Asking For Directions

Asking for directions

thinkin about giants who are time travelers (in essence or actuality)

Friends (G/t oneshot)

The wooden boat rocked gently as Jacob stretched out his arms and legs. He yawned and stared at the reflection of the moon across the water's slightly rippled surface. Maybe he was crazy. But he swore that he wasn't imagining things. Evenings were his only chance to sneak past his parents and figure out if he remembered that stormy night correctly. He wasn't even allowed to be out on the ocean alone after he nearly drowned. It was a miracle that he managed to survive, considering that he never learned how to swim.

Jacob reached for the box under his seat to retrieve a match so he could re-light his lantern. He was too busy scrambling through the wooden container to notice the ripple of tiny waves approaching his boat. Once he found the pack of matches, he opened the little door on the lantern that held its candle. He struck one of the matches across the matchbox and brought its flame close to the candle's wick.

As Jacob blew out the flame of the match, he heard splashing noises from behind. He slowly turned his head to meet a giant pair of large glowing yellow eyes staring back right at him. He gasped, nearly dropping his lantern.

The creature's head slowly emerged from the water, revealing an enormous humanoid face covered in shiny indigo scales. Fins protruded through his dark teal hair, perking up at the whimpering noises the human made. He watched as the tiny creature stared up at him, scooting to the other end of his boat cowering in fear.

"I-It's you again!"

The sea monster cocked his head and furrowed his brows in confusion.

"You're the one who rescued me several days ago! I knew I wasn't crazy!"

The creature's yellow eyes widened. "So you do remember me."

"I-I didn't think you could talk, heheh..." Jacob laughed nervously upon noticing the sharp teeth in the sea monster's maw as he spoke.

"And I didn't think you'd have the guts to come back here," he responded back sarcastically, now with a look of disappointment. "You barely survived, and you're back so soon? I thought you humans were smart with all the different ways you get through the water."

Jacob frowned. "Hey, I am smart! I just happened to lose one of my paddles because some fish dragged my fishing rod into the ocean, so I couldn't return quickly before the storm got worse. And I couldn't just swim all the way back!"

"'Course. Not with those tiny legs and arms. I suppose you're terrible at fishing too."

"It's not my fault that some stupid fish started dragging my boat all the way to the middle of the lake far away from the shore! How was I supposed to get back right away even if I had both paddles?

"Oh, right. Did this happen to be yours?" The sea monster brought a scaly webbed hand out of the water and dropped a long wooden stick in the human's boat.

"My oar! How did you find it?"

"Aaaand this." He dropped another long object into his boat.

Jacob immediately recognized its blue and silver coloring. "My fishing rod!" He picked it up to find that most of the fishing line was missing. "Wait a second-" he glanced back at the sea monster who now had a mischievous smirk plastered across his face.

He burst out laughing, flailing around in the water. "I will admit, it was pretty hilarious to hear you scream when I pulled you across the water," his movements created waves that caused the human's boat to gently sway.

Blood began to rush through Jacob's face. "It's not funny! I nearly died out there!" He scowled as he grabbed onto the edges of the boat to keep his balance.

"Ahh..." the sea monster sighed and brought finger to wipe a tear from his eye. "But...hey! Everything worked out, right? You're okay now!" His grin curved into a frown after noticing the human slumped down, sulking in his boat. He slowly sank back into the water and glanced down in shame. "Look, I'm sorry about messing around. I realized in the moment that I put you in danger. And I do feel even more bad now when you put it that way." He tilted his head back to look at the crescent moon, revealing gills on the sides of his neck. "So I had to do something about it."

Jacob looked back up at the sea monster. "That's why you saved me?"

The sea monster nodded. "You didn't happen to tell any other humans about me, did you?"

An expression of worry spread across Jacob's face. He did tell his dad about some mysterious creature leaving him on the shore. But the old man only laughed, telling him to not make any more excuses for getting into trouble all the time.

"Uhhh...yes? But no one believed me, I swear! People around here don't believe in sea monsters!"

"Is that what you call us? Sea monsters?" The creature's eyes saddened.

"B-but you're nothing like the stories! People just made that up to scare kids for fun-"

"Oh quit it, I'm messing with ya." The creature gently nudged the human's boat with his tail, causing him to yelp. "If I were a human, I wouldn't fancy myself either and make up silly stories about myself."

Jacob laughed at what the creature had said. He picked up the lantern and watched its flame dance inside. He didn't think he'd find himself talking to some goofy humanoid-fish giant. "Well, I won't tell anyone about you. You did save my life, so consider keeping my mouth shut as my thank you."

"Hmm..." the creature studied the human's face that was illuminated by the dim candlelight. "Rien."

"Huh?"

"Call me Rien. Not 'sea monster' or whatever uncreative names you humans come up with," he said as he raised his hand out of the water motioning two fingers. "What should I call you?"

