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cyberaxolotl · 5 months

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Oh, The Blue, Blue Water: Chapter 1, Newtport and Reefburg

Bugsnax Merpeople AU Fanfic

Warnings: N/A

See AO3 Version for more specific tagging

Illustrations: 0

Words: 4.7k

Fic below the cut

Grumpus-kind never truly considered that there could be fully intelligent life aside from them. Rumors of grumpus-like beings but with lower halves of snakes or sea creatures were dismissed as fairy tales, becoming folklore to some, but deemed absurd by most scientists. Grumpuses with little interest in the ocean especially dismissed part-grumpus aquatic beings as fantasy, while those who did study the ocean considered it more, but still dismissed it until solid proof could be found.

A few states off from New Grump state was Falls Island, and on the coast of Falls Island was a town that specialized in oceanic endeavors; Newtport. Newtport was a hotspot for sailing, fishing, oceanography, diving, marine biology, and everything else you could want from a town on the edge of an open ocean. Almost everyone there owned a boat, kayak, canoe, or some form of water travel.

Several of the notable organizations in Newtport were the Newtport Marine Center, where science and studies took place in a private laboratory, as well as Wildlife Restoration of Newtport, the building for a non-profit organization dedicated to helping wildlife and cleaning the ocean.

Gramble had just walked into the building, carrying a bucket full of plastic, metal, and glass waste. “Jeez, Gramble!” He heard a coworker say to him, “Is ALL of that from the bay?”

He sighed, looking down into it. “It is, and there's more.” He walked through the room, walking up to a room labeled “storage.”

“I heard that all of that trash came from a college party. A bunch of young adults got drunk out of their minds and left all the trash there, would you believe it?” His coworker, Arinata, looked stressed. “I’d help, but we’ve got a diver coming to get a permit for the area, and I need to be here when she gets here.”

He turned away from the doorway. “Is Minette here? She usually helps out.”

“Minette’s busy taking a delivery to the recycling plant, it’s why the storage bins are all empty.” Gramble looked into the room he was next to, seeing that the five bins labeled metal, plastic, glass, electronic, and paper, were all empty. “And, uh, after you dump all of that, we got a request from the Marine Center.” She called out to him as he entered the storage room.

“What’s goin’ on?” He called back while sorting through the bucket of waste.

“They want us to bring in some of those parasites, the ones that are attacking the crustaceans. They’re looking for a way to prevent them and need samples from us.” Arinata explained, leaning over the front desk to look into the room. “You’re always removing parasites anyway, aren’t you?”

“I try to, when I find ‘em. How many do they need?”

“Uh, five, I think. Let me double-check.” He heard the wheels of an office chair followed by the clicking of a computer. “Yeah, it’s five. Can you get that by the end of the week?”

“I’ll see how many I can get today, I was too focused on the trash to look for any, but I should be able to do it.” He smiled to himself as he dumped the last of the trash into the bins, then walked back out.

“Thanks a lot, Gramble. I can't imagine the organization without someone as passionate about this as you are.” She smiled at him as he walked up to the desk.

“Oh, I just love animals ‘s all.” He waved his paw down at her, “It’s easy to do this job when I’ve read books about it since I was a kid.”

“We all appreciate your contributions so much, I hope you know that. You’re more paws-on about this than anyone else.” Before she could continue, a bell chimed, signaling the opening of the front door. She cleared her throat as she turned her chair, “Hello, welcome to Wildlife Restoration of Newtport!”

“G’day! I’m here for a diving permit?” She asked as she came up to the desk.

“Oh, you must be Elizabert! We were told by the divers union that you’d be coming, so here, let me look for your information.” Arinata turned to the computer, and Gramble took that as his cue to return to the bay, only hearing the start of the conversation. “You’re here for map-making and ecosystem surveying…”

The wildlife center was on a cliff above the shore, making it easy for the group to go up and down from the beach. Gramble spent most of his time down there, picking up scraps and looking over any creature that did not belong, or was otherwise hurt. It was, most often, just removing parasites from crustaceans or sending beached yet alive animals back into the water.

