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Cromdo Face, despite all appearances, was in fact a father. It was just that they didn’t want him in their life.
Considering his past, and the rocky relationship they had growing up with him always being away with whatever scheme he had involved himself with at the time, alongside his dead-end job working at some small scale convenience store, it was not any surprise to him that they cut all contact with him almost ten years ago now.
They’d be in their mid-thirties now. How many important things had he missed because of his situation? Too many to count.
Some father he was, eh? He hung his No. 1 Dad tie up again, letting out a rather morose sigh. Father’s Day was coming up soon, and he had nothing to celebrate. Everyone he knew had separated himself from him following one measly charge against him.
Not that he liked most of them, anyway, but… His kid was the only reason he kept going for a long while.
“Eh, grumpin’ hell… What am I doin’ with my life?” He questioned, still staring at his tie. “I gotta do somethin’ worthwhile while I can.”
That could wait until tomorrow, though.
It had been a few weeks since then when he saw it. Elizabert Megafig, an apparent explorer, more like a con artist, talking to a live audience on some talk show.
“I’m offering anyone with the skillset an opportunity to come with me on an expedition of a lifetime! Your dreams could be fulfilled, your big break could come through, it’s an excellent opportunity! All this, and whatever else you can reach for, on Snaktooth Island!”
“All right, that’s enough free advertising, Mrs Megafig, we’ve got a schedule to keep and there’s probably a law somewhere against that.” The host shot down, causing the audience to crack up in laughter.
He never liked that host, anyway. Too much of a control freak. Still, Lizbert’s opportunity could be just what he needed. His big break, in her words.
“Ah, what the grump, it’s not like anything else in my life’s important anymore.” He sighed. “Now, how to get in contact with an estranged “explorer”...”
He was gonna have his paws full for the next few weeks.
Beffica Winklesnoot had it out for him. He did nothing wrong, and she jumped him, accusing him of “stealing”, the snivelling little grumpling. It wasn’t like that projector was gonna get any use anyway. The little coward ran off before he could mince her, though, meaning his only option to leave town before he got kicked out anyway.
He wound up hunkering down at the top of the Scorched Gorge, in front of some rickety bridge that looked like it would break from even the lightest grumpus. He wasn’t going to risk his neck for what was just sand, anyway. Nothing out there beyond some ruins or whatever.
He looked at his collection of knick-knacks he had brought over from the mainland, catching sight of a rather familiar tie. Memories flooded in of the many hours he worked just to ensure that his kid had a comfortable living. Yeah, he wasn’t there often for them, but they had their mother, anyway. He wasn’t real father material, the least he could do was keep them happy.
They didn’t agree, though. No one did. At the end of the day, all he really had was his business knowledge, and how to make a profit. Not that it really had much use here, beyond using Bugsnax.
Some big break.
“...All. By. Your. Self!” He snarled from behind his stall. Winklesnoot just scoffed, rolling her eyes.
“Whatever, at least then I wouldn’t have to hear your slimy voice!” She turned her nose up at him, before walking off in a huff.
The little brat just thought she knew everything, huh? Clearly, she wasn’t raised right. He sighed, ducking behind his stall to sort out his wares out of habit. A stress reliever, he supposed.
… Beffica confused him. She claimed that she didn’t care about what others thought, yet at the same time, she was always snooping around, trying to find whatever dirty laundry she could get her grubby paws on. It wasn’t like she was well-liked anyway, it wasn’t any secret.
Like him, as well, barely tolerated by everyone else. At least he didn’t go digging through everyone’s baggage though. All it was to him, at the end of the day, was business. It wasn’t his fault that his deals were often skewed in his favour, that was just how the world worked. A cutthroat, cold place where the ones with the money called the shots.
It was a harsh wake-up call for him the day he realised that, but he was adaptable. It was a shame nothing worked out for him in the end, no matter how much he tried. Maybe he’d still be in contact with his kid if things went well for him while they grew up.
Wishful thinking, but he had all the time in the world now that he was stranded here.
Everything happened so quickly. Snorpy or whatever his name was had hooked up that journalist with some form of tracker, which allowed everyone to listen in on Lizbert’s confession and explanation. In the back of his head, he wondered if he went and bugged his stall when he wasn’t looking, but that didn’t matter now. Not when they had left that mess of an island, after fighting for their lives.
Beffica, surprisingly, had huddled up next to him after everything had gone down. He took a seat next to her, back against the railing and an arm wrapped around her. Everyone was drained after everything, including himself. He was better off than most of them, but it was still rather discomforting to see the mood so low. Beffica had essentially shut down, eyes blank as she leaned against him.
He didn’t say anything, merely keeping his hold on her as they left the island. Everyone just kept to themselves, trying to process things as they stared down at the inferno that was Snaktooth.
Things weren’t gonna be easy after this, were they? He glanced down at his mess of a body, feeling a shiver run through him at the sight of his many mismatched colours. This is what his view of the world did to him. What everything that made him as cynical as he was.
For the first time in a long time, he felt disgusted with himself.
It wasn’t often Cromdo managed to turn himself around. The last time that happened was way back in his twenties when he had found the love of his life at the time. Because of her, he managed to make something of himself, before the many problems that came with a grumpling reared their head. Not that they could be blamed, it was just how it worked.
When you have a kid, you lose your own life to keep them going. He supposed Gramble would see that as a positive.
Lucky grump.
A year or so after everything, he had finally scrounged the funds together to buy an empty building in the city and had turned it into his own little karaoke bar. It wasn’t terribly busy, but it was enough to keep him afloat.
For once, he didn’t mind that. He was doing something to enjoy the last years of his life, and finally finding happiness that wasn’t from monetary value.
Beffica was one of the regulars, although she didn’t usually order anything too heavy. It was fine though, she had more than made up for it with her singing every time she came in. Plus, she’d really mellowed out in the last year.
“So, what’re you plannin’ on doin’ now that you’ve recovered?” He asked while wiping at a glass. “You got any work opportunities?”
“Yeah, I got something in mind. Thinking of getting back into photography, maybe a for hire service, weddings, things like that. It’s not the most stable, but, whatevs, I can get a part time job as well.” She put her head on a paw, smiling a bit. “How’s things here? Any rowdy customers?”
“Nah, everyone’s keepin’ themselves behaved. Part of our top-tier service.” He grinned, playing it up. “And, hey… If you’re ever needin’ a job, I could hire ya as a waitress. I’m thinkin’ of expanding my culinary stuff, and I could use the help if you’re willin’.”
“What, you can cook?” She looked surprised.
“Hah, no! It’s just gonna be some cheap stuff, it’s not meant to be the selling point.” He looked to where some business looking grump was drunkenly singing away. “Besides, it’s the regulars that keep me goin’. It’s just an extra bit of cash.”
“Oh, you sly devil.” She grinned. “Well, I’ll think about it. I’ll call if I’m interested.”
He nodded, placing down the glass in front of her. “Now, ya orderin’ anythin’?”
“Oh, the usual.” She sat up. “No ice this time, too cold for that.”
“Comin’ right up.” He said, turning around to the selection.
Things were looking up now. Yeah, he still couldn't see his kid, but... It wasn't like he was alone anymore, anyway.