|trigger warning|
|occasional dark topics discussed|

          A wild and uproaring wave greeted the cabin and young lad; they had their heads tipped outside of the boat's rim, as Turbot manned the vessel. It was the first time for the duo to ever ride on such a thing, since all their life's been on land, after all, there's no use of them to go on such things like these when you're destined to hone your self skill-wise to compete in this crude world.

     Billowing came the waves were, its energetic nature had the same radiance as the two who had hopped and about on the deck.

     "You live an interesting life, Cap'n!" Marshall gushes in interest and amazement. "All my life, I've been tired of seeing the same scenery over and over again—" A warm grin was flashed back to the man, in one grin, it told him everything, from how much his kindness had greatly affected them, in a positive ay of course.

          Bashfully thanking them for it, he questioned them what they should have for lunch "There'll be a lot of sea findings present at the spot I'll be docking this!" Though nobody answered for they have no idea what the options were. Fish became a common word on their tongue like a sweet candy that's lost its charm over time.

          "There's clams, squid, crabs, even seaweed!" Enthused Horatio, as he lets go of the wheel and dropped the anchor; within a flick of a lever, the chain that held the rusty anchor rushed like a waterfall upon command, and with that, the boat itself had stopped in the midst of nowhere, but not exactly foreign in the eyes of Horatio Turbot.

          As the two thought of something they could consume, later on, they informed him that they'll opt for something after whatever he'll be doing out here in the open.

          "What are you exactly gonna do Mr. Turbot?" Jake questioned out of curiosity, clueless as to why the man decided to stop idly here out in the open sea.

          In the background, he could clearly see Turbot bringing various equipment that came from the bottom part of his ship. Between his arms, there was a bunch of paper compiled into a notebook, a pen and pencil, and some gizmos that he can't identify except a white deflated balloon.

          Laying them tortuously on the wooden surface, he handpicked his needed tools and sat on the back part of his ship, where it was left down so he could observe and dive into the ocean with ease.

          The two young figures were curious why he sat down there with a pen and paper, so they both sat down beside him to get themselves an answer to sate their ever-curious minds.

          "I am a marine biologist and the watchman of the bays; typically I observe the weather and climate conditions and withdraw to alert them." Explains the man, as he slowly inflates the white balloon and soon equips it with a meteorological apparatus, then send it freely into the atmosphere.

          "Why'd you let the balloon go?" Asked the suddenly sullen dalmatian. A soft laugh escaped Turbot's system at the sight he saw "Don't worry Marshall, these kinds of ballons are supposed to be let go, for they serve a better purpose for humanity."

          "What is that?" The now smiling and mystified pup questioned, seemingly eager to know the reason behind Horatio's release of the great 'o white balloon.

          He then pointed his index finger skywards, which two pairs of eyes followed where it pointed to, though were left in an unfathomable sight.

          Eyes were being squinted, and brows were being raised at the queer explanation Turbot pointed. It lacked of words and a thorough explanation, the only context were they given was that it played a major part in everyone's lives, but what is that?

          "It.. Tests the weather?" Says Jake, while Marshall had simply replied "I'm still confused, to bring the thingy up?" Which in return, Turbot smiled at the two's answer.

          "You are both correct! I left you to wonder and supply the meaning for yourselves. One cannot remember through words by not applying it themselves or simply experiencing it," Upon his jigsaw-pieced delineation, the duo was washed with understanding and sense of clearness.

          "Awe, that's so cool!!" Gasped Jake, holding the arm of Horatio out of excitement, while Marshall had metaphorically turned himself into a slimy blob that's been played like fun goo.

          "Are there more doo-hickeys for the weather?" The curious child queries, as he swung his legs back and forth upon sitting. Horatio grinned with his heart out on the line; that kind of smile as if it were back from the 90's, yet it never goes out of style. It was that kind of clothing that you could wear it over and over again for years. It really is that just nostalgic and warming to look at.

