"Come visit Puplantis! She said. There's plenty of material I could use she said."
He grumbled and barked as he walked up along the shore on seal island. Even with his sub out of commission, his wet suit and helmet worked just fine thankfully. His lack of judgment had slipped. He knew Coral meant well, there really was some material he could use to rebuild his sub but he should have known there were other reasons why she wanted him to visit his home town under the sea.
"Just a fifteen minute run! That's what she said. Oh, and there just so happened to have another celebration happening in town! What a coincidence! Can you believe that McSquidly?"
His squid companion scuttled near by and squeaked in response. Seeming disappointed that he couldn't stay just a little longer. The squid knew Moby well. His displeasure at the constant singing and dancing under the sea brought him nothing but issues. The squid didn't fully understand why but he obliged his friend regardless. The Portuguese water dog stopped mid pace and brought a paw to his helmet. From where he stood, he could make out the small cove he called home. At least when Coral and a certain chocolate lab weren't mapping parts of the ocean out in there. Moby enjoyed the arrangement he had with Coral. How she, Captain Turbot, and Zuma would use this station to chart out the sea. If Moby would assist in building the tech inside and prep their equipment, then he was was allowed to live here away from Puplantis and work on his personal projects. It was fine, Great even. He had found himself learning to have a lot more patience for others. He even found himself getting acquainted with Zuma's partner. The recycle pup being great fun to talk too. Seeming to appreciate Moby's handy work with machines and repair. He only wished he was more available to talk too but the mixed breed had his own priorities back home. In any case, Moby had found some solace in the position he was in. He just couldn't figure out why Coral was so insistent to having him visit Puplantis anyway?
"The merpups miss you!"
Moby remembered the last thing she said before he took off in a huff. The looks the other merpups would give him and his inventions. The way he refused to switch to his merpup form. How they always tried to get him to do things he didn't want too.
He scoffed. "Sure they do Coral. Sure they do."
He tried not to let the feeling overwhelm him but his mind kept racing. He voiced his grievances out loud towards Mcsquidly.
"I like being up here. I like walking on all four. Why does Coral have to be so....UGH!"
He kicked some sand, A low hissing echoing in his ears. His heart began to race. He did his best to settle down.
"She's just trying to help. Trying to be...friendly."
His thought went back to the eyes of the other merpups. How they judged him. Could they blame him for acting out before?
"It wasn't one hundred percent my fault though! It was their insistent music and swimming and...and..."
Moby felt his chest tighten at the thought. He heard a voices echo outside and inside his helmet, it stung his ears and forced him to clench his jaw. He threw off his helmet and was about to ask Mcsquidly to grab his headphones. He craved the silence, he needed it right now. Only to notice something out of place by the cove. Where his sub would have been parked sat a boat that bobbled against the shore.
"Hello?...Hello!"
"What the?"
Moby listened. Between the calm waves of the ocean, a voice carried itself along. Turns out it wasn't just in his head. He followed the voice along t he opening to his cove and smirked at what he saw. After some turbulent events had transpired at his home, Moby had set up a trap or two when ever he had to step away.
"Wow, What a hole!"
Arrby stared up from the large pit he found himself in. He was a pup who had quite a lot of experience in digging holes. This was no ordinary pit though. Lined with gravel than dirt. The pup couldn't dig himself out, let alone climb out due to his short stature. He worriedly looked to the stuff he he had brought with him. Hoping everything wasn't too destroyed. Up till he felt something tug him quickly out of the hole. Arrby jumped and found himself lifted in the air, a mechanical tentacle arm holding him up. That arm was connected to a pup. One the pirate had recognized briefly. He had interacted with him once. With Captain Sid speaking a forced apology for taking his sub. Arrby remembered the scowl he gave the pair. It matched the current face he gave now. Despite that, Arrby couldn't help but admire his other features. His brown and white fur, The blue streak that parted one side of his head. His light blue eyes that complimented it. Arrby's tail wagged.
"Bow wow wee, Looky what we have here Mcsquidly."
The squid companion jumped on Moby's back. Lifting his arms up defensively.
"Howdy there mister pup sir and squid. You might not remember me but..."
"Hmmm let's see" Moby pulled the pup close to him. His eyes and snout inches from his. Arrby clammed up at being so close.
"I remembered a pirate pup and his no good captain taking my sub and wrecking it!"
https://inkbunny.net/s/3513020"Yeah...We did do that...but...."
"What? You thought you could just barge in here and take something else? I had a feeling you'd come back so I set up a few traps for you both!"
"That explains the pit. Little low brow but...."
Moby glared further and Arrby stammered.
"Clever! I mean....really smart but I didn't come here to take something."
