Paluuth silently swam through the turquoise waters, his bioluminescent tendrils trailing behind him as he followed the two-legged castaway paddling across the lagoon. Many moon cycles had passed since the creature; Anon washed onto his isolated domain in a deafening blaze of screeching metal. Initially wary, Paluuth kept his distance, spying on this unfamiliar being who walked on land with awkward, stilted steps.

But as the days wore on, Paluuth felt an unexpected stir of empathy watching Anon struggle to catch fish or gather oysters to eat. Compelled to help, the aquatic alien began leaving part of his own nightly catches piled on the shoreline, though he darted away whenever Anon approached. An unspoken kinship formed between the stranded human and the curious but naive alien they had yet to properly meet.

Today Paluuth decided to reveal himself. As Anon swam laps seemingly enjoying themselves, Paluuth drifted closer to the surface until only his eyes and bioluminescent crowned head breached the gentle waves. He stood transfixed a mere arm’s length away, waiting for Anon to notice his imposing yet curious presence. But the moment Anon turned towards the movement in their peripheral vision, Paluuth instantly recoiled, ducking underneath the water once more - not ready for a direct encounter just yet anymore, scared and regretting revealing himself already. His skittish nature around Anon was a bit comical considering his imposing stature. He peered from a safer distance behind a rock, hoping his sneaky gestures of friendship had sparked more intrigue than fear in Anon regarding the island’s unique sole resident.