And even when he wasn’t playing his part at the organization, he was still looking after wildlife. On weekends he’d take his small boat out on the open ocean and watch the animals out on the sea, not disturbing them, not going in, only watching and sketching.

Elizabert was like that too.

“You’re here for map-making and ecosystem surveying, right?” Arinata asked, looking at her laptop.

“And recreation, but only once I’ve gotten my job done.” Lizbert nodded.

“Great, can I see your diving license?” The worker held her paw out. The explorer dug through her pocket, then handed over a small slip of plastic. “Thank you, let me jot all this down…” She hummed as she typed down some information. “How long have you been diving for?”

“Professionally? Thirteen years, but I’d go recreationally with my family as a kid. I’ve loved the thrill of adventure for as long as I can remember.” She smiled as she recounted her past years.

“Oh, that sounds lovely! I’m sure you’ve read up on the local fauna and know what to expect underwater?” Arinata could only give her a glance as she continued typing.

“Yup! I know pretty much what to expect for my first dive session here.” Lizbert nodded.

“Wonderful… You’re all set.” The worker put the license on the counter. “Have fun diving, and remember to clean up whatever you can!”

“Will do!” The diver pocketed her license and walked off, leaving the building to fall into silence.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Newtport Marine Center was hard at work. There were meetings happening on one floor, research happening on another, and scientists getting ready for boating trips on the dock outside the building. Floofty had several written notes in their paws as they got out of a boat, hurrying towards the building. The cold wind nipped at their fur, and they were eager to get their lab coat back on and digitalize those notes.

“Floofty!” Before they could get downstairs, someone called for them.

“Ditzie.” They greeted, turning to face him.

“I know you just got back from a boating trip, but we’re gonna need you upstairs.” He held a paw up to them, “We just got video footage back from as deep as the twilight zone, and the directors want you up there to review it.”

“...Tch.” They grunted. “Do I have time to give these to somebody?” They held up their notes.

“Go ahead, just be up in meeting room D in ten minutes!” With that, their fellow scientist stepped back and ran off.

They turned around to go downstairs, hurrying down the steps. They didn’t really have a desk space to themself, but they did have a laptop of their own, and one grumpus they trusted. Opening up their laptop, they opened up a document, then looked around. “Cora?” They called a girl nearby.

“Oh-? Yes, Floofty?” The coral-red grumpus turned to them.

“I’m needed in a meeting room, can you copy these notes into this document?” They asked, holding out the papers. “Shut it down when you’re done, I don’t need imbeciles stealing my work.”

“Now, you don't need to be calling anybody names, but sure!” She took the notes from them. “Are these from the boating trip you just went on?”

“Indeed they are. My thanks, Cora.” With that, Floofty walked past her. Or, started to.

“Ah, before you go, Floofty!” Once again, they were stopped in their tracks. “Did you hear about the rumors again? Ditzie thinks mermaids are real.”

“Of course Ditzie thinks that. He’s Ditzie.” They looked over their shoulder. “What does it have to do with me?”

“Well, what do YOU think about mermaids? I think it’s possible, grumpuses already come in many different types, but I also think it’s improbable. Especially given the advancements in technology and how we monitor the ocean, I doubt we’d have gone so long without seeing them.” She explained, holding their notes under her arm.

“Whether mermaids are real or not is not my concern until someone who’s concerned with finding them does. But if they are real, I doubt they’d be what we picture as “mermaids.”” They motioned with their paws, “All traditionally attractive women with the same emerald green lower bodies is unlikely, and I’d dare to say impossible if I didn’t know better.”

“That’s what I was thinking too, but yeah, when they probably aren’t real in the first place, I’m not gonna spend my time looking for them. Thank you for your time, I’ll go copy these down.” With that, Cora walked away, letting them walk away as well.

The workplace always kept Floofty busy, whether they liked it or not, they were one of the most focused and experienced scientists there. They had trained themself to be able to write without looking, and that, alongside their background in biology, made them an invaluable worker. As such, their hours were full and busy, leaving little time for leisure.

They could hear the distant bells of hunting ships docking as they headed upstairs.