"Uh huh" Moby had the urge to reel his tentacle back throw the pup out to sea.
"No really! The reason why I came was to give you that."
Arrby pointed into the pit. Moby gave McSquidly a nod and the Cephalopod leaped down to retrieve what was down there. Arrby shuffled his front paws together nervously. His hind legs dangling precariously in the air.
"I couldn't bring you much without Captain boss mister Sid sir throwing a fit but I scrounge up what I could and well..."
The squid lifted up what appeared to be a wicker basket. It had a few bags and boxes that were jostled from the fall. Otherwise it was mostly in tact. Moby eyed it and the pirate curiously.
"What the heck is this?"
"A gift basket. It has some pup snacks! Plus some another stuff you could use...kind of use."
Arrby looked away in embarrassment. Having trouble locking eyes with the pup in front of him. He spoke up eventually.
"I know it doesn't fix what we did but I'm really really sorry."
Moby's eye twitched in genuine confusion.
"Why?" Was the only thing Moby could mutter out.
"Because it was wrong."
"I mean yeah but your a pirate. Isn't taking things that don't belong to you what pirates do?"
Arrby shrugged his shoulders.
"Sometimes Captain Sid takes things a little too far. So If there is something we do that's really bad. I try to make up for it. Even if it's just an apology. I don't want everyone thinking I'm a bad pup I guess."
Moby raised an eye brow at that. He didn't say it aloud but he knew how Arrby felt. Least the pirate was trying to do the right thing. Dog knows, Moby has tried too. He looked at what remained of the gift basket and gently plopped the Dachshund on the sand. McSquidly looked at Moby before the pup motioned for him to return to the cove with the gift.
"I don't completely forgive you but....I'm hungry. We don't have much at the cove right now so some of these pup treats will do nicely. So...thanks.
"No problem." Arrby said, his tail wagging a little.
Moby coldly turned away.
"Don't let me catch you out here again."
With that, the pup walked back into the cove.
The pirate sighed. It wasn't exactly the response he was hoping for but he accepted it and made his way back to his boat.
Moby sat on his bed. Munching on a pup treat, it was pretty good. Even if it was bit sandy. He kept thinking about the pirate pup and what he had said. He had raised his eyebrow at the blinking light on the radar towards the wall. He lifted his head up and noticed storm warning had been called for Adventure bay. No rain but turbulent winds and waves abound. That didn't really bother him too much, He could just stay nice and cozy in his cove. Maybe work on a gadget or two in the mean time. Though a thought did make him worry slightly.
"That pup, He rowed all the way out here didn't he?"
Moby grinded his teeth and looked back the radar that blinked on the wall. Mcsquidly gave out a concerned squeak and Moby shrugged.
"He should have know better than to paddle out here. Just to apologize to me."
He could leave him out there, He had done selfish things like that before. He could do nothing. Couldn't he?
I don't want everyone thinking I'm a bad pup I guess."
Moby thought back on the words he had said. He thought back to the day Coral offered him have space to himself. How he let Rocky help him build something in his new home. They all gave him chances and they worked out well. This pirate was trying to do the right thing. No matter how it small.
The Radar pulsed on the wall.
Arrby prepared himself for rough waters ahead. He already had his life jacket on and paddle as steady he could. Every wave that he strode through got larger and more aggressive.
"Whoa whoa! Easy Arrby! Don't go over board now."
He wished he could have taken the full ship out here but it was also out of commission after that whole fiasco with Moby's sub. It was the entire reason he was out here. He just wanted to make things right with the grumpy pup. He had always did his due diligence to repay back those he and Sid had inadvertently hurt. Whether it was delivering Mayor Goodway some flowers or Helping Captain Turbot tow his boat back to the bay. All the things Sid wouldn't do, Arrby did. Not just because he wanted too but because it was right. Arrby's thoughts had distracted him from a large wave that had shoved his dingy off balance. He did his best to hold on but slipped. Falling into the sea. Luckily having his life jacket handy but he felt himself being shoved by the waves. He immediately clicked in pup tag.
"Captian! Captain Boss mister....SID! Mayday Mayday!"
He jumped at the feeling of something wrapping itself around his lower half under the water. He was sure some sort of sea creature had decided he was snack and was going to pull him under. Soon enough he found himself being pushed back towards the shore of Seal island. The pup scampered on the sand and before falling on his back. He looked up to see a familiar pup walk out of the water and pull his helmet off.
"You alright?"
Arrby wiped his snout and looked up at the pup. The real concern on the brown and white pup's face was very different from the stern look he had before.
"Yeah...I'm good."
"Good."
