To Be Proud: Revamped

Chapter 32: Festival of Yay

~Thwok~

      "Ahe you shure this is gohna wuhk?"

      "Of course it will. Trust me."

It was the last day of the festival, which meant that a lot of things were happening: Secret Yool, for one, and then the concert. I was extremely nervous, practically shaking as I wandered around with Bowey on the surface of the island. He had helped me immensely with Secret Yool, and between preparing the gift and the present moment he had been by my side to assist me and cheer me on.

      "Wh-Whaht ihf he wejehcts it?"

      "High doubt 'bout that, dude. If I know anything about love and romance, he'll fall skull over heel bones for you." It took me a moment to process the statement before I looked over at Bowey.

      "Lohve? Isn't thaht an Aihr Island spehcuhlty?" Bowey glanced away, rubbing their arm.

      "I...never told you, did I?"

      "Nevuh tohld me whaht?" Bowey muttered something to themself, then looked at me.

      "Do you know what a quintcident is?"

      "A quintcidehnt? Whell, I assume it's an incidehnt thaht involhves fihve ohf...something." Bowey nodded.

      "Five elements," he explained. "Usually caused by a non-native monster being brought to a different island that it doesn't belong on. New monsters are formed, and if it gets bad enough it could create a quint-elemental."

      "A quint-elementuhl?"

      "Mhm. More powerful than a quad-elemental, or a Boss. In fact, they have so much power that they can often lose control of themselves. That's why they're deemed dangerous; they hold too much energy to control by themselves."

      "Thaht's...a biht scarwy."

      "Exactly. Well, a quintcident occurred on Air Island years ago. A Potbelly snuck on to a skyship heading to the island, and it took almost a day for it to be sent back."

      "Whaht hahpened to Aihr Island?"

      "Overpopulated. Fortunately, since the new monsters were all Naturals they were sent to the Natural Islands."

      "Wight..." I waited for Bowey to continue on, and he seemed to catch on pretty quickly.

      "Oh, right. Well, the reason why I'm tellin' you this is because...well..." He looked around, taking a step towards me, then looked at me. "I'm...not, from 'round here."

      "Whaht?" I said in disbelief. Bowey sighed, looking away again.

      "I'm...I'm from Air Island. I was brought here to replace the Bowgart that passed on years ago. I was never taught how to be 'cold'; I just act the part. That's another specialty of Air Island: acting and theatrics." I stared at Bowey in shock, unable to believe what I had heard.

      "Bowey, I-"

      "You're sorry? Don't be; it's not every day you hear from the result of a rogue Potbelly and an amorous Maw."

      "Amohwuhs?" Bowey went to speak, then studied me a bit.

      "What island are you heading to next?"

      "Aihr Island, I thihnk?" He let out a single chuckle, amused.

      "Oh, don't worry about it for now. Just enjoy the personal space while you have it. Trust me, you're gonna miss it. Also, be sure to sleep earlier and wake up later. Just...trust me."