It's in the eyes. Always the eyes.

Chapter One| The Search for the Truth

It was an early morning, and the sun cast a gentle golden hue over the open field where Penny was busily hand-picking an assortment of fruits. The rich, vibrant colors of wumpa fruits and a variety of berries filled her basket. Aku-Aku, the wise and friendly mask, floated beside her, guiding her from one fruitful spot to the next.

Curious, Penny paused and asked, "Aku-Aku, why are we collecting these fruits? Why not just buy them from the market or gather them all at once?"

Aku-Aku's eyes glinted with wisdom as he replied, "Ah, Penny, it's a cherished tradition here on the island. Each year, we hand-pick our own harvest as a way to honor the land and its bounty. The wumpa fruits are especially special—they're rarer and more precious than other fruits, so taking the time to pick them ourselves makes the harvest even more meaningful. It connects us to the island's rhythms and reminds us to appreciate the effort that goes into gathering our food."

Penny hummed cheerfully, a smile gracing her lips. "That sounds lovely. I wonder why Crash and Coco don't do this more often?" She mused aloud while kneeling down beside a small lemon tree, gently plucking the ripe fruit.

Aku-Aku, floating nearby, took this opportunity to launch into a mini rant. "Well, it's a recurring issue! Neither of the children ever seem to find the time to join me in picking out the fruits we need to restock. It's quite the task, and since I lack a physical body to handle it myself, I could really use their help. But no, they're always off on their own adventures—"

Penny, absorbed in her work, only half-listened to Aku-Aku's complaints as she continued gathering various berries from the nearby shrubs. Her attention was drawn away by a soft rustling nearby. She turned to see a small rabbit emerging cautiously from the bush, its curious eyes fixed on her.

With a gentle smile, Penny reached into her basket, pulled out a plump berry, and placed it on the ground. "Here you go," she said softly, nudging the berry towards the bunny. The rabbit approached hesitantly, sniffed the berry, and then nibbled on it before hopping away into the underbrush.

Aku-Aku, having witnessed the exchange, floated closer and asked with a hint of exasperation, "Penny, were you listening to me at all?"

Penny looked up, slightly embarrassed. "Oh, I'm sorry, Aku-Aku. I guess I got a bit distracted. What were you saying again?"

Aku-Aku sighed in defeat. "It's nothing. Let's just get back home. We can continue the harvest later."

With that, Aku-Aku guided Penny back, his frustration giving way to a resigned acceptance. As they walked, Penny couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for not paying more attention, but she was also grateful for the peaceful moments of connection with the island's wildlife.

Penny and Aku returned with a basket filled with all kinds of fruits. As they neared the house, Crash spotted them from a distance and greeted them eagerly, a huge grin spreading across his face.

"We brought back some fresh fruits to eat!" Penny exclaimed cheerfully, holding up the basket tucked under her right arm.

Crash's eyes zeroed in on the basket, and when he spotted a juicy wumpa fruit sitting on top, he could barely contain his excitement. He quickly reached in, grabbed the wumpa fruit, and took a large bite, savoring its sweet taste.