One of those ships was home to a crew of sailors who fished and set crab traps, supplying the local seafood industry. “Good haul today, grumps!” The lady in charge yelled, an elderly woman, but very capable. Harpila had been sailing the seas for most of her life, and had only recently settled into a more industrial job. Walking down the ship, she gave her crew lively pats on the back. “I think we’re good for quite a while now. Wambus?” She stopped by someone.

Wambus turned around, holding a crate of fish in his arms. He had been looking for oceanic jobs like that for a while, and eventually found his way to Harpila’s crew. “Captain Harpila.” He greeted her.

“You’ve been doing very well recently, I’m pleased. Do you have a family that you’re doing all of this work for?” She asked.

“Captain, I know most of these grumps are fathers and husbands, you don’t gotta rub it in. I do this work to carry myself.” He sighed, looking past her.

“I’m not bringing you down, cariño, but men like you should be doing bigger things when they don’t have anything to go back to. Especially at your age.” Harpila looked away, her ears twitching. “Ah, I shouldn’t be pushing it when this crew needs you. I’m not asking you to leave.”

“Do YOU have a family that you’re doin’ this for?” Wambus questioned, raising an eyebrow at her.

“I’m old, boy, I’m not doing this for anybody but myself anymore.” She turned away, walking a bit past him. “My family has passed, and my days to find love are over, unless Mother Naturae sends me an angel… Aha, maybe even an angel from the sea.” She looked out at the ocean. “If you want someone, I’m sure you’ll find them, but I’m saying that there should be something that you’re passionate about.”

“I’m just fine livin’ like this.” Walking with her, the two reached the exit off of the boat.

“Then live your best life like this.” With that, she descended the stairs alongside her crew.

Wambus huffed as he followed her, looking distantly away. He had inherited a farm in the western parts of New Jamsey, but after it turned into a bust and he lost the property, he turned to the only place he could; Newtport. He was lucky to have met Harpila at the time he had.

“Oh look, the big boats are docking.” A melodic voice said, out on the ocean.

“I saw them use that big net to get a whole school of salmon. Would you believe it?” A sassier voice said, “I should be eating those fish, not them!”

“Beff!” A wimpier voice replied, “You can’t- or, no, nevermind, I’ve seen you eat almost a whole school of fish before.”

“Those were sardines, Filbo, they don’t count. They’re hardly a meal even for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re a stingray, darling, I doubt you have much room for fish in you at all.”

“I’m a MANTA ray, Wiggle, I’m the manta mayor!” He turned around, descending from the rocks they held onto and slipping into the ocean, then motioning for the other two to follow him.

They dropped down next to him with a splash. “What’s the difference, are all manta rays big wimps?” Beffica snarked, giggling.

“No, I- I don’t have a stinger!” Filbo cried as the three descended into the ocean.

“Isn’t it better than being an orca?” Wiggle noted.

“Heeey, being like me is sweet! Other than the resurfacing to breathe.” The pink seagrump said, rolling her eyes.

“And being hungry all the time?” The blue seagrump prompted.

“I’m not hungry all the time, I just naturally need to hunt. They call us killer whales for a reason.” She turned to the orange seagrump, “At least I’m something unique and not just some random fish.”

Wiggle gasped in defense. “I am a STAR fish, thank you!”

“What? You’re not a starfish, you’re a betta.” Filbo chuckled.

“A star fish, darling, not a starfish.” She repeated.

“You said the same thing twice.” Beffica scoffed.

“Oh, for grumps sake, I’m a POPstar!” She whined as the three entered deeper waters. Taking a glance back at the surface, she mumbled, “I wonder if I could perform for the landgrumps one day.”

“You know why we don’t do that, Wiggle,” The mayor replied, “I have nightmares thinking about what might happen if they find us.” He squeaked anxiously.

“Yes, but I’m sure they’d love a good performance.” Wiggle smiled, clicking her claws together.

“They’d watch you and then scoop you up in their big net.” Beffica rolled her eyes, “I’m not scared about it like Filbo and that hermit are, but you’re not gonna find me singing to the air.”

“That hermit has a name, Beff.” Filbo corrected, “…I haven’t HEARD his name in a long time, but he has one.”

