The past couple of weeks adventuring through Moonglade with Blue Raspberry have been an absolute blast for Astrid. Together the two of them ran around looking for odd jobs and whatever quests they could get their hands on. They feasted on anything and everything (especially literally for the ooze knight) with the coin they made from their jobs. After their trip through Shadewood and their defeat of the Beast King Guarundi, they had the Displacer Beast pelts tanned properly and turned into capes with hoods, each with two dangling, spikey tentacles. The pure unadulterated fun of having someone to consistently camp with, tell stories to, match capes with was great fun for the both of them. What a strange duo, a horned half-dwarf child and the shapeshifting ooze knight. 

Eventually, their adventures took them all the way to Eclipse City, mostly because it was one of the last places for them to explore in Moonglade, and they heard it's a neat place full of Moon Elves, but in addition to that, it has a massive port and would make it easy for them to travel to the north part of the continent if they decide that's a destination they want. So they spend a good bit of time just in Eclipse City touring around, doing a few odd jobs, and taking in the sites and culture. 

"I like these folks," Astrid comments while they walk along a footpath. "They're noble and loyal. And their armor... ughhhh!" She has spent a significant amount of time ogling the guards' armor every time they walk by. It's so elegant, well-polished, and the engravings and leaf motifs shine especially in the moonlight. "It's so nice. I can't wait ta make somethin' like it or better." She does ignore the fact that some of the elves give her looks for being such a scrappy-looking kid with horns, and some have evidently wondered why a noble, clean knight would travel with this gremlin child. 

The pair find themselves wandering around the Moonlit Docks where plenty of shops and stalls line the street. Massive ships are moored and unloaded all down the docks. This is the place for anything special they might want. On the distant northern horizon, dark clouds loom. 

"Their armor is pretty nice looking, but it looks a bit tight. I would like a bigger suit of armor. This one is good, but it can feel a little cramped in here sometimes. Would you make me one? A new set of armor that's nice a roomy?" Blue Raspberry asked, looking down at Astrid walking beside them.

The two walked along the crowded dock as the dark clouds continued to gather. A bit of wind started to blow through the market street, but not enough to cause any concern for now. This town was used to storms at sea and knew when the right time was to close their shops and shutter their windows. Stall owners and shopkeepers continued calling out to the crowd, trying to sell their wares.

"Best fried fish in Eclipse City here! Hot, fresh, and tasty!" One man called out, holding wooden skewers with long strips of breaded, fried fish on them.

Blue Raspberry was already walking toward the stall, eager to try some of the fish for themself. They loved trying new food, especially street food. Including food that was dropped on the street. One of the first real foods they'd ever eaten was a street food, chicken and onion skewers. They've had a bit of a weakness for anything from a food stall ever since.

"I'll take..." they started, but had to think for a moment on how many they should buy. They wanted every single one the man had, but they knew that would be suspicious. That was a mistake they'd made before. Maybe they could get away with ten.... no, twenty.... What if they pretend to share them with Astrid, who probably could actually eat all twenty herself? Thirty sounded reasonable!

"I'll take thirty!" Blue Raspberry said confidently to the shocked vendor, their jaw dropping at such an absurd order.

A wind gust pulls hard at her cape, which flaps wildly. Luckily the tanner blunted the spikes on the tentacles so they won't hurt anyone. 

"Ya want a bigger suit of armor?" she asks. "That suit's real nice. I s'pose I could try and help with that. Might be a while, though. I need to find meself a forge of me own first and practice. Lots of practice." She realizes she hasn't really gotten to do any smithing, and suddenly the task seems daunting. But she isn't deterred. Of course she wants to make an amazing set of armor for one of her very best friends. "What'll ya do with that set once I make ya a new one?" 

Secretly, she hopes the ooze will gift it to her, but it might be too big. Though it'll be a long while before she makes them a new set, and perhaps she'd grow into it. And she'd have to adjust the helmet to fit her horns. It's a project she's willing to take on.

When the man calls out for fish skewers, she knows that Blue Raspberry will immediately beeline for it. And they do, so she follows after them quickly. They've had plenty of good street food on their adventures, and neither of them turn away a tasty new treat. Fried fish sounds like a great lunch.

Blue Raspberry asks for thirty skewers, and the shop owner's jaw drops, so Astrid quickly interjects, "They're ta share! I'm a growin' girl, after all, and a knight needs ta keep up their strength!" This song and dance was a staple of their relationship. Blue asks for "too much" food, and Astrid helps justify it. The ooze always seems to have enough coin to cover it, too. Together, they eat like kings. 

With fried fish skewers bought and filling their hands, the two continued down the street. The wind grew a bit harsher, making both of their capes flutter. One of the tentacles on the knight's cape whipped around in the wind and smacked a man in the butt. He looked around for whoever had done it, but seeing the knight's hands were full of skewers, figured it couldn't have been them and went back to their business a bit peeved. Blue Raspberry didn't even notice, too busy happily inserting the skewers up into their helmet and devouring them, wooden stick and all.

