[Survey] Welcome home Slushpuppy!

The large square tank stood in the center of Axel’s living small yet comfortable living space, it’s light glittering off the soft ripple of water from the filter and the sand below, illuminating a myriad of plants, rocks and sculptures all carefully curated and cultivated to create a snapshot of a miniature, underwater realm. A soft green seaweed drifted side to side in a gentle dance, in synchronicity with bubbles rising up from a replica of some sort of honeycomb coral; and from within a little rocky alcove a shimmer of gold shone from tiny painted details made to mimic ores and rich minerals from a deep oceanic cave.
It was quite the feat of artistry and careful planning to get such a wonderful display prepared, but Axel was nothing if not deeply motivated to do so; for this was to be the home for his new companion, and what a special companion it was indeed!

Axel loved his home, he always had; his apartment was decorated with all manner of trinkets and posters and potted plants, many of which holding memories of wonderful adventures, fantastic music and bright beaming smiles! He was quite happy there with his windows looking out onto the beach, the squeak and squawk of ocean-side fauna singing him awake in the mornings, the soft smell of salt and sand; it was paradise! But there were days where it felt as if something were missing- nothing large nor spectacular, just something that could make his home feel even more joyous; but what was it? Did the walls need a new coat of paint, some murals perhaps? More posters to paste above his bed? A few more fairy lights to string up along the ceiling's edges? No, no that wasn’t quite it, and so on pondered Axel; until one fateful day when news came down from the ARC labs…

Boolews, a little species undergoing research who needed caretakers, tiny aquatic worms of all shapes and colors! They were quite marvelous creatures, Axel thought, charming too; and as he read on he felt something click, a sudden realization coming to him as to what his life had been missing. A companion, of course! That’s what it was! His home was a delight, but oftentimes in the evenings when he’d return and flop on the couch he’d find himself talking to pictures on his walls or figurines; he’d always lived on his own, but he hadn’t noticed that he’d become somewhat…lonely, as time had gone by. It didn’t bother him most days, afterall he spent most of his time out and about on the beach with plenty of opportunities to chat and hang out; but back home, especially on days where the weather took a turn and a stroll in the sun wasn’t possible? Well, a little companionship would be rather pleasant indeed!

And so off went Axel to apply for the foster program, excitement bubbling in his heart as he dedicated his free hours to reading up and preparing to welcome his own wiggly little friend; soon finding himself engrossed in the fun of setting up an appropriate home with all a Boolew could need- and more! Axel was nothing if not a soft touch, and it would be a fool to expect him not to spoil his prospective future companion; this little worm would have the best plants and rocks and decor he could get his hands on, he made sure of that as the tank he dubbed ‘The Penthouse’ came to fruition. For all his softness and fun Axel still felt the importance of his task however, diligently making sure every inch would be safe and comfortable, mimicking a natural environment as best he could, losing himself in studies and research any moment he wasn’t adding a new piece of foliage to The Penthouse.

Perhaps an onlooker might not know the hard work that went into such a thing, perhaps it would look just like an ordinary little fish tank to many; but when it was finished and Axel stood before it he felt the payoff of all that time spent preparing, for it was beautiful… It glittered and shone, bubbled and flowed, a glorious little scene held there in glass right in front of his sofa; and made all the more beautiful by what came wriggling shyly out from behind fronds of seagrass inside, a little, bright blue head festooned with softly swaying whiskers.

“Heyyyy lil’ man, you like your new digs?” Axel cooed softly as he knelt down to look closer, watching his new little roommate duck back behind the flowing green.

“Aw, it’s ok, don’t be scared; I'm here to take care of you, we’re gonna be best buds!”

He waited patiently and with a gentle smile, keeping his voice quiet and soothing as he whispered encouragement at the Boolew inside the tank; and eventually, there it appeared again, wriggling forward to come explore, gazing at Axel quizzically. A frill around its base undulated as it swam and it’s eye-catchingly blue body was easy to spot as it went to and fro, nudging at sand and peering into all the nooks and crannies it could. It took one lap around the tank, and then another, and then as Axel watched on it settled there in front of him, staring right on back through the glass as if to say hello; little beady eyes inscrutable, but Axel hoped he could see a glimmer of happiness there within.

“There we go, see, not so scary right?”, Axel said, watching his new companion with rapt interest, “Welcome to the family lil’ buddy, I think I'm gonna call you….. Slushpuppy!”