"And why would you want to know that?"

"We're cool with each other now, right? Friends should know each other's names."

"Since when did you decide we were friends?"

"Since now?"

The human chuckled. "You can call me Jacob-ahh!"

Rien had lifted Jacob's boat out of the water and brought him closer to his enormous face. He giggled in amusement as he watched the human hold onto the boat for dear life. "So it's settled...Jacob. I apologized, and you've made a promise." He brought a finger to lightly poke the human in the chest. "That makes us even."

"How does that make us even when you're the one who caused most of the problems!?"

"You promised to not say a word about me, and I know you humans are such blabber-mouths."

Jacob rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Ehh, it's not difficult for me to do that. No one would've believed me anyways."

"Now that's what I like to hear." Rien placed the boat back in the water. "I suppose we'll meet here again tomorrow, same time?"

Jacob shakily stood back up in the boat so he could grab both of his oars. "Didn't you just mock me for coming back?"

"Well, yes. But it would be even more stupid if you didn't return to visit your new friend." The fins on the side of Rien's head drooped. "It gets lonely out here..."

Jacob looked across the ocean where the sky met the horizon. "Isn't there supposed to be more of you out there?"

Rien was silent. Jacob took that as a no. He didn't consider coming back again unless he was still trying to find out whether or not he imagined his rescue. "I suppose I could. I don't have much to do at home anyways."

Rien's eyes lit up and he swam up closer to Jacob. "Really?" He grinned, revealing pointy teeth.

"Yeah!" Jacob winced, but grinned back and nodded.

"Well, see you tomorrow!" The sea creature submerged himself back into the water, his dreads of long hair trailing behind him.

Jacob leaned over the side of the boat to see if Rien was still there. But the ocean only appeared pitch black. He let out a huge sigh and collapsed in the boat. It'd take some time to get used to Rien, being ten times bigger and a little scary, but there was something charming about his personality that made him feel more at ease.

Rien just needed a friend. Perhaps Jacob did as well.

Hi! So I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted actual writing & not just me rambling. The reason for this is that I’ve been going through some serious writers block recently which has been veryyyyy difficult to overcome. I will hopefully post more soon, but it’s not 100% rn. :[

I also wanna quickly credit my irl bestie Soldier Blade who was basically my beta for this. I couldn’t have done it without you :]

Based off of this prompt

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Fledgling Part 1

Drahoslava. The almighty dragon who ruled the great mountains of Rosewood, who was said to either protect those who entered her domain, or to destroy them when they entered. The legend that had caused many to steer clear of the towering peaks she called home. That was how she liked it; the lands untainted by humans, inhabited instead by the mystical creatures of the woodlands & wild plants that bloomed with more colour than one can imagine. This unnerved humans, the unknown of what was beyond the peaks. So they built walls to shield themselves from the mythical, to keep themselves safe. Nobody went past the borders, nor did anybody go inside.

 So you can imagine her surprise when she sensed two humans in her lair, an adult knight & an infant.

She narrowed her sharp, amethyst eyes from behind the spiny stalagmites as they limped inside, a small trail of blood following the knight's staggering steps. The knight carried a ragged bundle close to his armoured chest, likely where the infant was. As silent as the night itself, she approached from behind, the shadows blending with her raven-coloured scales. The human paused, looking around for the threat before spotting her in the shadows.

    Without a second to waste, she emerged from her cover, her large stature towering over his. She could see him tense, his body ever so slightly shaking from fear as he stood his ground. Draho was proud to see that she was still as terrifying as she’d been during her younger years, with her midnight colored horns & scales that sent fear into the most brave souls.

    “Do you have no self preservation, human? You know what they say happens to idiotic little knights who attempt to challenge me.” She sneered, looking down at him from the pile of rocks she stood on. He swallowed audibly, his grip on the bundle tightening ever so slightly. She smiled sinisterly, her senses prepared for the fight that would likely come. Draho stepped forward, ready for whatever plan this knight ha-

    “Please take care of her.” He pleaded, desperation & hope evident in his voice. She stepped back, startled by the outburst. “T-this is the safest place she can go. I do not want her to end up like the others..” He rasped, gently bringing the child forward. She looked past the cloth, & there was the infant's face. She had warm, copper skin that was slightly flushed at the cheeks & eyes, as if to indicate she had been crying. Though, she slept peacefully in his arms, completely unbothered. Draho studied the child, her amethyst eyes narrowed in thought. Drahoslava had expected a battle, not begging to take care of an infant. 

    “I’m not sure I understand…” She muttered, not wanting to wake the baby. Her gaze moved to the knight, who held her with care & gentleness she previously saw unfit for humans. He looked up at her, large teary blue eyes shining with hope & begging. Draho surveyed him, noticing the wound that was continuing to bleed sluggishly, the exhaustion that fought to knock him over, his unkempt russet hair that was messily tied back out of his eyes. Overall, all she could feel sympathy replacing the previous malice that she was used to. The knight cleared his throat, snapping the dragon out of her musings.

