C.C.'s Adventures in Twisted Wonderland

Chapter 3-2-3: Sparkling in the Sand

***Deserted Island - Tropical Forest***

3rd POV:

"Those robots got dismantled in no time flat. Now their parts are littered all over the place." Riddle says. "You're using these components to fix your spaceship, right? Guess we've got even more stuff to carry." Jack sighs. "Yeah. Question is where we put it all... Hm?" Floyd asks. Stitch draws in the sand and makes motions. "Hmm... You found a place that would make a good base? Sure, let's see it, Stitch." Floyd says.

***Deserted Island - Coast***

"This is the place? It's rockier than the beach we woke up on yesterday. But all the greenery makes it pretty relaxing." Jack comments. "It's situated between the water and the woods, with good access to both. Yes, this seems like a perfect spot." Riddle says in agreement. "A coastal HQ, huh? I don't see why not. But we'll need to build the house on high ground. Gotta watch out for the tides and big waves." Floyd says. "For once, you're offering proper advice. All right. Let's see what it's like on that cliff. Hm? Something's sparkling in the sand." Riddle says while observing the sand.

"Ooh, where? ...Eh. It's just seashells." Floyd says disappointingly. "You say that, but I've never seen ones this big. There's one here, one there...They're all over the place. I've never seen ones this pretty before, either." Jack says, amazed. "True. They're all sorts of colors-orange, red, purple, green, pink, white...They look like painted porcelain." Riddle says in agreement. "Dude, what're you guys fawnin' over those for? They're just dead shellfish." Floyd says nonchalantly.

"I mean... You're not wrong, but you don't have to put it like THAT." Jack says. "Oh hey, this big one here'd make a decent plate. It's kinda messed up serving food on a corpse, but eh. It'll be fine if we wash 'em." Floyd comments while looking at some shells. "Seriously, can you stop being so morbid?!" Jack asks in annoyance. "They could serve other purposes as well. Perhaps we should gather more to add to our supplies. It's astounding that the word "seashell" should apply to such a variety of shapes and sizes." Riddle says.

"Ooh, check this one out. It's giant-and the shape is pretty much perfect!"Jack exclaim happily. "I've seen one with that same blend of white and orange in an illustrated reference book before! Wow, the real thing is even more incredible. One can't help but wonder what gives them that striking color. This red shell here, for example, shining like a ripe cherry...See? Wouldn't that make it more likely to draw the attention of predators in the wild?" Riddle asks.

"Colors look a lot different underwater. It only sticks out here 'cuz it's on land. A red like this would look black in the deep sea where we're from. You'd barely be able to tell it apart from a rock." Floyd explains. "Oh, of course. Water absorbs and diffracts light. I can't believe I didn't remember that." Riddle says. "Dang, Goldfishie, you actually forgot something? Now there's somethin' you don't see every day." Floyd teases. "Grk...It's only natural I wouldn't be as knowledgeable about sea life as merfolk. Oh, this little white shell has a lovely spiral. Here's another! And another... ACK! Something tickled the palm of my hand! What was that?!"Riddle exclaims, dropping some of the shells.

"The shells Riddle dropped are moving..." Jack states. "Ahaha! Those are hermit crabs. C'mon, Goldfishie, can't you tell your shells apart?" Floyd says happily. "Hm? Hey, Stitch. Your shells are moving too!" Jack exclaims while Stitch looks down in his arms in surprise. "Guess those won't be going into our supplies. Don't worry, I'll get enough for all of us......Wait, now my shells are moving!" Jack exclaims. "Does that mean most of the pretty shells we picked out were hermit crabs?!" Riddle exclaims in confusion.

"Ahaha! You guys suck at this. If you wanted plates and stuff, you shouldn't be picking up the spiral ones in the first place. The obvious choice is clamshells." Floyd states. "I mean...I was just having fun picking 'em up for the shell of it..." Jack says. "Nothin' for it but to start over. This time, leave the pretty spiral ones alone and pick out the flat, practical ones." Floyd states. "Yes, sir...This is embarrassing. Guess you can't argue with merfolk when it comes to the sea, though." Jack says while Stitch starts picking up different shells. "I'll take care to make up for my shortcomings with magic when we're building the house." Riddle states.