The pup collapsed on the beach next to him. To his surprise, he then pulled out a pair of earphones and slipped them on. Closing his eyes and crossing his paws in front of him. His breathing low. Arrby wanted to inquire further but felt like it'd be rude to interrupt whatever he was doing. Plus with the scare that he just had, Arrby didn't mind just lying down for a moment. The pair laid by the shore, their hind paws being tickled by the approaching tide. It felt like twenty minutes had gone by. The silence sometimes being cut by the sound of waves or the wind blowing by. It was pleasant feeling.
"What's your name?"
Arrby jumped at the sudden question. Seeing the pup had removed his headphones and staring at him.
"I'm Arrby."
He nodded in response.
"I'm Moby."
The pirate tilted his head and began to laugh.
"No way, We're like a few letters away from having the same name."
Moby smirked. Keeping his thoughts to himself.
"That's kind of cringe."
"Whoa! Now this is a hide out!"
"If you could even call it that." Moby said.
The pirate pup admired the tech and lights that adorned the small cavern.
"I know another pup who lives in cave but his isn't as advanced like yours! These radars? With GPS tech built in? OH! And is this where you route your electricity too?"
Arrby leapt from one thing to the other. Moby was kind of surprised how much the pirate knew of this type of tech. Though he was a little overwhelmed at the pup's curiosity.
"Yeah, It's powered by the water that flows under the bottom of the cove."
"That's soo cool! So are you a Paw Patrol member too?"
Moby choked back laughter, His squid friend also squelching in response.
"Hahaha! No." He said flatly.
"Oh, I just assumed since I saw you with the other pups when I..."
Arrby hesitated bringing up the day he and Sid stole his sub but Moby rolled his eyes.
"Nah, Those are Coral's friends, I'm more like acquaintances with them."
"Right, And that other pup, Coral, hangs out here too?"
"Some times yeah."
"Is she your girlfriend?"
Wahh?!"
Moby turned crimson at that. McSquidly couldn't help but squeak out in laughter. The pup growled at the squid and tried to hide his blush.
"NO! I mean...I haven't...Maybe I have considered but...Bleh!"
Mcsquidly squeaked out a replied. Something along the lines of "They are very different personalities from one another."
Arrby nodded at the mollusk. "Ahhh gotcha. Sorry about the assumption."
"It's fine, It's just.." Moby paused and turned towards the pirate in surprise.
"Wait, You...understood Mcsquidly?"
"Oh yeah. Being out on the sea so much, I can speak to a few aquatic creatures. Though I'm trying to very up my species talk. More recently I've taken up learning to speak Meerkat."
Arrby let out a few bizarre chirps and clicks. The aquatic pair didn't really understand what he had said.
"Huh. You're kind of a impressive little pirate"
Arrby bit his lips in embarrassment. "I was going to say the same thing about you. Making all this stuff on your own is pretty cool."
"Thanks."
"So do you have hang out here on your own?"
"Preferably. Some peace and quiet is always preferred."
"Oh sorry, I can leave..."
"Ain't no way I'm letting you leave on that plank of wood you call a dingy in those waves."
Not seeing how Arrby could retrieve his boat anyway. It was long out to sea at this point.
"Well, I'm Sure Captain Sid is already on his way here to pick me up."
"Cool, You can just wait it out with me for now."
"I appreciate it. Thanks for saving me earlier."
Moby turned his gaze away.
"Don't be...I almost left you out there."
He said almost scornfully. It didn't feel good to admit to the smaller pup but Arrby didn't seem to bothered.
"But you didn't and that's what counts."
Moby shook his head.
"Sure it does."
Moby walked over to his work bench, Glaringly working on some blueprints. Arrby titled his head curiously at the pup. He gave McSquidly a look who shrugged in response that said "He gets like this sometimes." Arrby trotted over next to him.
"I take you don't really believe in one good deed erasing another huh?"
Moby looked at him for a second before returning to his work.
"Nah, not really. Especially if you have rep sheet like mine."
"Ah, A bad pup too? Like me?"
Moby smirked towards the pup. Outside of being a pirate, he couldn't really see Arrby being that bad.
"A little more than just taking things that don't belong to me."
"Try me." Arrby grinned. Moby didn't smile back.
"Eh...Too many to list, Me being here is kind of penance for that. I suppose that doesn't really fix what I did but...Dang it!"
His pencil had snapped in his grasp. He was pretty close to throwing the entire specs away but hesitated. He beathed in and let out a slow breath.
"It's the best for everyone this way"
Moby didn't take his eyes off his work and Arrby didn't respond for a good while.
"If you say so, but even just being kind can be penance too. Like offering a helping hand or saving a pup you don't know."
