Chapter Text
Field trips were supposed to be fun! Get away from the boring classroom, and learn new things in a more hands on way. It should be exciting! Especially, when the class field trip was to the Gardenview Museum.
But... you couldn't help but feel the weight of glum push on your tiny shoulders. One of the Toons guided you through the aquarium. Goob, a Toon known for his infectious cheer, pulled the other kids attention expertly. Gasping along with him as he pointed out fish. Making up silly stories about what they could be thinking.
"Wooooow! Look at that big guy, kids! That one's uh... uh hmmmm?" He tapped his chin in thought. "Oh no, I forgot! Can anyone remember what fish that is?"
Their voices clashed together as they all answered at once. "Tuna!"
"Huh? I can't hear you?" The kids laughed as Goob tilted his head curiously. One paw cupped the side of his head, leaning slightly down to the kids level. "What was that?"
"TUNA!"
"Oooooooh! Why didn't you guys just say that?"
...
Cheer only made that feeling worse.
You dragged your feet, lagging behind the rest of your class. No one noticed. Not your classmates, or your teachers, or the fluffy craft. Too busy laughing and excitedly pointing at the fish swimming behind the thick glass.
They came upon a long arch of a hallway. All glass. The dream like light filtered through the water, shimmering around the fish as they swam.
Goob gasped dramatically. "Wow! Look! It's a shark!" One rounded claw stretched up closer to the glass, pointing to it. The shark's much bigger mass casted a shadow over their faces. Shrill excited screams echoed off the glass. Your classmates pressed their faces to the glass as the shark swam over the arch and down to glide along the sand. Out of your sight.
A part of you wanted to push past the others to get a better look, but... what was the point? Being squished together with that many kids only overwhelmed you. Not to mention you really didn't want to have to address your classmates. No, it's better back here.
You turned to the other side of the hallway. There was still cool fish here. You watched the massive school of little fish loop in circles, over and over. You wondered it any of those little guys felt like the other fish didn't like them. Do fish have feelings? They must... whatever they're called?
A sting ray caught your eye as it glided down into view. It ruffled through fluttering kelp, and- wait? What's that hiding in the base of the kept?
You could just see it as the artificial waves swept up the long leaves. Like a little orange ball? Was it a fish? You leaned closer to the glass, inspecting whatever it was intensely. Then a pair of eyes blinked back at you. This random staring contest dragged on for a few moments. It definitely wasn't a fish. Fish didn't have eyes like that! Like it was really looking at you! At least you've never seen one like that.
Your little fists clutched the straps of your backpack. Maybe you should go with the other kids after all? Just before you could take a step back limbs sprouted from the kelp. Fingers, and feet, like yours! Well, almost, that thing had webs between each finger, stretching to the first knuckle. And it wasn't from the kelp itself!
Wait! It was- "Shrimpo." You gasped softly. Little hands reached out to him, pressing to the glass. He laid on his back, glossy limbs stretching lazily. The Toon didn't seem in any hurry to greet you. A big yawn fluttering the gills on the side of his neck. In a move that looked like it sapped more energy from him than it should, his head lulled to the side. With those eyes on you again you couldn't help the surge of excitement traveling through your limbs. You just needed to move, to scream! All that could come out was another exclamation of his name.
Shrimpo simply nodded up. Bubbles fluttered and popped around his frowning mouth. Whatever he said you couldn't possibly hear, but it couldn't have been more than one word.
Somehow you pushed passed the gittery overwhelm to wave at him. One hand just barely lifted off his stomach in response. He just layed their, arms coming to cusion the back of his head. In the long moments you stared in awe you hadn't noticed the noises of your class slowly begin to fade.
It was only when the voice of the fluff craft called down the hall did you come back to your surroundings. "Hey, kiddo? Come on, we're going to see the jellyfish!" Your class was maybe 10 feet away. Goob was standing among the excited children. When you made no move to come closer he skipped over, saying something to your teacher over his shoulder. "You don't wanna get los-" He gasped when his eyes landed on the Toon behind the glass. "Oh! You found Shrimpo!" He giggled, waving to the other Toon. "Heya Shrimpoooo!"
By now Shrimpo sat up. He scowled at the jolly craft. An eyeroll was the only response to his greeting. Hehe! He was just like the show!
Goob didn't take it to heart. A large paw ruffled your hair. "Alright let's go, kiddo!"
A pout pushed your lips. Eyes lingered on the shrimp Toon, who eyed you suspiciously. "B-but..." Your head hung low, nervous, and ashamed. "I wanna... w-wanna see Shrimpo..."
Goob hummed in thought. "I know, but I promise you can see him more later!" He leaned down to you level to whisper, a paw covering his mouth from Shrimpo's gaze. "I know exactly where he's going to be today so you can suprise him!"
"R-really?"
"Mhm!"
Shrimpo seemed to get even more mad just from seeing Goob giggle.
"Let's say goodbye to Shrimpo, for now? Okay?"
You nodded sadly.
The two of you waved goodbye before rejoining the group.