High Tides, Thin Air

Seashells (part one)

The folk troll let out an exhausted groan as they tossed their work attire to the side, letting out a breath of air as they slumped against the door of their cottage-like home, rubbing their fingers against their temples. Work today was exhausting, like usual, but Ms. Dionaea was being EXTRA perfectional today, with every arrangement of flowers HAVING to be sorted alphabetically by the first letter on what COLOR they were.

Does not help by the time they walked in with a pounding headache and a dazed mind after spending a night finishing a slightly overdue commission.

That was a stupid thing to do, yeah, but they're barely was any food and they need some extra money.

Kore closed their eyes, trying to relax as a fluttermoth pokes its head out of a room door, mewling and making delighted noises as it fluttered to their owner, nuzzling into their head as a greeting. The folk troll softly chuckled, petting the fluttermoth on the head gently.

"Good evening, Luna. I take it that you've enjoyed an eight-hour nap while I was gone??"

The folk troll tiredly giggled as the moth happily chirped, their little claws wiggling.

"Ah, sounds nice..." Kore sighed out, lips curling into a soft smile as Luna nuzzled into their touch. "I think I should take a nap too. The she-bergen was driving me CRAZY today..."

Luna mewled as she fluttered in the air, the folk troll standing up and doing a few arms stretches as they tread towards the pantry, putting on a pot of water to boil for tea before scrambling through their pantry in search of a tea flavor that fit the current atmosphere.

But of course, being low on material resources in exchange for goods, there were not a lot of flavors to choose from. Only almonds and hibiscus. And Kore was saving the hibiscus flavor for a special occasion so...best to go with the flavor you hate, yeah?!

Grabbing a mug before closing the cabinet door shut, the folk troll discreetly grabbed hold of the almond tea bag, scrunching their nose with disgust as they placed the bag in the empty mug, promptly filling the mug with water before dabbing the tea bag, the warm liquid turning into tea. Kore sat down on the couch with a blanket cozily wrapped around their lower body, slowly taking a sip.

...

......

Yep, nope. Kore slammed their mug down with a disgusted look on their face. They are going to throw hands with whoever created almond-flavored tea, what troll in their right minds would want to drink that-

"Hello??? Kore??"

The folk troll's internal rant was halted with a voice and a series of knocks softly pounding against the door, urging them to rush towards the door as the knocks became frantic and louder.

Kore fixed a part of their hair before swinging the door open, staring down two trolls; One of them happened to be their co-worker, Flora, who happened to be a classical/funk troll. She's really sweet, understanding. Has a cool girlfriend too! And the troll beside her, a rock troll with frizzly, wild hair. Doesn't seem to care, or maybe doesn't like being here.

"Oh, hi Flora! Is there something I can help you with...?"

Wow, that wording sounded boring...

"Hello! I and my friend were wondering-"

"You were wondering..." Her friend interrupted, with a hint of disdain in their tone. Kore pointed their eyes at the troll.

"..Right, I was wondering if you'd like to come to this party down at techno beach! I heard there's dancing, the music of all kinds, and snacks and drinks are provided! Oh, and the king of the techno trolls will be there, kick-offing the party!!"