    “I- The kingdom of Jacaranda was invaded by King Lucius. He ordered his guards to kill all the members of the royal family, including her…” His voice cracked as he said this, small tears beginning to cascade down his pale face. “I was ordered to kill her, &-& I couldn’t do it. She’s barely seen what the world has to offer, & I just- I don’t want to take away a life that's too young to even speak, let alone be a threat.” Draho felt her heart drop at the notion, but before she could speak, he continued. “I doubt I will last much longer, so I beg that you take her, or else she will di-”

    “What's her name?” She interjected, looking back at the infant. His gaze dropped down to the bundle in his arms. 

    “Serenity.” He responded, a small smile creeping onto his face. A smile that showed nothing but adoration & care. A smile with love that Draho recognized when her young had hatched all those years ago. The dragon sighed softly, dreading the reaction that would come of her decision. She knew it was slightly cruel, but she had no choice.

    “What is your name? I cannot keep calling you “The knight” now can I?” She joked humorlessly, feeling guilt seep into her mind. The knight seemed surprised by the question, yet straightened subconsciously as he introduced himself.

    “I am Sir Nathan Del, though I would prefer you called me Nathan.” He chuckled nervously, hestitance replacing the fondness he had earlier. Draho looked at him with eyes full of pity. She didn’t like what she was about to say, but it had to be done. Sucking in a breath, she began to speak.

    “Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Nathan, but I’m afraid I cannot take care of Serenity,” she paused, pointedly ignoring how his face fell with anguish. She would be lying if she said she didn’t feel the slightest bit of satisfaction from that. Old grudges are hard to get rid of, she supposed. “I have already fostered many fledglings of my own. My time as a mother is over, & for that I am truly sorry.” She concluded. Nathan didn’t respond, only stood there, face pale from fear & disappointment. 

    “I- Miss Drahoslava- Serenity has nowhere else to go! I will be unable to make the trek back down & even if I do then I won’t be able to outrun the guards &-” He continued to ramble, his breath breaking into short gasps. Draho felt bile rise in her throat as she watched him hyperventilate, his legs becoming noticeably more & more unsteady until they fell beneath him.

    Without missing a beat, Draho scooped he & Serenity up into her arms before they had landed on the stone floors of her home. She felt something warm & sticky drip onto her limbs, & the sharp metallic smell of blood permeated around the cavern. Turning him over, she saw the previously sluggish wound was now bleeding rapidly. Without thinking, she manoeuvred them to a secure position on her back.Though it was rather uncomfortable, she ventured into the heart of the mountain with her newest companions.

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If y’all like this I can make it a series, which goes true to my other fics lol.

Without further ado, have a great day/night! :D

Tinies would be so much help in a garden

I've been thinking about this for a while now. Anytime I'm weeding in a flower bed or vegetable garden I think about this. A lot of times there are these large patches of little clover or oxalis sprouts that are just so small and close to the ground that you have to use the very tips of your fingers to get them up. If you pinch your fingers too far you risk cutting through the stem with your fingernails and a lot of weeds are stubborn enough that those little hair-like roots left behind are enough to regrow from. Just tilling them up isn't usually enough either because they'll typically just take root again if you leave them on the ground after uprooting them. The worst part is you usually just have to resign yourself to having to go over it again a few days later bc you know you probably only got about half of them.

Just imagine a tiny/borrower helping a farmer/gardener with their chores. The tiny would be able to get all the little ones easily while the farmer works on bigger more stubborn weeds. A little helper that can help find weeds growing under the low branches of shrubs would be a godsend. It doesn't stop at weeding either.

Anyone who has had a larger vegetable garden knows that a good chunk of time spent harvesting is just trying to find what's ripe (especially things like tomatoes or cucumbers). I usually end up folded in half with my head stuck in a mess of vines or branches, sometimes gently shaking the plant, because maybe I'll catch a glimpse of something. A tiny that could just walk underneath it all and call out where the ripe crops are, and it would probably cut the time in half.

Honestly I could go on for a while. Tinies could help sow some of the itty-bitty seeds that are really hard to pick up a specific number of, like lettuce or poppies. Being small enough to see the undersides of leaves would make catching pests or fungal infections early a breeze. Most of this would result in fewer chemicals being needed meaning minimal harm to pollinators and the watershed. I also love the idea of a farmer striking a deal with a borrower colony they find living in their house where the borrowers get to harvest what they please in exchange for help in the garden.

If I had the time and the talent maybe I'd write something with this idea, but I knew I wanted to just put this out there in some capacity. I don't think I've ever seen this done before. If anyone wants to use this as a prompt or something go for it, just tag me (I wanna see).