          Wrapping his arms around the necks of the two figures, he began to tell all sorts of things he knows himself. Reopening that mental journal he's kept it only to himself, he never thought that it'd be retold again for someone. Inside, he's laughing to himself at how he even attempted to speak of these advanced postulations, despite clearly knowing full well that he's in face with youngens, and their minds are yet to be built for things as such.

          "Certainly, there are more gizmos and wonders you have yet to see! Let us begin on why they were ever built."

          Glasses of variety had clinked upon its bases being placed down into the woody surface. The three males had found themselves upon a cozy restaurant that served day-in and day-out. Its native aroma had welcomed them warmly, and that right away, everyone knew what to get.

          Jake's eyes began to scintillate at the familiarity of the area. It had a hint of cinnamon and cocoa in the air, just like home, he told himself. His eyes slid onto the taller man that's beside him; the man had a smile as if this was his plan all along.

          "You did mention how you used to eat pancakes, with hot cocoa accompanying it. I've thought to bring you and Marshall to this place! Plus, they sell here the finest meat, perfect for you, Marshall!"

          "Why'd you do this?" Flabbergasted did Jake question Horatio; in return, he smiled warmly at both the canine and the kid "You two did so well awhile ago, I couldn't help but treat you a well-deserving one."

          A smile had stitched onto the boy's previous forlorn frowns, and at that moment felt like something became whole again in what his old heart had lacked of.

          Precursory, had his breathing organ taped with void-full blackness in one of its areas, but now.. It was rather decorated with a beautiful replacement. It wasn't entirely a perfect fit, instead, it was like an old found rug that's threaded onto his heart. Parallel to a grandmother's handmade blanket; clearly different, though had the sense of wholesomeness.

          Jake looked upon Horatio's averted gaze, he was busily filing the kind waiter their desired orders, and beside him, he has Marshall who playfully preoccupied himself with a plain white napkin. Nothing too special about it, yet it still gives amusement.

          "Alright, thank you so much." The man says politely, as the conversation had concluded into a silent beat. Looking over to the two youthful figures in front of him, he excused himself for a short while and had told them he'd be using the loo.

          Nodding as their response, Turbot slipped out of the dining table and went past these wooden doors — supported with these screwed metallic hinges.

          "Do you ever think what would happen to us when Cap'n didn't ever find us?" The young dally suddenly raised the question, it was a spontaneous thought; it lacked a thorough assessment and is solely based upon its current emotions — a conflation of happiness and confusion.

          The young lad, too, questions the same thing "I dunno. Maybe I'd be sleeping like sleeping beauty, like what mommy told me that happened to Granddad."

          "What does that mean?" Curious as ever the dally asks.

          "I'm not sure too, they never told me about it."

          Itchy, we're the pup's paws were for an unknown reason; a lot of questions just keep coming from the production of his young mind - eager to know more of the world.

          "Do you think we'll ever know? When we're older?" Everything became deafeningly silent, the melancholic tune of nothing played, despite knowing full well of the clamor within the establishment. The questions that were being digested by these young minds couldn't bear to host as such.

          "Maybe! I can't wait to be an adult so I'll know everything!"

          "Ooh! When you become an adult, tell me all about it!!"

          "I bet I have a lot of knowledge I can tell you." Smiles Jake and Marshall at each other. Unaware of what the future may hold for them. All they could do as of now is wait patiently for the time to come that they may be declared as "adults" and gain wisdom like any other mature folks.

          They both shared a short fit of laughter, as the outside skies cried away the crystals it once stole from the Earth ground. The world continues to move on, and so does everyone. Some choose to rapidly get by the day, but as for these two, they've opted to enjoy this moment, even though there's this itch that they don't want to. They're just too caught up in the moment.

»»——⍟——««

          "Was that a scrumptious meal, you two?" Survey Horatio. The trio walked out of the coffee-scented shop with full and satisfied tummies — hot cocoa and warm dish all digested.

          Nodding happily as their simple response as their heads were clouded with sugary goodness, the man couldn't help but smile at the two.

