Chapter Text
CHAPTER I
It was a stormy afternoon in the King’s land, rather odd for a day in the midst of summer. But it wasn’t a problem for the captain. They’d prepared to launch this ship in the hottest afternoons or the snowiest of nights, whatever it was this ship was going to sail!
Who was this captain you may ask? Well, they were none other than the Fredrickson’s child.
They weren’t of the Hodgkin species, being an adopted child of the Hodgkin, but a child of his nonetheless.
At a young age they were told the tales of the Ocean Orchestra (misspelled Oshun Oxtra) along with its crew, the Muddler, the Mymble, the Moomin, and the Joxter. Not to mention their father himself, Fredrickson.
As bedtime tales they’d hear these almost fairytale-like stories from the captain of the Ocean Orchestra and had longed to set foot on that ship themself.
“One day, my dear child.” Fredrickson had always chimed. He was building an even grander Amphibian ship, one that would not only work on land, sea, and sky, but one that could take its crew to space. “You’ll be the first childling on the Moon, I’ll make sure of that.” He promised every night. “You might even meet the Hobgoblin one day.” But that day never came, as their dearest father had left this world with nothing but the blueprints to the newest Ocean Orchestra. They had vowed that someday they would build a ship as grand, no, even grander than the Ocean Orchestra and make their father proud.
They’d set sail on adventures on new land, make new friends, and carve their own path. But of course, what was a ship without its crew? And they knew just who to tag along on their quest for adventure.
“Young [Name], it’s been so long since I’ve had this much excitement on this land, much longer since the last Ocean Orchestra.” The King chimed.
“Well just you wait, your majesty! Once I return from my adventure, I’ll bring you a tale from the moon you’ve never heard of before.”
“I have no doubts.” The King laughed. “You’re headed for Moominvalley, are you not?”
“Yes, I am your majesty.” They wrapped a scarf around their neck and opened the door to the new Ocean Orchestra. “It took a while, a lot of strings pulled, but I managed to find out about the children of my father’s friends.”
“Ah, yes, of course! What would be the Ocean Orchestra without friends.” The King rubbed his wrinkled chin. “And who might this crew consist of?” The captain adjusted their boots while remembering the names of the folks they sought out.
“Well, there’s of course Sniff, the son of the Muddler. Then there’s Moomin, the son of Moomintroll. Little My, the daughter of Mymblemama and her sister too. And finally, oh, what’s his name again?” They paused to think. “Ah, yes. Snufkin, son of the Joxter and Mymblemama.” Excitement twinkled in their eyes.
“Sounds like quite the crew you have going on.” The King chimed, as he reached out for a bottle of red wine from one of his servants. “While it was tradition to smash a bottle of liquor on a new ship, I think it’s best I give it to you, for a celebration with your crew once you meet.” He handed the bottle to the captain.
“I am grateful for His majesty’s generosity.” They bowed. “If you’ll excuse me, I must be off before the sun rises. It’s time to take the Ocean Orchestra on its first adventure.” A smile of pride plastered itself across [Name]'s face.
“Farewell then, Captain [Name]!” The King bid his farewell.
“Until next time, your highness!” They closed the door and sealed it shut. They made their way down several hallways; you’d think that a ship such as this was much too big for one to handle. No problem though, this ship was designed with convenience in mind, all the controls and engines easily accessible in one room.
They had opened the door to said room and found their hat on the ship’s wheel.
There was a sense of melancholy felt as they picked up the hat. Hodgekins had crafted this hat to fit perfectly on the captain of the Ocean Orchestra, whoever it may be. [Name] had been looking forward to the day it would be able to fit on their head since they were small. And they put it on.
“Oh-” They exclaimed. It was a little... big on them. “Not a problem, I think.” They tipped the hat a little further back on the crown of their head to sit better.
The hat didn’t fit just right yet.