As the screen before them played static, Penguin poked at the Cameko, muttering things two inches from it’s face. When he didn’t get the reaction he wanted, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a leaf, waving it in front of the snail, trying to entice it to work. Or something. Shachi didn’t know. Or care, really.
He sighed and sank deeper into his chair, leaving his partner to his own devices for now. Their herbalist wasn’t going to like the fact that Penguin no doubt ripped that thing off of a plant without permission. Should he report that?
He should report that. Even if it was a simple leaf.
The snail made no effort to reach for the green. Which was odd, considering it’s large appetite. It seemed to droop, an action made more noticeable when it’s eye stalks lowered and averted Penguin’s eyes.
Shachi opened his mouth to defend the poor thing, but before he could speak, static filled the space between them.
“Yooo,” even if it was just grumbled noise, Penguin seemed pleased with the response. “Yooooooo!” He grabbed the transmitter and held it up to his mouth, but paused for a moment. He looked at Shachi. “...What’d it say?”
“I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Why weren’t you paying attention? You’re supposed to be paying attention!”
“This was your idea, dude.” Shachi sank even deeper into his chair. “The captain isn’t going to be happy that you’re using the Den Den Mushi just because you’re bored. What if a Marine picks up?”
Inappropriate use of any and all Den Den Mushi aboard the ship had to be reported to the captain himself. The captain’s quarters was a long walk from the control room though. And he was probably busy.
And it was Shachi’s watch. He was guilty by association at this point, anyway.
“Just say something,” he said. “Go nuts.”
And with that, Penguin turned his attention back to the snail. It had began munching on the leaf, looking slightly better than it had been a moment ago. His partner cracked a smile Shachi was sure no one could see.
“So,” he drawled. “How you guys doing?”
It wasn’t long before he got a response. Clearer this time.
“I don’t think we’re lost! Shachi’s driving though, so I don’t know. Hopefully we don’t crash or anything.” When Shachi didn’t respond to this, Penguin carried on, “I think the snail was feeling sick or something. It’s working now though, I think, so it’s all good!”
“...Can you see me?” he asked. “Is this—maybe the eyes are broken. Or something. I don’t know. How’s it going? The inbox is open.”
“Hey—we have a connection! Shachi, dude, it says we made a connection! We made it through to some people. They hear us! Dude!!!
The connection’s still kinda funky though, apparently. I don’t know. Are the eyes? broken?? What’s wrong with it??? I broke it???? But—the audio still works, I guess. That’s what really matters, right?
...Right?
Anyways, uh. You guys can still hear me, right? I’m not quite sure how much of this you’re getting...
The inbox is open, I guess? Some of you made it through but, like, it isn’t very clear. You can still hear me, right? Does this work even underwater? Hello??”
“...Hey, uh. Is—is this thing on? Fuck. Shachi, I—I think I broke it. Dude. Dude, it’s—is this thing on? Hello?? Can anyone hear me???
Okay, well, listen—I don’t know if you can hear me or not, or whatever. I don’t even know if this is even on...but hey! Let me know if you’re getting this or not.