With all of the skewers eaten, Blue Raspberry letting Astrid eat some of them too, the ooze finally took a glance around and saw shops starting to close their shutters and stalls closing down. The wind had gotten worse and drops of rain started to come down. Then the two of them heard a shout.

"Please, help! My husband's boat is still out there, and the storm is getting worse! I can't go out there by myself. Somebody please, help me go save them! I have a spare boat, I just need some hands to help man it! Anyone!" A man was shouting out from the docks. He looked incredibly worried.

The man stood fairly tall, wearing an outfit of leather boots and overalls beneath an open raincoat with their hood up. They had a thick, curly orange beard and mustache. He called out to anyone still out on the docks, but the crowd was quickly retreating into the shelter of their homes or the closest tavern to wait out the storm. No one seemed to be willing to help the man.

Astrid thoroughly enjoys the fried fish on sticks and more quickly shoves them into her mouth as the rain picks up. She gives the wooden skewers to Blue Raspberry to enjoy. She pulls her own hood up and looks around for a place to take shelter when the two of them hear the cries for help from the curly-bearded man. "Blue, someone needs our help! Let's go see what he needs!" She tugs on Blue Raspberry's cape, pointing in the man's direction, then she runs with him through the rain over to the man who's trying desperately to find someone who can help. They fight the crowd, and at some point, she just pushes them aside with her strength to clear a path for the both of them. By the time they reach the man, most people have cleared except a few other fishermen who are finishing tying their boats off and hauling their catches down the docks. 

"What's wrong? Ya said yer husband's out there??" Astrid asks the man. The rain picks up more and sounds thunderous against the ocean's surface. 

"He is!" the man shouts over the rain and wind, holding his hood over his head. "His vessel's a good size, but this storm's picking up! The waves could overtake him and his crew if it gets much worse, and by the looks of it, it will be worse! I docked and sent my crew home hours ago!" The man seems to have frustration behind his worry. "I told him to come in early. I told him that storm was only going to get worse! He didn't listen, and now he's out there in danger with his deckhands! The idiot!" 

Astrid looks out at the ocean. Only half an hour ago it was much more peaceful; blue waves and blue skies. Now it's dark, murky, and thrashing. "I've never been on a ship before, but my knight friend has! We could help!"

"Lass, I appreciate the offer, but you're just a child!" He looks around and shouts for help again. Astrid decides to prove her might and grabs the guy by the coat and lifts him up into the air. He shouts in protest, and when she puts him down, he looks between the two of them. She has the might and the knight and no one else to help. "Alright... I'll tell you what to do. We've got to go!" He turns and hurries onto the deck of a small fishing vessel, one that's not meant to go too far from shore. "The boat's meant to be manned by more, but three with the right know-how can manage without issues. The three of us will have to make do!" 

"What's yer name, mister?" Astrid asks, following him onto the boat quickly. 

"I'm Russel, and my husband is Robert. Untie that rope there! We're going to have to do some rowing against the wind to get out there!"

"I'm Astrid, and this is Blue Raspberry!" The rocking of the boat in the waves immediately sends her off balance, and she grips the mast for support. Suddenly. this doesn't look like a great idea. Astrid does as instructed the best that she can.

"Nice to meet you, Astrid and uh, Blue Raspberry. I wouldn't normally be asking folks to risk their lives, but I'm desperate. Thank you." Russel said solemnly, holding his hand over his heart before suddenly looking very serious and jumping into action. He grabbed a rope connected to the sail before handing out orders to Astrid and Blue Raspberry.

"Now, the both of you go grab that rope there! Sailing this won't be easy, especially in this storm, but just do what I tell you and we should manage. Pull! Alright, tie her off! Now grab that oar. Row like this, see? Alright, I'll take the wheal, you take this oar." Russel shouted over the sound of the fierce wind.

The sail was tightly furled, making sure to not have it be caught in the wind that would have torn it to shreds. Astrid and Blue Raspberry rowed the oars, having been shown the proper way by Russel, while he took the wheal and steered them out into the storm. The man definitely seemed to know where he was headed. He just hoped his husband's boat would still be around the same place he was supposed to have been, if it was even still afloat.

The waves batter the front of the boat, sending it into the air before crashing back down repeatedly. Several times, Blue Raspberry felt themself lift off the seat beneath them as they rowed before falling back down again. They were just glad they didn't have a real butt. All of this would probably be a real pain in it.

Astrid grips the oar and rows with all her might against the waves, wind, and current. The farther from shore they get, the bigger the waves get. Several waves reach over the vessel's railing and crash down on deck. She's soaked to her core, and the wind sends a chill along her spine. The rowing helps keep her blood moving and keep her warm. She can barely hear Russel's directions over the rain. He shouts something with a lot of urgency, and she can't see or hear him very well. Water pelts her face and gets in her ears. 

