Chapter 43: Leaving

As I swam through the tunnels connecting all the different sections of the enclave, I got a lot more of glances and some outright staring from basically any creature I passed.

How rude!

I know I'm the only octopus in the tribe, but seeing everyone watch me still makes me feel nervous you know!

While I was already somewhat of a large creature in the tribe before I evolved, at least back then I was able to compress myself and make me seem thinner and less bulky as I crawled throughout the spaces.

Now however, this didn't achieve nearly as much of an effect as I had wanted it to.

[You have activated Advanced Camouflage]

Thinking to myself for only a moment, I decided use my camouflage, but not to it's fullest abilities.

Turning myself into a more blue greenish color which helps me blend in with the rock around me I turn to look at some of the passing creatures only to see them full on staring in amazement.

Inwardly facepalming at my failed attempt of diverting attention only to draw more, I awkwardly continued on my way towards the hunting cove.

I didn't quite realize it, but walking without Shelton makes me understand that... I don't really know anyone else?

I know Jayce, and Ponto of course, but I have no idea where they are, and you could consider me and Elder Carn acquaintances?

No, he's an elder, we're not all buddy buddy despite the fact that we're now of the "same" rank.

I also seriously need to get used to that as well.

Not only am I the only octopus in this tribe, but I'm now also a "big shot" because of supposed rank.

It feels... weird... almost a little too soon?

I know that technically I'm not of the yellow rank but my standing now is and I don't want to break the act, at least not yet because I'm not sure how everyone will react.

At long last, I arrived at the hunting cove and this time I spot a different, smaller crab who is running the main desk, not the crab who laughed at us before.

As I approach the small crab at the desk, it looks up as it notices my figure approaching them.

I swear I can see them pale a little bit upon seeing my intent of arriving before them, however they hide it quite well when they open their mouth to greet me.

"Hello! What do you need help with today?" The crab asks cheerily.

I point towards a paper on their desk, "I'm just wanting to go out for a hunt."

Looking down at the general hunting request, the crab seems to breathe out in relief a little bit before nodding in afirmation.

"Very well! Do you know where you plan on hunting?"

Stroking the beak for a minute, I eventually reply "I guess I'll head down south towards the yellow spires again, the Synok tribe is still a problem right?"

The crab nodded their head, "Yes! Very much so, in fact, no long ago we had our first major fight between our tribes."

'How long was I asleep for?' I thought to myself.

I know that I was out for at least a day because Shelton had just left when I started evolving, and when I woke up he was recuperating, but maybe it was a few days?

I'll have to remember to ask him when he wakes up.

"I see... Then yeah, I'll be heading south."

"Alright! I'll put in the request and you're good to go!"

It looks like the crab wants to say something else, but after waiting for only a moment, I turn around and exit the cove not wanting to make it awkward.

I've never been good at conversations, especially those of the opposite gender.

I guess that was a crab though... so that would probably make things even more unbearable, especially for me.

'Wait... was that even a female crab?'

I get the urge to maybe turn around and ask, but manage to stop myself.

'Jesus! You already left! Plus that's not a conversation you want to have for f*cks sake!'

Shaking my head and ridding all my weird delusional sentient crab related thoughts, I reach the exit of the enclave and crawl through the gate.

The two large crabs are still standing guard, although I think that one of them is different from before, but the one that I first saw when I arrived here, 'I think his name was Monty?' was still there as well.

Waving at them I quickly try to swim by but hear a voice behind me.

"Ahem."

Oh boy.

Turning around I can see Monty looking at me. Thankfully he doesn't look angry or anything of the like, but it's clear that he wants to talk to me.

"Yes?" I speak up, wanting to be done and over with.

'Am I in trouble?'

"You're a yellow rank now right? You just evolved because of the flood and whatnot?"

I stare at him nervously.

Despite both of us being the "same" rank, I still feel really nervous around most of the crabs who I haven't been around during my time in the tribe.

"Yep! I evolved not too long ago!" I reply letting my anxiety get to me.

'Sh*t! Too casual!'

He raises both a pincer and a metaphorical eyebrow at my statement, resting the former on my head.

He stares at me for a few seconds before...

*Bam!*

"Hahahaha! I'm just messing with you kid! It's good to know that we have another among our ranks!"

This guy is a yellow rank?

I mean, it kind of makes since because of how big and presumably strong he is... but I also thought that all yellow ranked crabs were elders.

Still, learning this reassures me that I'm still not quite top of the latter for the tribe just quite yet.

Truth be told I was a little anxious because I thought that I might have to take on more serious roles in the tribe instead of just goofing of- I mean growing together with Shelton, but know that there are more among "my" rank really helps.

Snapping out of my thoughts, I meekly thank him for his encouragement before I scuttle off out of the enclave, and head down south.

Let's test the new me!