He lifted a pencil sharpener towards him, Moby kept his gaze on his work. Lifting a tentacle up and taking it from him.
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"Do you mind if I keep working? I'm not trying to be rude but it helps me...cope."
Arrby thought back to their quiet moment on the bench and smiled warmly.
"Not a problem"
Moby was about to slip his headphones back on before adding.
"When I'm done with the blue prints, I might start working on a base model. You can lend a hand or uh..,paw with that if you're interested."
Arrby beamed at him.
"Sure, I know you have twelve hands already counting the ten your buddy has."
Mcsquidly squeaked at the pair, already holding several tools on stand by. Getting genuine laugh from Moby.
"Whats better than fourteen of em?"
"Yarrrr! Arrby! You know better than to venture out here by yourself! Let alone consorting with the enemy!"
"Sorry Captain boss mister Sid sir. I was just..."
Arrby Stalled. Sid had taken one of their last dinghies out here to rescue him, but Arrby hadn't exactly told Sid of the good deeds he was doing around the bay
"Just checking out the areas near by to bury treasure."
"Eyy good eye on ya pup but you gots to be more careful! What if the Paw Patrol caught ya out here?"
Arrby shrugged, doubting they would cause him any trouble.
"I'd handle it, Plus he wasn't a Paw patrol member. Just a new pup a I met. Actually I made a few friends I'd.."
"Har har har! Very cleaver pup. Making friends to eye their booty."
"I wasn't eyeing their...booty."
The pirate gawked at the assumption that Arrby would take advantage of the new friend he just made. Let alone use of that word in context.
"Regardless, we still got my ship to fix up. My arms are getting tired from rowing everywhere! I need need NEED my ship up and running again!"
The smaller pup sighed low and lean into his captain side.
"Don't worry Captain. We'll get it back in shape in no time."
He really did want to help his captain fix the ship but he was having a productive few nights lately. Especially with having a proper meeting with this pup Moby. He found him incredibly interesting. Plus he made promise to him just before being picked up.
Back at the cove, Moby had continued to work on his inventions quietly. Though he was sure to obtain Arrby's pup tag frequency prior to his departure. He found the pirate quite engaging. Moby couldn't help feeling a bit proud of himself. Now he's got another friend under his belt. His peace was disturbed briefly by the sound of a familiar cockapoo, humming a melody he no doubt guessed came from Puplantis. She took a few steps before hesitating. Calling out before hand.
"Moby, Is it ok if I step in?"
The pup sighed, happy that Coral remembered to ask first before disturbing him.
"You may."
The cockapoo eagerly walked towards the back of the cove. Greeting him happily.
"Moby! Glad to see you made it back safely!"
"Uh huh."
"Just keeping to yourself here with Mcsquidly?"
"Yep"
He kept his answers short. Not meaning to be dismissive but having one pup here for a few hours was draining enough. Coral rubbed one of her paws nervously.
"Listen bout what happened earlier...in Puplantis."
"It's fine. Really. I know you were only trying to help."
"Still though."
Moby hated the awkwardness he felt and quickly shifted gears.
"I made a friend."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. The pirate who took my sub. Arrby. Said he wanted to make it up to me so...He's gonna help me fix it."
"That's such great news!"
"Yeah..." Recoiling at her over zealousness.
Coral turned it down a few notches before following up with.
"That's great. I'm proud of you Moby."
He couldn't help but let his tail wag at hearing that.
"Well, I won't bug ya for too long. Just came to grab a map for Captain Turbot. Zuma should be here sometime, Rocky might come by too."
"Oh?! I mean...Oh cool I guess."
The cockapoo didn't pry at her friends sudden eagerness. She carefully looked at of the rolled up maps set to one side before grabbing it and heading back out. She stop in place and turned towards Moby.
"They...really do miss you. The Merpups. You could visit if you wanted."
Moby wanted to roll his eyes but held back.
"Yeah. Maybe later."
Coral looked unsure but didn't press any further. With that she left the cove and Moby returned to his work. He fastened out a small prototype of his new sub. With a few recommendations from Arrby. Oh, he'd return to Puplantis alright but only for supplies he needed. Least he'd have a confident pup to assist him. Arrby had mentioned to him about visiting the under water city once. So Moby arrange that they go down there together to scout for material. He could probably have asked Rocky to help him make a new sub prior to the pirate pups next visit but Moby really wanted Arrby's help with this. He looked forward to their next adventure.
"I probably should have told him about being a merpup though. Right McSquidly?"
Mcsquidly rolled his eyes. Moby didn't need him to say anything to understand what he meant.
"You think?"
