Mistress

The Finding

Tweak knew it before she saw it. Heck, she knew it before she even knew it for sure.

The needles, shiny and silver and deadly sharp.

And the inky black voids that were buttons...supposedly cute.

BANG BANG!!! It wasn't supposed to be here...

She didn't know the door could move.

But it wasn't The Door. It was behind the door...

BANG BANG BANG!!!! The other Octonauts were also staring at it. A door that lead into the wirey mess inside the computer engine in the Launch Bay, Tweak's home. Barnacles glanced at her, taking in the horror on her face. "uhm, Tweak? Are you alright?"

"What's that Tweak?" Shellington asked, watching the door to the engine pound itself from the inside. Whatever was in there anted out.

Tweak knew it.

Barnacles turned back to Tweak, and saw her having a silent conversation with Kwazii. Somehow, they could exchange whole bouts between them without a single word and in under seconds.

Tweak made a strange face, like she'd tasted something nasty, and knelt down in front of the engine door, using her screwdriver to open it.

A blinding flash of pink and lavender. Shooting out the door like sonic waves desperate for freedom. There was a cry amongst the Octonauts.

The door slammed shut. Tweak had been thrown at least six feet away, maybe more, and sat on the floor, panting and eyeing the door like she was prey and it was predator. Kwazii was already on his feet.

Barnacles dropped to his knee in a millisecond, helping Tweak to her feet. She was unsteady. "Tweak! Are you alright?"

Tweak's lips moved, but no sound came out. Barnacles read the pattern of her mouth; 'Beldam, beldam, beldam, beldam...'

Kwazii eyed the door closely, as if it were a monster. He already struck a defensive pose.

No more pounding.

"What was that?" Shellington asked, kneeling down. Tweak snapped back to her sense. "Don't!"

Shellington paused, but it was really too late. The door was open a few inches. His paw slipped down, staring at her. "What? Why not?"

Kwazii grabbed Tweak's eye, and another silent conversation ensued. Barnacles patted her shoulder. "Tweak, whatever's in there, it's probably nothing to worry-!" Tweak interrupted him. "Just don't open that door. I need to make a call..." She turned away, but Kwazii's voice stopped her. "I wouldn't if I were you matey..."

"You? Seems rather the opposite to me." Shellington smiled. Barnacles raised an eyebrow. Shellington was right. It was more like Kwazii to run toward the danger. "Kwazii, are you sure everything is alright? It's not like you to not want to explore a new place or thing."

Kwazii sighed, ran a paw down his face, and gently pulled Tweak down next to him by the arm, sitting side by side on a crate. "Tis a looooonnnngggg story, mateys. A long story."

Tweak sat by his feet, curled up to her knees, a faraway look in her eyes. Barnacles' eyebrows furrowed. "I take it you know what's in there."

"Don't open it." Kwazii stated simply, looking more serious than Barnacles had ever seen him. "Not until we can find the key."

"The key?"

"The key we threw down a well, Kwazii?" Tweak snipped. When the Octonauts met, it had become painfully clear with a duetic shout of "YOU?!" that Tweak and Kwazii had know each other since their before their preteens, before Kwazii hopped a pirate ship. Tweak had been heartbroken, but the two seemed to have finally made amends.