Ohhh I missed this! I offer these options, choose which please you! C:
💧Character crying
Fjord, based on a particular scene we talked about👀
👩👩👧👦Character with their family members
Loqua and her daughters, perhaps?
🌼Character with symbolic flower(s) for Zalfe!
💧Character crying
Decades later and you still aren't capable of saving your friends from monsters, Fjord.
👩👩👧👦Character with their family members
(From left to right we have Daelu, Derle, Zalfe, Loqua, Caspia, Tilda, Ilnu, and Lyrova)
Loqua love's all her babies and grandbabies but her older two's gossipy nature drives her mad!
🌼Character with symbolic flower(s) for Zalfe!
While Crysanthemums are tied to friendship, truth, and affection the flower itself is also a symbol in death symbolizing lost love and great grief when mourning.
(Featuring Cironus @tides-that-bind-us and Danmalaak @this-rock-floats)
Once the sun had started to set, bathing the isles in beautiful pink light and purple shadows, Zalfe started to lead the group down the mountainside towards the beach they had first made landfall on. As they walked, she hummed a tune to herself absentmindedly.
The second her foot touched the soft sands, an idea seemed to click in her head as she snapped to a more alert attention, "Oh, right, since this is your first time visiting the Amphitheater, we should mark you guys!" She said with a snap of her fingers before darting into a nearby hut, only to quickly return moments later with several clay pots.
She eyed the two up and down, clearly thinking something over before opening two of the pots. She picked up one with her left hand and walked over to Cironus, where she proceeded to dunk her fingers into the paint inside before drawing a swirled pattern along his head, arms, back, and chest. Repeating the same patterns with a different color on Danmalaak.
"So with these markings, we're signaling to everyone in the Amphitheatre that we are there for friendly socialization and tonight's paint tag game and not looking for romantic advances since you are first timers. Paint tag is a team game where you are put on teams where your paint matches your glow. Usually, the goal of the game is to obscure others' patterns with paint. The team least covered in paint wins the prize! Since you two do not have biolum markings like us, we paint those on to make it a little fairer since the game's played at night! The patterns I drew on your arms and backs are to let everyone know you are first-time guests and to remind them to mind their manners!"
"Now I'll let you guys choose if you wanna paint your hips or legs and mark them as target zones. But if you don't want to participate in the game since it's your first night and you'd rather just chat and watch from the sidelines without someone running up to slap their paint-covered hands on you, just paint a big ol' X on your chest. I'd use a spiral if you wish to play, but wanna make it clear you are only here for the game and no romantic advances."
"Cironus, I chose blue for you because, based on what I've seen so far, you just read more like a Mi glow to me. And Danmalaak, you are yellow because your curiosity makes me see you more like a So glow! I'm on team La, which is those of us with Orange glows." She smiled as she handed them the pots. "There will be massive jugs of your team's paint already set up in the amphitheatre, but best to get painted up beforehand." She said, painting an orange spiral on her chest.
"Honestly, paint tag is one of the best ice breaker games we have. There's no pressure, just friendly competition and play! Plus a tasty treat and bragging rights if your team wins! Tonight's treat is Candied Titan Jellies. They are very chewy and very sweet! Kids usually go nuts for them. Anywho! Race you there!" Zalfe smiled as she sealed her paint pot and tied it to her hip before bolting off into the water, swimming toward Ampetheatre Rock.
As the trio approached the small circling island, one noticeable thing was that this Island of the Isles was entirely a sheer cliff face with no discernible way to climb up. But it seemed the outside wasn't the intended entrance as Zalfe led them to a low archway that was just barely visible above the water, with the rest sunken with the current tide.
The archway served as a doorway to a tunnel filled with glowing murals of Zorphins swimming and playing, and multiple pairs of handprints placed by what must have been couples or friends making hearts and other shapes and swirls on the rock. Clearly, it was constantly redone every generation or so, as some parts of the stone seemed stained from generations of paint being applied and eventually washed away with the tide.
The tunnel opened up into a massive, hollow cavern with deep water below, filled with glowing light, with a large central shaft that opened up to the night sky above, where the moon shone brightly. The walls of this hollow chamber seemed to have been chiseled out over generations to form stairways, seating areas, and flat areas to relax out of the water, and every area of rock had some form of painting or prints left from generations of Zorphins painting in the area.
