enough for her, she climbed in, fighting to get all six of her legs inside. Zipping up just as the doors opened. She hurried outside.
The harsh wind and barren landscape stunned her. Trying to ignore everything but the large pulsating gap on the ground she slowly approached the static electricity charged Rift. With unwavering determination, she closed her eyes and ran forward. The ground vanished beneath her legs. Winds buffeted her sideways, noises of screams echoed around her. Squeezing her eyes tight she didn’t dare look until she splashed into something cold and wet then the ground met her.
“DID YOU SEE THAT?” Someone shouted from the deck of the Lake View Resort.
“What was that?”
“In the water!”
“Get a rope!”
Voices filtered in and out as the waves battered Errr on the shore. Faintly aware of her zipping opening, being removed from the suit.
“It’s an Aeanoid. A chibi.”
“Quick! Someone grab Wesley from GoOutSide! Tell him an Aeanoid is hurt! He has some meds!”
“I’m going!” Sarah shouted running across the beach to the store not too far away.
“Stand back!” A deep male voice shouted. “She looks dazed. Isobel, do you have a room?”
“I do.” Isobel frowned. “I’m not a charity.” She warned. “I run a business.”
The fuss and excitement drew crowds from the nearby shops. Takeaway too was drawn from Fantine’s bakery to the waters edge. Watching the commotion with worry and helplessness, unable to offer anything. As the small creature was picked up, Tak’s lone eye widened. “That can’t be Errr?” He muttered, his tendrils’ twisting together. Pushing forward the Riftborn Blob called out. “WAIT!”
Wesley looked over from where he held the small Aeanoid in his arms. “Tak?”
“I think I know her.” Tak called out.
“Then you can pay for her stay.” Isobel snarked.
“Okay. If it will help her. Yes. I can.” Takeaway agreed. “Please Isobel? For a week at least?”
The Resort owner nodded. “A week.” Turning to lead the small group to a central room.
“She’s a plant, she needs sunlight, water and rest.” Tak assured Wesley. “Thank you. For helping her. I can look after her.”
“I’ll let Fantine know where you are.” Wesley nodded leaving the Blob and the Chibi alone.
Tak sat bedside the small wilted Aeanoid. Making sure the natural light was able to shine on her during the day, her roots soaked in a bowl of warm water. Slowly her pale color started to brighten. Her leafy lands uncurling.
“Owww.” Errr moaned softly opening her yellow eyes, gazing up at the strange purple creature that looked like the rift. “What?”
“Who.” Tak’s energy crackled in delight.
“TAK?” Errr jolted up, her roots kicking the bowl of water over with a splash. “Oh no! I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay Errr, you’re here. You’re safe.” Tak assured.
“What happened to you?” Errr asked worried. “Can I touch you?”
Tak chuckled softly. “I am safe to touch.” He hugged her, his energy wrapping around her softly.
Snuggling into the warmth she smiled before pulling back reluctantly. “The Rift really did change you… where… are we?” She asked worried.
“You fell out of the sky and landed in the lake. We are in a place called Veta. You need to rest still. I’ll tell you everything.” Tak started to talk while she eased back into the bed. Listening in awe and amazement of what he experienced.
She spoke of her waiting, the continued decline of their home world. Her mothers’ brittle roots and how she jumped into the Rift.
For days they talked while Errr regained her strength. They talked of the Aeanoids already in Subeta, and how the Rift appeared and was discovered. How Tak came to Subeta and his friends. Until she was able to leave the resort.
“Tak, I owe you so much.” Errr fussed worried.
“No, you are my friend Errr. You need to meet my friends. They helped me, it’s my turn to help someone now. That is you. In time, you’ll help someone else.” Tak assured. “I want to bring you to the gardens first.”
“Gardens?” Errr repeated the word skeptically.
“The public gardens.” Tak brought her to the white picket fenced area, with the beautiful, gated archway guarding the entrance.
Errr gasped in awe. Never had she seen anything so beautiful. Her yellow eyes sparkled; her roots sank into the soft enriched earth. “Tak, I am home.”