"WHAT?" she shouts. 

Suddenly the boat shifts and shudders, and gravity seems to feel sideways. Astrid feels herself sliding off the bench. The already dark world seems to be cast in shadow, and she looks up with shining golden eyes to see a towering wave has swept the boat up. Now she understands what Russel said: "Hold on to something!" 

It's a bit late for that. She falls right off the bench and tumbles down and slams into the rail on the other side of the boat. Things continue to turn upside down, and the wave reaches its peak then completely folds the boat into the dark sea. 

The boats seems to have been entirely submerged for a short moment before the bow breaches through the water and the whole boat launches into the air before crashing down again. Russel's knuckles are white from gipping the steering wheel so tightly, their knees on the deck. He spits out some salt water before taking a deep breath and looking back over his shoulder.

Blue Raspberry has their arms and legs wrapped around the railing, holding on tight. Russel is a bit relieved to see the knight. It would have been a death sentence to fall into the sea while wearing a full suit of heavy metal plate armor, especially in such a horrendous storm. The man surely would have drowned and he would have been the cause.

His relief is completely washed away and replaced with horror as his gaze sweeps across the deck. Astrid is nowhere to be seen. The girl is nowhere on deck and surely couldn't have gone down below in time to avoid that wave. She must have been tossed overboard by the water!

"Damnit! Astrid, where are you!?" he yells out, looking at the water around the boat.

Blue Raspberry hears the shouting and looks around, also noticing the girl's absence. They release the railing before diving into the water.

"No! You'll just drown in that armor, you dang idiot!" Russel shouts out when he sees the knight jumping over the railing. He flinches when their foot catches on the railing and they slam down onto the side of the boat before falling into the water with a splash. This was a nightmare! Now he was on the boat alone in the middle of a storm. This whole idea was a mistake.

In the excitement of rushing to help save strangers, one thing Astrid did not consider was the very real possibility she would fall into the ocean. She also did not consider that she wasn't a great swimmer, the untoe can be strong, and that her gauntlets, greaves, and soaked clothes would drag her down. So once she falls into the water and can't get her head above the surface, the thoughts come rushing into her head. But she survived a dang avalanche on her first adventure, and she defeated the beast king with Blue Raspberry. She's come this far, and she's not going to let a setback stop her. So she fights hard against the water and tries her best to drag herself to the surface. It is the hardest fight of her life so far. Every time she manages to get close, another wave crashes down and pushes her under. 

Thunder rumbles overhead, and the lightning splits the sky, casting dark shadows with every flash of blinding light. It's the only way Astrid can get any idea of which way is up. A dark shape makes its way toward her, and her first thought is, Oh great, on top of all of this, now a shark's gonna get me.  

Blue Raspberry splashed into the water and immediately was sinking, and rather quickly. Their armor was weighing them down too much. They couldn't swim at all like this. They also just didn't know how to swim even without armor, but that didn't occur to them as they plummeted down into the depths.

They expanded and absorbed their armor and cape and stopped sinking. Now they were able to look around and try to find Astrid. The surface of the water was rough and the water beneath was dark and churned in all directions by the waves. It was difficult to see and disorienting as they were tossed around by the currents. But, unlike Astrid, they had no difficulty breathing under water. They simply absorbed oxygen from the water through their body like an amphibian absorbed oxygen through their skin. They could survive down here without air as they twisted around to find their friend.

Finally, they spotted her in the water. She was struggling to stay close to the surface, also weighed down by her armor like Blue Raspberry had been, but unable to take it off and store it away. The ooze began to paddle toward her slowly, trying to learn on the fly how to actually swim. Thankfully they were a fast learner and several voices in their head shouted instructions at the same time.

Finally, they reached Astrid and dragged her to the surface of the water, their arms wrapped around her. The boat wasn't too far away. They kicked their gooey legs, swimming toward to boat while holding Astrid up out of the water on top of them. They didn't care if their own head was dunked under the waves.

It's one thing to expect a shark to swim up and take a nice meaty bite out of your side. It's another to be wrapped in a friendly embrace from a gelatin creature. Astrid always finds herself glad to see Blue Raspberry, and this situation is no different. The ooze pulls her to the surface, and she finally gets a deep breath and coughs. They're not out of the water yet, so she'll thank them properly when they're back on the boat. She holds on to the goopy ooze as best she can as they paddle towards the upright boat shifting in the ocean swells. 

Russel sees Astrid breach the surface and can be heard shouting. He runs across the deck and throws a floatation device tied to a rope out to them. Astrid grabs the floaty once they're close enough and hooks her arm around it. Russel starts reeling them in, but he wonders where the knight has gone off to. Did they sink below the waves and disappear forever? He slowly manages to hoist Astrid toward the ship.