          "I am very buoyant to receive such positive feedback from the two of you. I shall take you two to another one verily soon." Promised Horatio, as they all slowly crept back onto their boat to sail away somewhere that the youngens do now know of.

          Jake and Marshall were clueless of what the man had just babbled upon them, but took it as a positive comment in the end, and boomeranged a grin at him nevertheless.

          "Whoop, there you go Marshall, safe on deck," He says, as he laid the pup onto the wooden floors of his humble boat and abode "Are you two primed for adventure?" But before the boat could move any further, the kid and the pup looked confusingly at the man.

          He had forgotten he'd been speaking formally all this time, that he had tendencies to use more complex and deep words that the duo can't understand. Laughing in slight embarrassment, he quickly rephrased his postulation "I meant, are you two ready?"

          With the now simplified phrasing, the duo were able to fully understand the man's thoughts and had properly answered him accordingly. And with that said, Horatio Turbot took this as a "go signal"; before you knew it, they were sailing forth adventure and exciting new-founds.

          "Hehe, look at those little fishies!" Exclaims the dally, whose tail wagged vigorously at the visible excitement he is expressing; upon relishing the great wonders of the ever prodigious watery spectacle, the pup's desire to ingest the locals that pass by underneath them had subsided once he was beheld an amazing sight to witness.

          Jake couldn't agree more; the scenery that pans from right to left had truly stunned him to shock — the kind of shock that makes you feel at peace and surprised for having to actually see it for yourself.

         In the midst of this salty waters that they dared to travel on, a chain of beautifully formed rocks and soil stood around the stream of water, it stood there proudly towering amongst everyone. Despite its height, it was a gentle giant that were adorned with trees, greenery and fresh air.

          A few shrubs and flowery plants had planted themselves on the rims of it and had swayed along with the lazy wind.

          The skies that's plastered behind it were painted a misty, yet cool blue hue and strips of clouds made the ever lonely atmosphere less lonely.

          Not only that, but the breeze caressed each one that it touches as it weaves its way forth Southbound; in this air that we speak of, it had a hint of a sweet flower that's native to the place.

          "How do you two like it so far?" Questions Turbot, as he continued further to man the sea vehicle. In return, the duo had beamed a grin at him — it was a thank you and an expression of delight and positive affirmation in one simple gesture.

          "Shh," He began, as he held his index finger in front of his lips, silencing the two from its dinner "Listen to the aquatic melody of the sea."

          Flabbergasted, the two listened for the "melodic sea" to perform its piece for them, to only be disappointed to only hear the steady beat of the rushing water, gurgling lively along with them.

          "I don't understand," Baffled was the kid found; the dally just say there and attempted to search the familiar sounds of the strings or wind or brass instrument, the instrumentless persists.

          "Hush, listen carefully and eagerly. You'll learn to appreciate the little things in life and humble yourself." Wisely responded Horatio. What had rendered into Jake's mind only, was to listen and quit his whining. But he does not understand truly how these salty waters would teach him a valuable lesson. In the end, he continued to ignore this and just simply looked for aquatic animals to marvel at.

»»——⍟——««

          Pitter, patter, came these little drops go. Slowly had it trickled down from its ice-bounded homes.

          Pitter, patter, bit by bit had it polka-dotted every surface it sees.

          Pitter, patter came the drizzle go, until it became a loud thrumming as of parallel to a thousand orchestral drums being drummed.

          Once, was it lightly tapping against the wood, metal and the waters, soon these individuals had united with its families and had came stronger, bigger and faster. What came next, was the rocking of the boat.

          Violently, had it shook the sea vehicle from left to right; it was enough to alert the man from its shallow slumber. Up and about on his feet, he scanned his eyes to see two figures by the edges of his boat, grasping tightly in order not to slip themselves off to the ocean.

          But it was getting harder, as the surface became damper and damper. Because of this perfect vexatious coincidence, their grip had loosened and their life was placed on a line — whereas the only thing keeping them alive for now, is the solid metal that surrounds the boat's edges as it's railing. Without it, they're simply slipping off of an aquatic stage.