She stuck out her tongue at him and swam away, turning towards a rocky, mossy wall. “I need to get some bubbles before I drown.” She said all too casually, and then disappeared underneath a crack in the rocks.

Filbo and Wiggle followed her, going underneath a hood of rocks, and then being greeted by a drop-off. Going through the drop-off, they were in a cave, lit by bioluminescent plants and decorated by coral and kelp. A driftwood sign held up by kelp read “Reefburg.”

“We’re back from land-watching!” The mayor called out, descending upon the town. Beffica had already made her way to the center of town, to a patch of anemones blowing bubbles, and was scooping up handfuls of air.

A green seagrump turned around the corner. “Heeeey, I was wondering where you three were!” He greeted them, coming out fully and revealing a mantis-shrimp lower body.

“Nice to see you in town, Chandlo!” Filbo said as they swam up to each other. “How are you and…” He tapped his paws together, “…The axolotl..?”

“Snorpy and I are good, he’s the same as usual. We’re figuring out what we wanna do for winter and getting ready.” The muscular seagrump explained, motioning at a bag full of seaweed that he carried.

“Does it really change that much when you’re that deep underwater?” The mayor questioned.

“Changes enough that we’d be asleep all winter if we didn’t.” Chandlo shrugged, “I think we can try to catch you guys while you’re all moving!”

“That sounds good! We haven’t figured out our plans as a town yet, but I think it’ll be the same as last year,” Filbo turned away, “I need to get home, but come see me next time you come here, I bet you could come land-watch with us!”

“I’ll try to catch ya, dawg!” He gave his farewells, then turned away as well. There was one more thing he wanted to do during that time in Reefburg, and a tunnel through the sand was going to bring him to it. Leaving his bag of seaweed at the entrance, he descended into an ominous rocky pit.

It was a short swim through the tunnel, and he exited out into a big, dark space. There were jellyfish scattered around, glowing with cold blue light, but more importantly, a warmer light illuminated the figure of another seagrump.

“Shellsy!” He called out to her.

The elderly seagrump looked over her shoulder, the sea-glass on the ground reflecting the bioluminescent glow in her tail. “Ah, Chandlo, my child.” She greeted when she recognized him, turning around. Her lower half was that of a translucent sea angel’s, a duo of lights in the middle of and at the tip of her tail. “It’s been a while since you have stopped by.”

He swam up to her side, stopping next to her. “Sorry, Sheldawg, there’s been a lot going on.”

“I understand. Not many have as much time to meditate beneath the lights of the Mother.” She motioned broadly at the jellyfish in the room. She reached between the kelp that was wrapped around her chest, pulling out a golden pendant from one of the outer layers. “Do you have the time to sit and resonate?” She asked as she held it out to him, both of her paws clasped on it.

The pendant had a flower carved into it, one that neither of them recognized, and Shellsy believed it was something meaningful from the surface. He held it as well, “Only for a few minutes, I think.”

“That works, child, the Mother appreciates the effort of time spent.” They both held the pendant, the gold reflecting light onto the sea-glass, and the sea-glass reflecting colors into the dark space. Chandlo relaxed with a small smile, he felt very comfortable in the dark; he didn’t prefer it, but he’d gotten used to it, given him and Snorpy’s living conditions.

“Empty your mind…” Shellsy started, her voice low, “Picture yourself in the water, descending deeper, past the zone of sunlight, through the zone of twilight, and into the midnight. Do not feel cold, there is somebody right there with you.”

He took a deep breath, shoulders slacking. He heard the small clicks of his tail against sea-glass, unable to feel it through his exoskeleton, but fully hearing the sound.

“The Mother holds your paw in the darkest parts of our home. Do not feel the colossal squid of sorrows, you are protected so long as she is with you. You are safe, no matter how far you go.” Shellsy also took a deep breath, the glow of her tail dimming. “Meditate on this. Find a feeling of safety.”

They fell into silence in the darkness, holding the pendant, surrounded only by stones and jellyfish. The only sounds around them were the clicking of rocks, the movement of water… And the voices right above them.

