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Inv, the dark blue slugcat has been through hell and back, but now, it's time to atone for his sins in his past cycles.
He must find a mate or die.
He heads for southeast, hoping for alternative path that gives different results
It stands in between the land of waste and ruins and the large body of water that stretches to the horizon.
He searches around for a little while and find a large dilapidated ship that has been beached on the shore.
Inv could make multiple guesses of how this ship got here but for now it seems to be a suitable home for him to rest.
Before he could get close, he catches a glimpse of a creature with blonde hair and brown backpack walking by the ruined deck.
He hides behind a boulder before the creature could spot him as it heads inside. He's never seen this creature before, his interest is piqued.
Using the nearby spears he climbs up the deck by stabbing the ship’s wall to follow the creature.
Inside the ship Inv could smell the mold eating away the metals and wood.
It doesn't take long until he hears humming, Inv checks the hallway and find the creature plucking bluefruits from the overgrown walls and putting it in his backpack.
He approach him with caution, unsure if this creature is a friend or foe.
When Inv right behind him, he clears his throat and say hello.
“Stranger danger!” The human yelps pulling out a knife and slashing at Inv, almost hitting him but he luckily steps back.
“Oh no! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to attack you!” The human gasps when he sees Inv as he quickly puts the knife away.
“its ok i dodged it” He reassures the human that all is well.
“Woah I never thought I’d meet another slugcat here! A pretty looking one too!” He looks at the slugcat with awe and marvel making Inv feel kinda honored.
“ive never seen a creature like u before, wat r u?” Inv say to him as he pokes the human in the forehead
“Why I’m a human! One of the last few unfortunately.” He says with a somber look on his face but it lights up once again. "Call me Chef!"
“how did u survive then” Inv raises an eyebrow
“I have a slugcat that keeps me safe and accompanies me! Would you like to meet him?” Before Inv can say anything Chef calls out. “Oh Traveller!~”
Thunderous footsteps echo throughout the halls of the ship. As Chef waits with anticipation while Inv shakes nervously.
Before Inv, appears a blue colored slugcat holding a spear on his right hand.
He has a mean look on his face as he approaches Inv and Chef
“Sup Chef, this loser giving you trouble?” He growls and clutches his spear tightly.
Inv raises his hand. “o no handsome im not looking for trouble!”
“What are you here for then?” He says to Inv, remaining cautious as he takes Chef and places his hand on Chef's shoulder protectively.
Inv giggles as he places his hands on his own cheeks and say. “im lookin for love~”
Traveller and Chef have a shared reaction of surprise.
"Well you wont find one here in this ship all there is are mold, spiders, and salamanders. We are currently trying to repair it."
"But that is pretty respectable though, to look for love in this harsh world." Chef says with a smile as he places his hand on his chest.
"i wont have to look for long cus i alr found u~" Inv winks
Traveller turns to Inv as if Inv had just said something offensive. Traveller gets angry as he turns around.
"Umm no thanks. Chef come on, we're leaving this loser."
Inv begins to panic, this is his only chance to redeem himself.
"no wait pls! gimme another chance!" Inv calls out desperately
Chef looks at Inv with pity before placing a hand on Traveller's shoulder to stop him. "Traveller I think he means well, come on."
"But Chef, I do not want relationship!" Traveller snaps at both Chef and Inv.
"y not?" Inv slowly approaches Traveller who's body is shaking.
"Because... Because!" Traveller continues to growl aggressively but he's struggling to form sentence, struggling to keep up this angry facade.
"because ur afraid of getting hurt? ur afraid of losing the one u love?" Inv approaches Traveller as he places his paw on his shoulder.
Traveller bares his teeth for a few seconds before his ears and tail droop down. His expression shifting from anger to sadness.
Inv slowly moves his hand from Traveller's shoulder to his cheeks.
"so u pretend to be this moody slugcat in order to appear strong, brave, and push people away"
"because deep down u are actually the most scared and u fear that being vulnerable will get u hurt again."
Traveller couldn't help but slowly tear up as if his mask had just been ripped away, revealing his true form as a scared and vulnerable slugcat.
Inv wipes the tears away from his cheek.
"its ok bb, part of love is getting hurt. its what makes those tender moments shine so brightly. so pls give it a chance again."
Traveller still has an uncertain look on his face, but slowly he is getting convince. He turns to Chef to seek his approval.
Chef happily gives a thumbs up. "Hey I support it! Love who you love man! Woot!"
With that approval, Traveller smiles as he plants a kiss in Inv's cheek
Inv takes Traveller's hand and looks at him in the eyes as the sunlight shines through the window, illuminating the two and making them feel like they're glowing.
Inv feels happy as if he's finally fulfilled something in his life.
Traveller breaks away for a moment and says. "First though we need to repair this ship. Then we can all set sail somewhere."
"if i help u repair this ship will u go out on a date with me?" Inv winks causing Traveller to blush and Chef to grin.
"Well.. what about my friend Chef..?" Traveller turns to the human.
"he can join and make food for us!" Inv giggles.
"Oh why, I'd be honored to be the guest chef on this gay ass date" He chuckles heartily.
Inv takes out the egg he's been carrying around and gives it to Chef.
Chef lights up. "Oh my world, this is perfect!"
"Do you have any idea what this is?" Chef takes the egg and admires it deeply.
"it egg."
"Yes and this will finally solve everything."
Chef runs into the boiler room of the ship, Traveller and Inv follows him.
"This shall make for a good fuel for the ship, even if it's in horrible condition!"
"oh i wanted u to cook it but ok ig that works"
Chef opens the boiler and deposits the egg inside the machine. The egg ruptures as the inside of the boiler begins to warp.
Machines hums to life as the ship gets powered to life once again by the void contained within the egg.
The ship begins to rock violently before they all hear a loud boom outside.
Inv and Traveller hold their hands tightly, unsure on what's going on.
Chef however remains excited and enthusiastic. "Yes.. YES!"
The trio decide to head outside the deck to check what's going on, only to find that the ship they're in is now flying away after being powered by the egg.
Standing by the railings, they see the lands grow smaller and smaller as they leave the place behind.
Inv doesn't know where this ship will take them three but he knows that their future is bright if he at least has Traveller and Chef with him.
He places his hand on Traveller's on the railings "hey bb, so about that date."
"Oh yeah! Alright let's find a suitable area here in this ship." Traveller leaps with joy
"Let me set up the oven in the kitchen, you'll love what I have in mind!" Chef snaps his finger
With that the trio head back inside the ship as it flies away into the sunset.