          "Remain neutral, I'll fetch you!" Yells Turbot at the shivering and scared children, as he attempted to make a beeline forth them, though his legs were failing him as the wet floor purposely made him slip. It was hard than it looks as his legs and feet intertwined from east to west.

          He grew frustrated that he cannot walk nor move properly without potentially slipping that may eventually lead him to a great fall — a fall where he may have a concussion, or spinal issue, or basically anything that will make him unable to perform freely and normally. An event that may declare the end of both of them and the only tale that could assure of its existence is the sea — if it dared to recount such folktale.

          Shrieks coming from the two gradually joined into the potpourri of a disaster as the storm stirred more violently. It was rather spine-shivering to hear their cries in moments where you are completely helpless. Horatio could only look in terror.

          But he can't stand seeing them eventually wait for them to slip off. They were just hanging by a thread; if the storm manages to do its job, the unhelpful way, they're both done for, and he'll forever have in this memory engraved eternally in his mind like of a tombstone. Along with it, there buries the guilt of the unheroic him.

          Searching for something he could stabilize himself against these slippery fields, from the corner of his eyes he found, was a machete and a rope. Thanks to his quick wit, he was able to make a harness  —the fibrous rope was tied to the rubbery handle of one of its ends, and then stabbed the sharper tip onto his floorboards with great force.

          Tossing the rope forward, to his fortune, it was far enough to reach the two frightened children. "Grab it!!" Yelled Horatio, knowing that wasting even a second may lead to the failure of his plan. Luckily, the two saw this and immediately knew what to do, despite not actually knowing the exact words he told them.

          Once they've grabbed it, with Marshall between one of Jake's arms, Turbot reeled them in as if were a fishing line — slowly tying the rope by wrapping it in a circular motion, covering the rubber end like newly made twine.

          The two had reached the worried man by becoming penguins, just to save their lives. It wasn't long before the two had returned to Horatio's safety. He hugged them tightly in the midst of this raging and frigid weather.

          Storm had continued to enrage, and stopped for no one and continued to pitch the boat. Moving would be a death wish, and nothing might ever work accordingly when two of the crew are completely frightened by the constant rolls of thunder and flash of lights.

          "It's gonna be alright. Everything will be alright. I'm here.." Whispered Horatio, as he hugged the two younger ones who continued to dispel their negative emotions onto his already damp-clothed shoulders.

          At last, peace was restored between the three, but the world continues to be unrelenting.

»»——⍟——««

          At the end of every a storm comes peace, though there wasn't a rainbow that greeted them in the end. The tides have abated, the cloudburst has now disappeared into nothing but beautiful jet black skies with little to no jewels luminating the cloaked days. It truly was after the turmoil.

          Petrichor was well present in the senses aside from the steaming soup that's cooking not far from where the two were situated.

          After that event, everyone's fallen into a mute spell, and everyone hadn't gotten to speak much. All thoughts were locked away with the haunting flash of lightning and drumming thunders; maybe, it wasn't that, but perhaps that they were nearing to fall onto their demise.

         Recalling of the past event, the ocean had grew sharp fangs and stared intently at the two yelling and scared children. Despite its figure, it was trying to comfort them and instructed them to fall, and promised nothing but serenity. Lies.

          It was hard to believe as it cackled in a booming way, instantly giving away its disposition, making it an easier book to read.

          Not long, Turbot had returned with three bowls on his hands and a pot full of soup. Placing them down onto the wooden table before picking up the ladle and poured them a helping.

          His eyes were carved with weariness, and his lips were drooped. There were no scars, mercifully. But what lies underneath his fair skin were trauma and the fatigue that came from the earlier event. It had completely depleted all his energy to even simply comment a hilarious one to lighten the mood.

          What happened next? They ate dinner in silence. Unlike the first meal they had, it was deafeningly quiet, poetically deep in thought, and had a sombrous overtone overlaying the whole scenario.

