A Truly Egg-cellnt Hatchning - A New Epohh Is Upon Us

[missrecalled_mods]

As many may recall, not that long ago a bunch of mysterious eggs appeared. For several days there was a lot of fun hunting for eggs, trying to figure out where they came from. There were art contests and games and there was fun. Everything in Auradon could be an excuse for a celebration after all. Espcially with Sylvando in charge of morale.

But then, for many, the time passed and the brightly coloured eggs were forgotten. They lay on dressers and desks or under piles of laundry. Just part of the world.

Then one warm sunny noon it began. An egg outside started to shake. Unnoticed under a bush, warmed by the rock it leaned against, the egg shook more and more before cracking down the middle.

A small squirming creature emerged. It was the first. But...

It was not alone for long. All over Auradon, over the next few days the eggs hatched. The ones outside that were never found. The ones in the Castle the Queen had been studying. The ones in the school. In the dorms.

There was a pattern to what colour creatures came from which eggs. But other from that? Some stayed near people, some ran off to hide, indoors or outdoors, wherever they could.

And cute as they are, some became a problem. Because some of them... found the kitchen. And this is Auradon. Where kitchens could be staffed by mice, birds, talking tea pots... so there are ways even for small creatures to get into pretty much anything. Including the dwindling remaining supplies....

As to what the creatures are... if asked the King will say they weren't native to Auradon, and so he wasn't sure. But the Queen... she said they looked familiar, like something she had seen recently. If only she could remember where...

Comments

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki shrugged and gave a weak smile. "At least until I can get my shields back up?" He wasn't optimistic though. And besides, maybe he could work on filtering out her feelings without filtering out animals? He could at least try.

[aquawayfinder]

She nodded. "Is there something I can do to help? Short or long term?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki shook his head. "You've already helped a lot. I think just... seeing how it goes is the only thing to do."

[aquawayfinder]

Aqua gave him a warm hug with an arm around his shoulders. "You are stronger than you realize, Enki. And this is a safer way to practice than many we'd encounter."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki sighed. "I.. don't know about that," he mumbled. Though which part he meant was unclear. "But I'm ready anyway." It probably helped that he had an Epohh to pet.

[aquawayfinder]

"Well I do, she said, comfortingly.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

He shrugged, but didn't have a reply to that. All he could do was follow her lead and listen for any other Epohhir.

[missrecalled_npcs]

And eventually they would find Ben, sitting on the lawn with a lap desk, getting some work done. He was using one of the eggs as a paperweight.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

As they approached, Enki muted his listening, particularly trying to focus on zoning out anything that felt vaguely like a person without restoring his shield. Depending how that went he'd just restore the shield.

"Jolan'tru," he said as he approached with Aqua, doing so early enough to hopefully avoid startling Ben.

[aquawayfinder]

Aqua summoned her Keyblade and crossed it over her chest and bowed. "Good morning."

Ben gave them both a polite nod. "What can I do for you two?" he asked.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki rubbed the back of his neck with one hand and held up the small Epohh with the other. "I'm... worried there may be more Epohhir showing up. This little one is not even the same breed as either one that showed up with me."

[missrecalled_npcs]

"I see, do you think this is like the birds and the flowers recently? Or more like the way that you have all shown up to join us?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"I don't know. I just want to err on the side of caution. If there's going to be a lot of them we should probably catch as many as we can, just in case they don't disappear. I mean, they're rodents, and they don't have the same level of intelligence a lot of the animals here seem to have. I um, I just don't want them to cause any harm to your ecosystem or to get hurt either."

[missrecalled_npcs]

Ben nodded and started to speak, but was distracted by the paperweight on his lap desk rocking... He turned to stare at it as it slowly started to hatch...

[under_the_raptors_wings]

That drew Enki's attention as well and he looked at the hatching egg, stunned and quiet for a moment as he pet the Epohh he was holding. "Well umm, at least that should mean a lot of them were gathered already?"

[missrecalled_npcs]

Ben actually paled slightly. "What... exactly do they need to be healthy and well cared for, Enki?" he asked, concerned, eyes on the hatching egg.

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"I um, I don't know if we have all the resources we need yet, is the problem. For now umm... I think we just have to worry about collecting them and finding somewhere to keep them. I can... figure out how to keep them healthy after." One thing at a time. Especially when that one thing involved so much.

[missrecalled_npcs]

"How much space do they need? Should we be building some sort of enclosure for them, or is it better to let them run wild?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"Enclosures, definitely at least a couple enclosures. They're wild on Mol'Rihan, but they aren't an invasive species there. Here they might be. Maybe your world could adapt to them and it wouldn't be a problem... but I uh I don't want to chance it."

[missrecalled_npcs]

He nodded. "Agreed. What materials and size would be appropriate to keep them safe and healthy? And do they need to be separated or can they be kept together?"

[under_the_raptors_wings]

"Together should be fine for now, and that, uhh, well. We'll have to see how many there are beyond the eggs we know about for anything long term. But I'll start working on ideas for now with what I have available. Maybe I could make one of the rooms for lessons more Epohh friendly?" And Epohh proof. He didn't really want to have them destroy anything or escape... or chew electrical wiring. "We could probably collect some of the weed and bush cuttings to put in with them for now too."

[missrecalled_npcs]

Ben nodded. "Clearing a classroom will be faster than building something, at last for the short term. Or the second ballroom in the school, it has large skylights, so they could still get sun."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki considered this, looking down at the now two Epohhir. "Ie, that just might work better over all too. It has more possible escapes to block, but less stuff to clear out and more space for them. We umm, we should let everyone know where we're gathering them I guess? And I can get to work setting it up."

[missrecalled_npcs]

"A good idea. And that will be more people to help us close off the entrances. Do you know where it is? If so you can bring these little ones there now while I send out the message."

[under_the_raptors_wings]

Enki nodded and scooped up the second Epohh. "Ie. I do. And umm, thank you." He gave a smile before heading that way, not sure if Aqua would follow or try to round up Epohhir, but not waiting to see either. The sooner he got the ballroom ready, the better.