Despite Zalfe saying that only a fraction of the megapod was here during the summer, the Ampetheater was buzzing with a few hundred Zorphin either chattering, singing, or exploding out of the water in games of chase, all excitedly waiting for the real game of the evening to begin. There were a couple of recognizable faces from members of Zalfe's pod, like Fjord, Vrelu, her siblings and Sahbi.
"The Amphitheater can fit about...hmmm, 2,000 of us comfortably if we're splashing around like hooligans. Come winter, this place is a madhouse, haha." Zalfe chittered as she pulled herself up onto a flat resting platform "So be glad you are getting the smaller summer numbers, a little easier to take it all in."
However, before Zalfe could continue, a woman's voice interrupted her, "Zalfe in the Amphitheatre? Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Does this mean we'll be seeing more of you~?"
"Haha, I wouldn't get your hopes up Tyevi, I am showing our guests around the isles and helping them get a feel for the place." Zalfe smiled, looking up towards the other Zorphin who was lounging on a shelf just above them. "This is Cironus the Zorca and Danmalaak the Goron. And friends this is Tyevi. She and I have been best friends since we were in the Cradle."
"Aww....but we miiisss yooouuuu~" Tyevi said with an exaggerated pout but she stopped her dramatic display to look over the ledge at their guests when Zalfe introduced them.
"Oh wow! A Zorca and a Goron! Where'd you find them Fefe?!" Tyevi chirped rather excitedly, "I've only ever seen paintings and read about them, never thought I'd meet any face to face! Wow Zorca really are tall and oh wow Goron really are made of sto-OUGH!"
Her excitement was interrupted by another Zorphin flopping ontop of her to lean over the edge and eye the new faces.
"Exotic new faces, you say~!" She purred with a smug glint in her magenta eyes.
"Scyllaaaahhhh!!!! You're cruuuussshing meeeee!!!!" Tyevi wheezed, shoving the other woman off of her. Scylla rolled off the shelf gracefully despite the shove, landing next to Zalfe before circling Cironus and Danmalaak like a shark eyeing up something.
"Color me intrigued~," Scylla chittered before twirling around and frowning at the spiral on Zalfes' chest.
"Oh, Zalfe, you're a party pooper! Should have painted hearts like me!" Scylla huffed, smearing part of the still-drying paint on Zalfe with her pinky. "Buuuut if you're not gonna sample the buffet, that just means more for me!" Scylla said with a haughty laugh though Zalfe frowned seeing where Scylla drew said hearts.
"Unfortunately, Scylla you don't get to take a bite out of these two!" Zalfe huffed as she shunted Scylla out of the trios personal spaces.
"Boo her!" Scylla complained to Tyevi as she was shunted off, "Who made you the pooper of parties Zalfe?"
"We're trying to set a good example for our new guests to feel welcome not to be pestered by your insatiable desires" Zalfe said with mock anger clearly trying not to giggle at Scylla antics.
"Don't mind Scylla...she's...flirty! I'm Tyevi I'm a Fa path with the Silver Siren subpod!" Tyevi smiled as her markings lit up with bright green light as reached an arm down to shake the newcomer's hands.
"And I'm scylla~ one of the most delicious of the Lodo path and loveliest of the Pink Prancer subpod~"
"Scylla!" Zalfe huffed.
"Don't worry cuddle fish I'll share!"
"Ok go over there and bother Fjord!" Zalfe barked with a smile.
"Don't tease a girl with false hopes Fefe that's so rude of you! You know Fjord doesn't like pink eyes! Hurumph! But fffiiiinnneee" She said with a dramatized fake sigh. "I promise I won't take a bite....yyyyet."
Zalfe huffed at her last statement and went to give her a playful jab to her side, but when she made the move to jab, Scylla dodged into the water, "Boo her! Boo her for ruining my fun!" Scylla sqwuacked as she splashed water at Zalfe and took off with Zalfe hot on her heels.
"Don't mind them" Tyevi said as she gave a big stretched. "Scylla and Zalfe have always had that sorta spit and spat friendship. Scylla just likes to push Zalfe's buttons. But it is nice to see her in the Amp again! You guys managed to get her to show up after 20 years of her avoiding it like the plague so thanks for that!"
"How long till Vrelu ruins that and chases her out again?" Zalfe's brother Daelu huffed hauling himself up onto the stone.
"Don't speak that evil into the air Daelu! I wanna enjoy the Amp with my friend without having to keep my head on a swivel for Vrelu's antics!" Tyevi whined.