          Truly, was the whole situation a pain to bear. The awkward tension was suffocating, enough to flush your ears and cheeks as if it were summer; the lack of noise had managed to turn itself into a void, sucking all capability to natter any sort of emotion or opinion.

          "Guys," Turbot spoke, surprising the two after that long note of silence playing for hours. Eyes that used to be glued onto the meal were now onto the older male with framed glasses. They caught on quickly with his tone of voice, and the duo didn't want to hear what he had to say next. Whatever he'll say, it's probably bad news.

          Placing the metallic spoon down, making a clinking sound along the process, he sighed heavily and pressed the bridge of his nose in deep contemplation, debating whether to tell them his thoughts or not.

          "I cannot take care of you any longer." Their eyes widened at this heartbreaking news as he told them the moment he did.

          "W-why?" Marshall muttered in our confusion, loneliness was quite evident in his voice, and it was contagious enough to tear up Jake and Horatio themselves.

          Horatio kept firm, whereas Jake broke with a frown that's been sprinkled with his broken heart.

          "The sea life is far too dangerous for you two. I cannot bear to see you struggle when clearly you have no roots in this type of field."

          "But we could help! Right, Marshall?"

          "Yeah! We'll learn eagerly too!"

          "I'm deeply in contrite, but I cannot allow you two. I'm irresponsible most of the times; I should've predicted well of what situations we will be facing with today's conditions, but I foolishly forgot to actually do my task. I failed to do so, how much more in merely taking care of you?"

          "Please Cap'n, let us stay so we could help you.. We can be your little helpers." Pleaded Jake, but no matter what he would do — climb a mountain or retrieve a moon rock, it didn't change the man's mind and kept true to his decision.

          "Regrets were made. But I've made up my mind. Next thing in the morning, I will give you into someone's care instead." standing up, he left the two for space as he ascended to the upper deck to find a perfect place to temporarily dock the boat.

          As silence envelops them once more, alongside their already cold soup and shoulders, Jake frustratingly huffed his hot air out, as he slumped his back into the back of the chair.

          "So that's it then?" He complained to Marshall, who replied "It's because of the stupid rain. If it hadn't only rained, maybe Cap'n would've kept us."

          The two looked at each other with teary eyes. They were smiling, but that is not what they apprise; these smiles were broken and had a sense that made their closure more easier. This last smile might be their last time seeing each other (and maybe Horatio). It may have been just a day that they have gotten together, but they've already set their minds into spending their lives with them for quite a long time. None of them had expected that this chapter would end so abruptly.

          Who knew, that in a course of a day, in that short period of time, you could love someone equally to someone you've known for a long time? Human emotions are sometimes truly complex to understand a single thing.

»»——⍟——««

          As the wind blows softer, and the crashing of waves minuends by every moment. The world became smaller and slowly caves in. The place that used to have open doors for opportunities had been shunned into a singular entranceway instead.

          By the bays of some town, there stood Horatio with a young dally — it being carried onto one of his arms, and a child — his hands resting comfortingly onto his shoulder.

          Negotiations were being discussed, and soon will they bid their farewells not too long.

          "Alright you two, this will be your new home. I'll come back every so and then to visit you." Tells the man as he knelt onto the ground to level himself with the two.

          All they could do was look up at him helplessly, without power could they disagree with his decisions. It was for the betterment of their lives, in the previous terra-firma, no one had seemed to have a soft heart to adopt them.

          "Horatio, please don't go.." Begged Jake and Marshall — it was all they could do to hopefully reconstruct his final cogitation. Though no matter how much they pleaded, the morning simply ended with bitter goodbyes.

          With that said, as he rode on his boat, the boat's silhouette gradually vanished onto the horizon, eating their dear Horatio along with it. Soon, all they could see was the clear and blinding sunlight that ever rises.

          It was a new chapter for them, but their inceptions were soiled with fruitless expanse; one way to find out? Begin.