"Let's exercise caution," Persica suggested. "I won't behold anybody to my pacifist ways here, but I'd still like to aim for peaceful revelations. The resort is known for its non-violence agreement. I want Lord Shellie to see that we're not like Marco or Ouija, or bloodthirsty in any way."
"I might be in trouble," Minnie said, as she rubbed the front part of her green shell. "Lots of the shellies here have red shells, which means they're tougher and more respectable. We, or I at least, may be looked down upon."
"Diplomacy is my expertise, Minnie. You've nothing to fear," Persica soothed.
"You mean you'll help the shellies, too?"
Persica recalled the inspiration brought on by Gamer after the haunted mansion, "Of course. I want to see all of Chanterelle in peace."
The promise melted Minnie's heart and she threw a hug on Persica. The princess was shocked, at first, but reciprocated the kindness.
"Check out what I found," Gamer walked over from the oceanfront. He held a red shellie's shell.
Minnie gasped in excitement and took the shell. She traded Gamer her green one. He promised to hold onto it for her and added it to his inventory. She quickly put the stronger shell, "Well, that problem's fixed! Thanks, Gamer!"
"Do the colors make a difference?" Gamer asked.
"They do. Not only do they denote what rank you are under Lord Shellie, they also determine how durable the shell is. Greens are the lowest, reds are above them, and then blue are top tier."
"I haven't seen any blue shell shellies," Gamer thought about collecting shells along the beach.
"That's because blues are reserved to protect the fortress. We won't see them until we arrive there."
"Where'd you randomly find that, anyways?" Persica asked.
"In a not so random place..." Gamer smiled ambiguously. Nobody peered over in the tide, where two shellies argued that the shell between them was theirs. One of their shells just disappeared with no explanation. The argument escalated, and they both cocked their fists back. However, due to the resort rules, they instead started a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide who got the shell.
Samira opened a textbox with (º 3º ) to be between Persica's view and the disturbance. Once the ladies started walking towards the central resort building, Gamer whispered to his sister, "It's not violence if I'm not the one throwing hands."
"Wow...(¬_¬")"
The group walked along a wooden plank pathway that eased the traversal across the sand. The shade above protected them from the beat of the sun.
Gamer cast his sights across the open ocean. It was beautiful, and he gave props to the environmental designers. A few islands dotted the horizon, "What are those locations? Are they worth visiting?"
Persica answered, "If you feel like it. One is a tropical island where the yosauri are from. Another is home to the Squid Kids. They are a cephalopod people who love to paint in broad strokes. I personally have never been, but it is logged in my father's journal."
"Squid Kids? That's totes sus. I vote we stay away from there at all costs," Samira advised.
"Why's that?" Gamer questioned.
(≖_≖) Samira showed a collage of Gamer's numerous cross-eyed and erratic o-faces, along with the countless disturbing enemies they've encountered throughout their adventure.
Gamer forgot he ever saw the island, "We're never going to that place. Ever. No exception. Until the end of time. Before, during, and after forever. In all eternity."
Next, Gamer gazed across the nudist beach, and he ate up all the sexy individuals. The shellies' bodies were on full display. Some chumps were down-dressed, and their dark muscles added to their appeal.
"Mmm, even though we're next to the ocean, I can't help but be thirsty," Gamer commented at the beauties.
"Actually, drinking seawater only makes you more dehydrated. It's advised you don't do that," Minnie PSA'd.
The innuendo went right over her head. Her innocence tickled Gamer, "Minnie, you're adorable."
"There is plenty to explore at Sunshine Resort. Many nooks and crannies to become lost in. You really aren't going to cause any issues, Gamer?" Persica showed doubt.
"C'mon, Persica, babe, what do you take me for? I danced with ghosts last night, for crying out loud. I know how to put fun before business," Gamer schmoozed.
Persica furrowed her brow in confusion, "That happened two nights ago."
The consequences of his skips slapped Gamer. Samira expressed disappointment, "Shame, shame (ᴗ_ ᴗ )"
Persica didn't even want to bother making heads or tails with Gamer's attitude. She strutted forward and led the group towards the center building. All eyes were on them, especially with the princess present. No hostility came their way, but the tension became palpable. The central building was an information kiosk, with counters of pamphlets, billboards, and posters. Events were lined up throughout the day, and directions to any stall imaginable were on display.
Those behind the counters, and who acted as tour guides or staff members, were unique creatures. A bit wide around the love handles, these humanoids were every color of the rainbow. They only wore straw skirts and/or unbuttoned t-shirts. They had beady eyes, low-hanging noses, and a Mary Jane-looking plant growing out of their heads.
"Potentas," Minnie cut ahead of Gamer's growing curiosity. "Lord Shellie offers them protection in exchange for running the resort. They are plant people who love tropical locations and drum music. They wrote up the non-violence agreement."
"I suspect they're fans of rainbow beanies and hammocks, too," Gamer instantly latched onto the culture they were inspired by.
"I like them," Persica smiled and waved to each one. Gamer and Samira shared a knowing glance.
The group approached the one counter that didn't have a waiting line. The green potenta behind the counter greeted them nervously, "Um...hi, welcome to Sunshine Resort. Um...h-how can I help you?"
"Good day. Is Lord Shellie here?" Persica asked.
The potenta started to quiver, "I-I can s-send for him shortly. W-would y-y-you like t-to..."
"Excuse me..." Gamer interrupted. She yelped and shook even more uncontrollably. He needed to know, "Why are you so nervous?"
"Y-you are well-known i-i-in th-these parts..." the potenta guided the group's eyes to the side wall of the info kiosk. Two wanted posters were present; one labeled Gamer, and the other labeled Traitor.
The mugshots were drawn by somebody with horrible eyesight, or less functionality than a toddler. Gamer's mug was way out of proportion, with wide cheeks, a huge forehead, and clown hair. His signature grin looked like a guy trying to smile for the first time. Minnie's mugshot was just a rudimentary sideview drawing of an actual turtle on all fours. Her blonde hair is the only thing that distinguished her from the animal.
"That's...mortifying..." Gamer's eye twitched.
"Oh, wow! It's me!" Minnie joyfully framed her face sideways next to the poster, for comparison.
"Cammy informed Lord Shellie, as we expected," Minnie said.
The potenta rubbed their hands together, which were more like oven mittens. No actual fingers. Her nerves leveled out a bit, "When Kammy returned from her mission to escort you, we assumed you were dead. Yet, here you are...unscathed, no less."
"Lucky happenstance with that one," Persica remained humbled.
"Well, check it out, we're here and we wanna have some fun!" Gamer clapped his hands together. "We'll follow your non-violence agreement, play some minigames, and wait for the big boss to arrive."
The potenta liked the sound of that, "Hmm, well, okay! You don't seem all that scary."
"We're not here to cause any trouble. We want to make amends for all the bad stuff happening between Persica's people and Lord Shellie's people," Minnie chirped. She caught an approval from the princess, and they both gave each other thumbs up.
Before the persuaded potenta could respond, a crackly, elderly voice came from above, "Well, well, well, I'd be careful of the traitor's lies!"