what a terrible world - joining

[Xapul]

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When the saltwater crocodile washed up on shore, she certainly hadn't imagined the current had taken her this far off course. ...Wherever this was. She only recalled closing her eyes for just a moment, but perhaps...she had drifted to sleep. What unfortunate circumstances. At least she could think of one positive. The trees she could see dared not to encroach upon this beach. It meant there would be plenty of sunlight for her to bask in.

However, that wasn't her utmost concern.

At least, not at the moment. The only important thought that kept dancing in her head was simple: Where was she? Of all the currents she'd ridden, she'd never wound up here before.

...Oh well. Nothing she could do until the currents changed, she supposed. She wouldn't bother dragging herself halfway up the shore if she didn't need to; waiting right where she was sounded just divine to her. It was a calm morning, after all. A perfect time to relax.

[Morgan]

Morgan was on his usual rounds, cleaning up smaller ponds in the swamp and cutting up trees to make clearings. He sensed the presence of something new not far from his home cave, and ran over to investigate.

Although this being looked quite similar to the alligators of the swamp, the samoyed noted a distinct and slight difference in its aura. Strange as it was, Morgan could not help but feel compelled to approach the gator-esque creature. "Hello," he barked, still a good few feet away. "Can you talk?" He tilted his head as he sat back for a moment, holding his bracers' water at the ready.

[Xapul]

The large beast turned her head, but only just enough to take a gander at that which spoke to her. What a queer question; it was almost amusing. Could she speak? "Greetings," she said. "Am I right to assume you live here?" Her voice seemed to slither forth from her jaws without much effort to moving them. "Perhaps, then, you could tell me: What is this strange--unusual, odd, peculiar--yes, strange place?"

[madster]

after morgan came the nurse, actually sober for once. his head ached and he felt nauseous, because he had too much to drink last night. he glanced at the ice dog, wondering if morgan could tell he was in pain, and he looked at the gator. "yeah, we live here. you're freaky," he said, hiding behind morgan. "it's, uh, tanglewood. please don't eat me. please."

[VIGENERE CIPHER.]

[Xapul]

"Freaky?" the croc repeated. "Most that I know address me as Xapul, but I'll allow this mistake." She shifted now, pulling her body away from the water to face the trio. Something about them did pique her interest. "This Tanglewood, does it host a variety of folks as unique as you all?"

[Morgan]

"Yes, I live nearby. In a cave," Morgan replied, missing the point of the question. Just as he was about to respond to the creature's next question, Malphas appeared and answered it for him. Vigenere appeared next, and the strange animal asked some more questions; the samoyed's curiosity was beyond piqued.

"Xapul, Tanglewood is an amazing place - and an amazing family. There are many of us there, if you want to join." He left out his usual piece about alligators and traps, as he figured the crocodile would be able to fend for herself just fine. "By the way, I'm Morgan - Deputy of Tanglewood. It's nice to meet you."

[Xapul]

"Many?" Xapul repeated. She was intrigued, to say the least. "I consider myself interested. Is there a task I must perform--accomplish, fulfill, complete--yes, before I would be inducted?" The foul stench that clung to the air seemed irksome, but she'd learn to live with it.

[VIGENERE CIPHER.]