Submission (#207) Approved

WC: 1.2k ((^^'' I was linked Boxgore's Guide Grim + Seeker Estelle and Leaforia's Myriad from the Request Thread on Discord!))

Lian flipped through the waterlogged pages of 'Gerrie's Guide to Greatness (How to make good friends, and keep them)'. The book had washed up in between the roots of the mangrove trees near their home, and ever curious, Lian had immediately pried it from the catching roots.

What the book contained was absolutely fascinating: stories of intricate friendship rituals (handshakes??? exchanging secret truths and risks???) and even something that had absolutely captured their imagination : the sleepover. The words were a little blurred in places, but still vivid enough to leave an image in their mind they would never be able to forget. Staying up all night, not because you were trying to catch the last of the clams before the seasons changed or because you could not sleep for the thoughts of your own mind, but because you wanted to. Because you had company. You had someone to speak to. It was such a big idea, they struggled with even grasping the corners of it. They did not talk much, nor even meet others much : even though they enjoyed the idea of it. But with this book on their side, perhaps it could be done.

Now. They only needed one thing : these 'friends'. Where would they find them? Lian knew of some of the tidetouched around them, but more than that, the knew of the tidetouched who would /avoid/ them.

So, maybe, above ground?

The shoreline was fascinating, in so many different ways. Sometimes Lian liked to go and watch the seabirds. This time, Lian went with a very specific purpose : finding someone to invite to their Very First Sleepover.

It was hard deciding who would be an ideal choice : but eventually, Lian spotted someone. Though to be more accurate, it was more like they felt their tentacles wiggle. Up above, there was a sight to behold : a guide, just like them, who also had a number of tentacles. Lian didn’t wave, but a tentacle did.

Another tentacle waved back, and then twisted itself into something like a braid. Lian gasped softly, ducking down below the shoreline to open up their book once again. They knew which chapter to reference. Friendship bracelets. There it was : that same braided shape. Perhaps, this was the very sign they were waiting for? A friend to call their very own. Carefully, they poked their head back above the shoreline once again : except this time, they came face to face with a riveting green face, culminating into two shining black eyes.

The frog hopped onto Lian’s face. They did not scream, only stay shock-still.

“The frog has chosen,” a voice that didn’t belong to them said, sounding very deep and so very high up. Lian carefully looked around the face-frog, staring up at the massive mossy rock before them. Oh wait. That was a seeker. Where had the other tentacle-guide gone?

“Boo,” said another voice, and Lian resisted the urge to duck down into the water. Because again, face-frog.

“Wow, you’re a tidetouched guide, aren’t ya! I’m Grim. I haven’t met very many of ya’ before!” The guide- Grim- continued, absolutely steamrolling over any options for retreating Lian had thought of. Rules Number 12 in the Book said you couldn’t just end a conversation abruptly with a friend. (Nevermind that Grim had not actually agreed yet).

“I am,” Lian said carefully, not moving a muscle as the frog hopped to a better spot on top of their head. “Is this your animal.”

“No way, that guy’s not anyone’s. He makes his own rules.” Grim nodded to themselves, self-assured. Lian was captivated. “This is my frog though.” And he extended a smaller silver replica frog.

“Amazing,” Lian said softly. “I have something similar. I have… a pebbling just like that. Silver.” Lian gestured with their hands, trying to give an idea of the size of their pebbling statue.

“Are you saying it’s bigger than me? This I gotta see!” Grim looked excited.

“It is… Not with me. Hard to move. I am having a… sleepover tonight. If you want to come, you can see the statue. And also play the dares or truth.”

The frog ribbited, and any doubt seemed to clear from the two of their minds. “The frog has decided,” the seeker said, and Grim pumped his fist in the air. “We’re in! Estelle, find my fishbowl, stat- we got a sleepover to prepare for!” He turned back to Lian, grinning. “So what’s your name, new friend?”

New friend. “Lian. I am happy you will come… I will be back here when the sun sets, to show you the way.” They thought back to rule 14. “I will bring… Snacks.”

“Sweet! See you then! We’ll both be there!” And Grim opened up a hand, picking up the frog that had hopped right off of Lian’s head at the time. Perhaps it had gotten too cold. Still, Lian felt incredibly warm. They’d called them friend. Now, they would have a sleepover.

Who knew books had so much power to them?

Lian carefully returned the book to its storage spot in the trees before returning to their home. They had a sleepover to prepare. Though, maybe they should get one more person?

----

While they didn’t get along with many of the tidetouched…

…. There was one that came to mind. Lian hadn’t ever exchanged words with her, but sometimes words didn’t mean much. People seemed to say things they didn’t mean all the time. Instead, this tidetouched and Lian had once seen each other at a kelp park, watching the way the light broke through the waves. It had been nice. They hadn’t said anything, but they hadn’t disturbed each other either.

Part two of the introduction in their book said shared experiences made a good start to friendships. Lian had a shared experience. Perhaps it would work?

Lian made their way over to the woman’s home carefully swimming past other tidetouched- they tended to avoid Lian anyways, due to how cold they made the water around them. That was one worry: what if she didn’t want to sleepover because Lian made the water too cold?

Sleepovers needed people. They could do this. Sucking in, Lian committed to their plan of action and knocked on the door.

It opened to reveal a collected guide with bold yellow eyes.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hello,” Lian said back. There was a moment of silence. “We met at the kelp park not long ago. I’m Lian”

“Myriad” she says, by way of introduction, “I remember. It was nice.”

“Yes,” Lian agreed, “I was planning a sleepover today. Would you want to attend?”

Myriad blinked, then nodded. “But I don’t remember much of sleepovers- and-” she stops, saying nothing.


“I have a book that explains it all. If you want to borrow it, you can. Do you mind the water being cold?” Lian asked, a hint of worry coloring their otherwise calm question.

“Jellyfish don’t mind the cold. Do you mind the stingers?”

“My ice makes me fairly numb,” Lian answers, “I don’t mind.”

“Oh,” she says. And then she smiles, faintly. “I will borrow your book then. And I will see you at the sleepover.”

Three whole people at their sleepover. Before this, Lian couldn’t have even imagined one.

When they returned to their home, it was with their own faint smile on their face, an excitement to prepare for the night.