Astrid shouts down to Blue Raspberry, "Blue, get yer armor back on once I throw this back down, and I'll foist ya up again! Don't want Russel seein' ya!" Russel pulls on the rope and drags Astrid up out of the water. Astrid collapses on the deck and coughs hard. Being waterlogged sucks. 

"Where's the knight??" he asks worriedly, looking over the rail and into the ocean. The wheel spins freely at the stern. 

"They're down there, they helped me!" she coughs, dragging herself to her feet. "I'll pull 'em up! You get the boat! There's another big one comin'!" The ship starts lifting into the air as a wave builds in momentum. She throws the floatation device down to Blue Raspberry.

Russel shouts, "Don't fall off again!" and rushes to man the helm. 

Astrid wipes the water from her face and pulls her goggles over her eyes so it's easier to see, and she quickly ties herself to the rail with some rope. "Give it a good tug when yer ready, Blue!" she shouts over the thunder. Lightning flashes around them. 

With Astrid safely, or as safe as she can be in this storm, back on board the ship, Blue Raspberry twists around to be upright in the water again, their legs kicking beneath them to keep them up on the surface.

Astrid threw a rope with a floating donut tied to the end into the water and Blue Raspberry grabbed on with their mouth, by which I mean they let the donut sink into their gooey face, by pure instinct before remembering they needed to be back in their armor before they were pulled back onto the ship to keep their disguise.

They redonned their armor, letting it fall out of them before flooding into it. The only piece they had yet to put back on was their helmet, but they realized a problem. The donut was bigger than the hole in the op of their cuirass! They couldn't spit it back out right now unless they took their armor off their torso again first, but they weren't sure they could hold onto the rope very well while they put it back on again. No, there was only one thing to do. They simply put their helmet back onto their gooey head and let the rope emerge from the space between the bottom of the helmet and the top of their armor.

With the ooze on the line like a hooked fish, they gave the rope a couple tugs to let Astrid know to pull them up onto the boat.

When she feels the tug on the rope, Astrid braces her foot against the railing and heaves the heavy knight up. Sometimes the rope nearly slips through her gauntlets, but she keeps tugging and pulling, wrapping it around her wrist to keep it from slipping free. The boat threatens to tip again, and she falls against the rail, but this time not overboard. Once it rights itself again, she turns and uses gravity to her advantage. The boat tips in the other direction, and she rushes towards the opposite rail eventually pulling Blue Raspberry up and onto the deck with a heavy thud. 

A huge wave swells and carries the boat high into the air. Astrid grips the mast and holds on tight. Lightning flashes behind the massive tidal wave, and a dark shadow can be seen somewhere in the water. No one has time to process anything. The boat slams down into the water, rocking everyone aboard to their core. When it starts to settle, she notices Blue has the floaty in their body. What if Russel sees?! He seems too busy trying to get back to his feet. Astrid yanks on the rope, hoping to unlodge the floaty from Blue Raspberry. 

Suddenly things go stiller. The wind calms. The rain continues to pour though no longer sideways. The waves continue to push the seat against the shore in the distance. There seems to be a minor break, but it won't last forever.

Russel shouts from the stern. Luckily, he's facing the other way.  "There they are! I see them! The ship's gone down, and there's something in the water! Hurry, we've got to do something!"

Blue Raspberry grabs hold of the rope sticking out of where their neck would be as they feel it being yanked upward. It's a rough experience, being beaten by the waves and bumping into the side of the ship as Astrid pulls the rope, but they finally get pulled up and over the railing, flopping onto the deck like a freshly caught fish. A very gooey fish in a heavy suit of armor.

With Russel holding the wheel, steering the ship toward the floating sailors in the distance, Astrid and Blue Raspberry struggle to try and remove the big, floaty donut from inside the ooze. Astrid yanks on the rope while Blue Raspberry stands on their hands and knees, but it's too large to be yanked out of the hole in the top of their plate armor's cuirass.

There's not much choice. Blue Raspberry just tries to hide behind Astrid as much as they can while they extrude a bit more of their ooze from their armor to let the life preserver be removed. Thankfully, Russel is much more preoccupied watching the giant dark shadow of some monstrous sea creature swimming beneath his husband and their crew in the water. He hardly even notices that neither of them are doing any rowing since the ship is being knocked around by the waves anyway.

With the life preserver removed, Blue Raspberry immediately grabs the oar and resumes rowing toward the floating men, Astrid following suit with the other oar. However, as the boat makes its way toward the men as fast as possible, a giant, gaping maw breaches the surface of the sea around them, so large it even swallows the entire boat like it's nothing. The clouds in the sky slowly disappear as teeth and lips crash together above the boat, blocking out the rain, and sealing them all in darkness with a deep, deafening roar that seems to be coming from every direction at once.