“…Hmph.” Shellsy huffed as the minutes passed and it became impossible to ignore. “It’s times like this where I wish we weren’t beneath the Wigglebottom residence.” They both looked up at the rocky ceiling.

“I think it’s good that Wigdawg gets along with her sister.” Chandlo shrugged, hearing squeaky voices through the ceiling.

“Oh, yes, it is pleasant. It’s unusual for siblings with such an age difference to get along like that.” She took the pendant back as the other seagrump let it go. “I just wish getting along wasn’t roughhousing. Thank you for coming to meditate, my child.”

“Thanks for the guidance, I’ll come back earlier next time!” He turned away, swimming for the exit.

In the undersea home above, the Wigglebottom residence was bustling. “Come on, who’s the best big sister in the ocean~?” Wiggle had her little sister clutched against her, who was squirming and punching.

“Hmm, I don’t know!” Imimi giggled, “I think it’s Jess- daah-!” She squealed as she was flipped around, tussled through the water.

“Oh come on, you know it couldn’t be Jessany, try again!” The extravagant seagrump sang, keeping her eyes on her little sister.

“Why not? I’ve never heard Beffica complain about her big sis.” The little girl crossed her arms, “I’m sure she’d have a good shot for best big sister!”

“Imimi, swe-etie, does Jessany let her little sister have whatever snacks she wants without telling their parents?” The popstar lurched for her younger sister, picking her up and holding her close again.

“Beffica’s an adult, I think she does what she wants.” Imimi blew raspberries at her sister after she spoke.

Wiggle scoffed, “You are SO much like mom, it’s not even funny.” She groaned, getting a confused look back. “I just want some appreciation from my baby sister before she goes back home and I’m left all alone.”

“I’m not a baby!” The little girl pulled away, snapping around. “And you won’t be alone here, you have, uh…” She started, then stopped. After a pause, she put her paws on her hips. “Wow, you’re twenty-nine and you don’t have a boyfriend yet.”

The popstar gasped. “That is none of your- ough!” She crossed her arms and looked away, “You’re eleven and you haven’t dropped that attitude yet.”

“That doesn’t make any sense!”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Hello?” Wiggle called over.

The door opened to reveal a white, pink-tailed seagrump. “Is everything okay in here? I heard yelling.”

“Ah, yes Eggabell, we’re fine.” The popstar waved her paw at the doctor. “Imimi and I were just having a sisterly bonding moment.”

“Uh… Really? I thought I heard arguing.” Eggabell questioned, looking between them.

“Oh darling, we never argue.”

“Yes we do?” Imimi huffed in reply.

“We don’t argue, Imimi, we play-fight.” Wiggle glared at her sister.

“No, I think we argue.” The younger seagrump put her paws on her hips.

“When? When have we ever argued, sweetie?”

Suddenly, she smiled. “Right now.” She said, before swimming away to the upper floor.

Wiggle looked upwards, dumbfounded, and Eggabell looked on with wide eyes. “You- I… Snrk-!” The popstar started to giggle, turning to the doctor, “Siblings sure are something, aren’t they?”

“I’m an only child, unless you wanna count the nurse sharks I look after.” The white mergrump looked away.

“Ah, that explains it.” The betta squeaked, swishing her tail. “Trust me, darling, Imimi and I have a normal sisterly relationship.”

“We are ANYTHING but normal!” Imimi shouted from upstairs.

“I wasn’t TALKING TO YOU!” Wiggle shouted up, then turned back to Eggabell. “Very normal.”

“…Yeah.” The doctor muttered, closing the door and swimming away. “Oh- Chandlo!” She almost bumped into her fellow seagrump, “Are you leaving town already?”

“Eggabro, hey!” He greeted, and they gave each other a small hug. “I musta missed you, I’m on my way out.”

“Well, safe travels! I heard that it’s viperfish season right now.” She warned, holding her paws together.

He chuckled, “Viperfish are nothing on me, bro.” He signed hand-horns, biting his tongue.

“They’re still a little freaky, especially down in the dark.” She looked down, as though staring into the sea, but actually at the ground’s cloak of sand.

“…You’re a shark, Egg.”

“I-“ She paused, freezing up. “…Point taken! Swim safely, and tell Snorpy I hope he’s well.”