"I can distract him!" Sahbi chimed in from where he was lounging with Zalfe's sister Lyrova draped over his chest. She wore an equally annoyed expression as Tyevi at the mention of Vrelu's antics.
"Oh yeah have you guys met Vrelu? You must have at least casually right swimming with the corals? He's the piebald with the brown and blue eyes. Dude is basically the reason Zalfe rarely comes here anymore... Jerk can't take a hint."
"I wouldn't fully blame him she's been distant since the daunting. Honestly it's only thanks to running into Cironus and Danmalaak that she's really been doing much of anything lately." Lyrova sighed but gave the pair a grateful smile, "I'm grateful regardless to see Zalfe socializing even if it's as a guide."
"Oh yeah, Kiburi told me Zalfe was a storm when she went to the pod leaders. I can only wonder what had her barking like Loqua!"
"I saw it! it was spectacular!" Zalfe's cousin Meridian shouted from the water, "The look on pops face was nothing short of gobsmacked! Damn near pissed myself laughing!"
"No one wants to hear about pissin'! Do I have to holler for all three of your mates to come collect their heathen?" Tyevi joked back, only to earn Meridian blowing a raspberry in taunting jest. Realizing they still had company, she smiled down at Cironus and Danmalaak.
"Anywhoozle- are you two enjoying the tour so far? Anything catching your interest about the Isles? Any of the paths or things like that?" Tyevi trilled tilting her head to the side.
"Or anyone~" Scylla cooed with mischievous intent in her eyes as she swam back up and hauled herself up to sit on the ledge.
"They've been on the isles barely a day, leave the poor guys alone!" Zalfe barked as following in hot pursuit, her face smeared in glowing pink paint.
"I'm not doing anything, Zalfe~! Just chatting~ I Prommy~!" Scylla said, pitching her voice higher and batting her eyelashes oh so innocently. "Oh, you look so nice in pink tho, babes~!"
"That was a cheap shot, Scyl, and you know it! You nearly got it in my eyes!" She puffed while washing her face off, "Anyway, the games are gonna start soon, so better get your game faces on cause I don't plan to go easy on anyone! Newbies or not!"
Based on convos with friends I was thinking of how many kiddos each of my goons would want to have if they did have children or how many they wanted before having children even if they have them now.
Loqua & Kohv: originally they wanted 6 children. HOWEVER, due to how troublesome Zalfe was as a calf especially with her baby brother as her minion of chaos they decided 4 was more than plenty. Couldn't increase Zalfe's one evil minion to 2 or 3 after all.
Zalfe: she always wanted 5 even since she was young. She wanted her children to have lots of siblings to both play with and pester. Like how she had her brother and sisters to play with and pester. She's had 1 and even though there was that tragic loss and she fears going through it again. She still honestly desires a big family.
Fjord: When he was younger he wanted 2 or 3 kids as him being a twin he enjoyed having a sibling growing up. However due to the deep deep scar tissue he has from being electrocuted by the great eel causing his fertility to crash he'd be over the moon if he even has one.
Vrelu: he currently has 3 children from previous courtships and is fully open to the idea of more he just can't decide if he'd keep it low at like 4-5 total kids or if he'd have 10-12 like Scylla wants to.
Scylla: wants as many children as she can physically have as she was an only child and found it rather lonely. She also wants to hold the pod record of the largest family. She has 8 children currently and would happily have at least another 3-4.
Tyevi: the idea of children is a scary thought to Tyevi after everything that happened with Zalfe. She wouldn't mind 1-2 but...she thinks she's also content not having any.
Lyrova: her goal is 3 kiddos max. She has her 2 daughters and is hoping if she and Sahbi have a third that they have a lil boy but they'd also be happy if it was a third girl as well.
Dealu: he's got his little boy and he's perfectly content with that! But if Olka wanted a second he also wouldn't be against that. But he's more than pleased with his one.
Caspia: she'd rather do a triple axel into a volcano then ever have a child. She hates kids 🤣
featuring Cironus (@tides-that-bind-us) and Danmalaak (@this-rock-floats)
Just like Zalfe had predicted the pod found itself rolling into the shared bays of the many isles that made up the Isles of Song about mid afternoon. The pod made a B-line for Spiral Island's southern coast where the Superpod had its village built into the coastline and mountain side.
As the rest of the pod made their way inland Zalfe stayed behind to help Cironus and Danmalaak with their belongings.
