Submission (#1897) Approved

An erupting crackle and boom filled the sky, catching the gazes and gestures of numerous Terraliens and their respective pet companions. By the lakeside, ripples in the water bubbled and pushed to the surface, revealing more sullen, unseen faces. The ones of marine Terra’s who wished to dwell underwater more than they wished to be on dry land and under the sun. The water was more comforting.

Snapper was a marine Terralien who was the opposite. Surely, he needed to enter the water on his own time, and he had a lovely hidden grotto, half-submerged, that he called his home. Inhabited by only himself, and only found accidentally by some meandering underwater pests. As much as he enjoyed the ocean and the many rivers winding through Terrah, and how being in the water and swimming came so easily, the land was lovely. Walking, skipping in the sun, curled under the moonlight… It was a serene feeling.

As for now, he sat on the dock with his paws dangling into the water below, causing small waves across the surface. To his left, he saw smaller Terralien’s playing, and then suddenly stopping as the booms began, looking up and excitedly chirping to one another. They were ecstatic about the fireworks, but had grown quiet, and stared at the sky. To Snapper’s right, there was an older Terralien, one he had only seen a handful of times, looking up into the sky as they held hands with their elder partner as well. The two of them calm and silent, reassuring one another that yes, they were still alive. They were still there.

Snapper’s visor slowly shifted to look at the bright starry sky, decorating in dancing lights of all shades and colors in a loud, gentle dance. As they crackled and sparks flew high above where he sat peacefully, he sighed. The previous year had been nothing but difficult, and presented nothing but challenges. It almost was so desolate to where his visor companion, the toy-like Loch Ness Monster, fell very ill just from the emotional stress he felt.

But now looking into the sky of artificial stars, he could see his own worries become one with the fading firework sparks; becoming obsolete. A thing of the past. Artificially removed from his own body.

It was a New Year, and Snapper had high hopes, and he would be lucky if he knew just how well that next year went.