“I’ll try to catch you earlier next time I’m in town!” He waved her a goodbye, swimming off and out of Reefburg. He was going from cave to cave, but the difference was the descent from the sunlight zone to much deeper down.

It was a smooth descent out of Reefburg and down into the ocean, Chandlo seeing the fish and flora around him go from frequent, to sparser, to too dark to see clearly. The silhouettes of rock faces were his only indication that he was on the right path besides his distinct memory of the area. The transition from distant sunlight to deep blue waters was his signal: he had entered the twilight zone.

The soft glow of a lanternfish appeared nearby him, swimming away when his tail reflected the light back at it. The temporary light revealed a hitch in the rock face to him, and as he closely followed a crack, he knew he was almost home.

A pit of darkness gaped at him, a large, frightening sight. For a moment, he was filled with a primal fear, but it was overcome by a more welcoming sound: metal clanking. A sound that meant home.

Swimming inside, he saw the artificial glow of a lantern, something that his companion had made a long time ago. “Snoooooorpy~!” He called out, a smile coming onto his face.

He heard a soft gasp as he passed over one more wall of stone and entered their living space. Snorpy was curled into a corner, using a crude hammer with a driftwood handle on a piece of metal. “Ah- Chandlo!” He perked up, turning around and uncurling. “That was a rather quick trip of yours, I do hope you said hello to somebody.”

“I took some extra time to hang with Shellsy, and had a talk with Eggabro, but I didn’t wanna leave you for long.” He let go of the bag of seaweed, leaving it stagnant in the water. “Egg said she hopes you’re well.” He quoted.

“Nice of her to be concerned, ah… Is Wiggle still around?” Snorpy glanced away at a table covered in cloth and photographs, with pebbles holding them down.

“Wiggle’s doing great, I heard her and her sister play-fighting. It’s nice to see sisters being sisterly, isn’t it?” Chandlo turned away, moving over to his side of the room.

“I suppose so.” The axolotl had swam over to his table and was now readjusting the pebbles. “Hm… I am a bit concerned about what to do in the coming months…”

“Why wouldn’t we do what we did last year?” The shrimp raised an eyebrow, “That, or we can go with the Reefburg group! Filbo invited us to join them.”

“Eh…” Snorpy turned to a pile of soggy maps near the edge of his bed. Picking one up, he grabbed a pebble, and traced a path across it. “…No, if we go with them, we’re bound to be captured by Grumpbeard. Too many seagrumps all in one place.”

Chandlo looked away, unsure. “We'll do whatever you want, Snorpdawg.” He let out, resting on his bed.

“Hmph, if we did whatever I wanted, then I’d be sleeping through the winter. Unfortunately I would starve by December.” The yellow seagrump put the maps down, then swam over to the suspended bag of seaweed. “Thank you for getting the materials, but where is my sewing kit?”

“You have a sewing kit?” The green seagrump’s eyes widened, confused.

“I hardly believed it either, but I found it a few weeks ago!” The axolotl looked under his bed, perked up, and then pulled out a metal container. “Some landgrump lost an entire sewing kit, thread and all!” Opening it up, he revealed a smaller container of needles, a bunch of buttons, and several unrestrained spools of thread. “The box says that it belonged to some “C. Quizsparkle.” It’s on them for dropping it into the ocean.” Picking out a needle and thread, he grabbed a bushel of seaweed.

“…Hm.” Chandlo fell silent with a smile, watching his counterpart set up and begin to sew. It was a long, cold swim from Reefburg to their home, and he was always a little tired afterwards, so being able to watch a simple activity made the fatigue wash right out of his body.

On land, and undersea, grumps had jobs to do and roles to play. But soon, they’d be more connected than they ever thought they could be.

#bugsnax #tori’s writing tag #gramble gigglefunny #lizbert megafig #floofty fizzlebean #wambus troubleham #harpila teachsafe #beffica winklesnoot #filbo fiddlepie #wiggle wigglebottom #chandlo funkbun #shelda woolbag #eggabell batternugget #imimi wigglebottom #snorpy fizzlebean #seagrumps

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