"The pods gonna get a jump on dinner, but while they are doing that, I'm gonna get you guys settled into your new home! Or well at least get your belongings there before we eat. You can worry about any unpacking in the morning. Cause trust me once we eat, you'll probably conk right out to gain that energy we all just burned up getting here."
As the three assumed the "friends move a couch" position to haul up the raft, Zalfe lead them up the beach to what looked like huts hidden amongst the tropical plants
"Normally we sleep out in the sea, on the beach, or if we need shelter in the temples and buildings we've carved into Spiral. But sleeping outside usually means you are open to being part of a sleep pile should someone choose to join you. So, for guests or those who'd like a little more privacy when they sleep and who do not want to become a pillow for someone else, we have these huts. They aren't anything super decked out, but they have good storage, a counter, and a nice big comfy bed that can comfortably fit even big Zora like you." She rambled on as they neared the huts.
She approached one with a pink and white shell curtain that made up its door and pulled it back to open up the space.
"This one's for you!" She smiled, "If it's not enough room to comfortably fit all of you, you are free to also use the one across the path with the blue and orange curtain. Since its still summer the whole Superpod isn't here just yet, so we have plenty of spaces to accommodate you."
"I'll let you guys get settled and I'll come fetch you for dinner when its ready! And after dinner and a good night's rest, if you are interested, I can continue more of the tour." Zalfe smiled while giving the two a pat on the shoulder as she left, the sound of the shell curtains giving a light rattle as they closed behind her.
================ Time Jump ================
Not terribly long after Zalfe left she returned, announcing so by knocking on the stone wall outside the entrance and chirping, "Knock knock! Dinner time!"
She then guided the two further along the path until they reached a large clearing in front of massive stone arches that lead into a hallow cave. Anyone with a sense of smell could pick up the rich smell of mixed spices of a roasting stew. And by the sight of massive pots over fires that was clearly what was on the menu.
"This is where we do our cooking! If you continue deeper into the cave, you'll find shallow pools which is where the pod sleeps during storms and the Temple Mi which is our hospital lies even further in. But I'll give you a proper tour of Mi later." She beamed.
"Tonight, we're having Travels End Mystery Stew. Its tradition to always eat it when returning to the isles, and to eat so much that you simply can't stay awake and need to sleep it off. It's the best way to shake off that long journey! You all sit here." She said placing her hands on their shoulders and with a gentle pressure guiding them to sit down at a large unnaturally flat rock with a chizzled smooth dip in the center. Loqua and her other children were already sitting around the rock and as Zalfe circled around her mother gave her a playful flick on her side fins.
"Where did you run off to earlier?" Loqua smirked.
"I was hanging out in the Hall of Lyrics with Fjord and Bingle. We just decided to Bumb around there for a couple hours."
"Ah right. Honestly I don't know why I didn't look there first."
"Yup! Anyway, I am starving for a proper meal! I am so over raw catch." Zalfe huffed then rather ungracefully flopped flat on her butt in her preferred spot with a light "Oof!"
Once they were sitting Kohv and Fjord brought over one of the massive cooking pots and set it at the center of the rock where it fit perfectly in the dip. Loqua then handed everyone bowls made out of half a large coconut and gestured to the pot.
Once everyone had scooped up their first serving Loqua held her bowl up high, seeing her do this the rest of the family also held their bowls up high.
"Now before we eat, lets us not forget the family toast!" Loqua smiled and Zalfe flashed Cironus and Danmaalak a 'brace yourself and I am so sorry.' face while her mother cleared her throat and the family repeated after her.
"Here's to you, and here's to me! Lifelong friends may we always be! But should you ever dare turn your back on me...well then SCREW YOU, here's to me!" They all jeered happily before then all taking big gulps of their soup.
Zalfe gave a satisfied "Hwa!" as she lowered her bowl before leaning forwards to scoop a second and chuckled, "Sorry about that. It's my mother's favorite saying for toasts."
"It's a damn good one!" Loqua cackled while Kohv shook his head with an amused expression.
"Either way you all better clear this pot! I don't want to see even a drop of broth left in it or you all would have failed me!" Loqua said with a clearly joking tone.
"Mama did you get into the wine already?" Lyrova groaned.
Loqua whipped her head to look at her daughter with a cheeky expression, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"You know speaking of wine I did snag a couple of these bad boys from the storages~!" Fjord smirked as he pulled out several bottles of Prickle Pear Wine.
"Word of warning unless you have poison resistance don't drink that unless you weigh a couple tons. The way the venom supercharges the alcohol in that is no joke." Zalfe turned towards their guests and said with a warning tone.
And as the night drew on the pod continued to enjoy their meal until the exhaustion of the journey and a full stomach eventually lulled most of them to sleep.
Anymore adventures would have to wait for morning.
I revealed a couple of these in a stream a little while ago, but after seeing @tides-that-bind-us release the ones for their amazing characters, I was also reminded that I hadn't fully posted the list for my goobers!
Fjord: (Asgore) Fun fact, this was the song that also inspired me to make Fjord and just his overall vibe ngl. So it's only fitting that this would be what he'd sound like. (Jonnathan Frizbee) is an extremely close second.
Zalfe: (Annapantsu) Originally, I played this on stream as an example of Zalfe's voice, and while I think it really fits her bubbly side. But I am also leaning more towards Evan Rachel Wood for her performance as (Marianne) due to it fitting Zalfe's vibe a lil more I feel.
Loqua: (Plio) Honestly, Loqua was one of the hardest to narrow down, but after rewatching a favorite movie from my childhood, I settled on Plio because she sounds equally as sassy as she does motherly, and I think it best fits Loqua and her personality.
Kohv: (Holt) I'm sorry, but Captain Holt brings me great joy, and I think it's just a perfect voice for Kohv.
Caspia: (Rosa) Caspia is the Rosa to Kohv Holt, and it's only a perfectly fitting voice for her. I can always picture Caspia and Kohv in almost every scene I see of Holt and Rosa
Lyrova: (Sugarplum Fairy) Honestly, I just love this song and omg this character's sass is off the charts in the movie, it's perfect for Lyrova.
Daelu: (Owen Wilson) Honestly Daelu is the golden retriever energy of his family and I just felt that owen best fit that vibe for him as the youngest of his siblings.
Rilvi: (Vinny Marchi) Rilvi was a poet and songwriter and had the voice of an angel when he was alive. I feel Vinny best fits Rilvi and his energy!
Tilda: (Penny) Honestly, Penny is just the only voice I picture whenever I think about Tilda. She's got the braincells to have common sense.
Ilnu: (Bingo) Honestly Bngo really is just Ilnu's whole vibe. Small chaotic child, but a sweetheart.
Derle: (Little Foot) Another favorite childhood movie character and one I think best firsts Derle. He's the youngest grandchild currently and is a curious and rowdy lil guy, much like Littlefoot.
Hurna: (Betty White) Honestly, I loved Betty White so much, she was such a fun actress. And I love to imagine that old granny Hurna has her same energy.
Bingle: (Bitzy) Bingles just got bitzy energy about him. I have no other explanation other than it's funny.
💬 - Caspia: Caspia was initially afraid to reveal to her family she had no interest in courtship or children, but only because she knew her mother wanted grandchildren. Her fears dashed with her mother's brilliantly playful "Don't want children??? Congrats you are the last to know!"
🤫 - Caspia: is keeping several major secrets about her family members from her family members. She loves gossip but she's been extremely tight lipped about some of the things her siblings have confessed, like how Lyrova is extremely jealous of Zalfe and how Zalfe hold some resentment towards Lyrova.
💬 - Lyrova: Wants 5-7 kids. She loves the idea of a big family and wants an army of lil bitties.
🤫 - Lyrova: Lyrova is extremely jealous about how much Tilda prefers Zalfe over her. She knows it's not Zalfe or Tilda's faults. Naturally Tilda would have a close bond with Zalfe because she nursed her as an infant. She's grateful for her sisters help, she saved Tilda's life! But it has been eating at Lyrova a bit, it just makes her feel like she failed as a mom with her firstborn.
💬 - Zalfe: Zalfe thinks that cool toned eyes are prettier than warm toned eyes. She sees so many people with beautiful blue, green, or purple eyes and she just thinks her yellow ones seem lack luster.
🤫 - Zalfe: she actually easily falls head over heels when it comes to things like poetry or flowery worded letters. Her late love was a poet and she used to sigh wistfully at he works.
💬 - Daelu: Has exquisite taste when it comes to designing fabrics. He can spot the difference in two similar color down to the exact tone of it. He will not accept any quality less than flawless.
🤫 - Daelu: is TERRIFIED of being a father. He loves his son he truly does! But that is a whole person he's shaping there and he's terrified about fucking up.
