Expedition Day 1: Entry 3

After acquiring both a Weenieworm and the hopping corn (called a Cobhopper) I then fed the Weenieworm to Beffica and she smiled at the taste... and then her hand turned into a hot dog. "So delicious! You're missing out, bestie... you haven't eaten a single Bugsnak yet, right? I can tell because you don't have any limbs changed," Beffica said with a smile as I then simply lifted up my shirt to show her that the Lollive was still moving in my stomach... but much less so. "Um... what's in your tummy?"

"Something called a Green Lollive... yeah, I don't get the same things with Bugsnax as the others, since I'm not a Grumpus. I was barely able to get the snak down without help from a water bottle, it feels very weird because it keeps thrashing about inside of my tummy, and it's taking much longer to digest than the other snax that the Grumpuses eat... so it's no wonder that my limbs haven't changed, since I haven't even finished digesting the poor thing," I said, Beffica looking at me in confusion.

"While you were out searching for my Weenieworm, I heard from Wambus that you can actually talk to Bugsnax? Like, is that true?" she asked, me smiling at that. She was always too curious for her own good, so that's why she had to know everything about everyone.

"Yep, it's true... when I arrived here, a giant Bugsnak called Mothza Supreme knocked me off of my balloon ship, and all I could hear it say was "Mothza". So I'm sure that all the Bugsnax for everyone else can only say their names, kinda like Pokegrumps, right?" I asked, Beffica nodding.

"Like, totes," she smiled.

"But then, after that earthquake hit, I fell off of a cliff and landed on my head... and when I woke up, the top of my head hasn't stopped emitting jelly... and I can hear the Bugsnax speaking normal language like English speech... the only thing I can think of is that, somehow, after I fell, something happened to me that made it so that I gained some kind of Bugsnak trait of some kind, hence the jelly coming from my head... and that, because of that, I can understand them?" I asked as Beffica then simply took her weeny hand, lathered it in some of the jelly on my head, and then licked at it.

"Hmm... tastes exactly like a Grapeskeeto! They usually appear at the Simmering Springs at night, so I don't know why your brain jelly tastes like them," she said, me smirking at the fact she called it brain jelly.

"Remind me to flick you on the schnozz for that brain jelly comment later on. For now, let's get back to the settlement. Want to lead the way?" I asked, Beffica nodding as we then went down the path. After walking down it for roughly 10 minutes, we then got to the settlement to see that it was practically abandoned. Filbo was by the town center and looked pretty deflated, Wambus was busy with a newly-planted ketchup bush, and almost all the houses were boarded up.

"Looks like Lizbert isn't here... wait... whose ship is this?" Beffica asked as she saw the ship before I did... and I saw that it was in a perfect place! It was situated on flat ground at the top of the hill looking over the town from our standpoint!

"That's my ship, but also not at the same time... it's a rental. Filbo said he'd inspect it for damages, so I'll have to ask if he did that yet," I said, Beffica nodding as she went down the hill and towards a hut that I bet was hers. I then went to Filbo and saw he looked upset.

"Sorry, buddy... I guess you won't get that interview with Lizbert after all..." he frowned, me smiling at him.

"Hey, who says that Lizbert was the only one I was going to interview? I plan to interview everyone here, starting with you... and after the interview, I'd like a tally of the damages to the ship I fell off, okay?" I said, Filbo then smiling.

"O-Oh, really? If you want to, then ask away," he smirked as I then got out recorder number 1 of 13 and pressed play on it.

"Who are you?" I asked with a smile.

"I'm Filbo Fiddlepie. I'm kinda like a... deputy mayor or something? I dunno... I'm not good at most stuff, but I like to help out," he smiled.

"Why come to Snaktooth Island?"

"Well, Lizbert asked me to tag along... so I dropped everything and here I am!"

"What are your thoughts on Bugsnax?"

"Oh, they're great! I mean, they taste good and they make everyone happy, what's not to love?"

"Any info on Elizabert?"

"Oh! Lizbert and I go WAY back! She was... IS awesome. She always knows what to do, and she brought out the best in all of us. She'd leave me in charge of watching Snaxburg while she went out hunting Bugsnax."

"So, is that how you became mayor?"

"Well... I wasn't really in charge. Nobody took me seriously. But as long as Lizbert came back with Snax, everyone was okay." I then noted that Filbo was upset, but I needed to know something.

"What happened to Snaxburg?"

"Well, one day, Lizbert went out looking for Snax... and never came back. I tried to step up and keep everyone calm... I was in charge, after all... but that didn't last too long... there was a big fight between all the residents... then the first earthquake happened, and then everyone decided they'd go out to find their own Bugsnax across the island on their own. I couldn't even keep us together for one day... I honestly don't know what Lizbert saw in me," Filbo said as I then sighed.

"I think we're done..." I sighed as I then pressed the stop button and then went over and gave Filbo a hug... and he hugged me back. "I don't know what Lizbert saw in you... but I can tell you that, when I see you, I see a very kind and very helpful man. You didn't judge me by my appearance when we first met, you've helped me out in giving me advice on how to trap Bugsnax, and you're willing to inspect my ship for damages. I think you've got a lot of good qualities, Filbo. But you need to realize those traits and then use them to help the others," I said, Filbo smiling at me after that.

"Thanks, Felicia... I have a favor to ask... could you go out and try to find the other Grumpuses? I want to reunite everyone to help finding Lizbert. Maybe, if we can get enough people helping, we can get Lizbert back, repair your ship, and we can make sure that you can get the story of the century," Filbo smiled at me.

"I'll already be the story of the century, considering that ever since I got this jelly head, I can actually understand the Bugsnax," I smirked at Filbo, him smiling at me.

"Yeah, I noticed that when you were hunting in the Garden Grove. It's kinda odd, but also cool!... Anyways, with Wambus and Beffica here, I'd like to suggest that you go to the Simmering Springs after you interview them. That's where Gramble and Wiggle are at," he said, me then doing a double-take at that second name.

"Wiggle? Would she, by chance, be my favorite singer ever? Wiggle Wigglebottom?" I asked, him smirking at that.

"She'll be super excited to meet a fan," Filbo said, my inner fangirl going crazy at that.

"Oh my gosh! Wiggle Wigglebottom is on this island! YES! I get to meet my favorite musician of all time! I love all her songs!" I smirked.

"Really? You like ALL of Wiggle's songs?" Beffica asked from nearby, me looking at her with a smile.

"Is there a problem with that?" I asked, her shaking her head no.

"No, no problem at all. It's just that most people only like her number one hit, "Do the Wiggle". She's sure to be surprised to hear that someone likes her other songs, too," Beffica said, me smirking at that.

"Well, I love all her songs. She sings with such passion with everything she does!... In fact, just because of the fact that it got overplayed, Do the Wiggle is actually my least favorite of her songs. I'm more a fan of Wiggle My Bottom and Wiggly Rhythm," I smirked, Beffica smirking at that.

"Phew, that's going to be the shock of the century for ol' Wiggle... anyways, you wanna do an interview with me, bestie?" Beffica asked, me smiling and nodding at that.

"Sure enough. Let's go to your place," I said, before getting stopped by Filbo.

"Oh right, before you go, I wanted to let you know that the damages to the ship were kinda bad. The balloon got torn and the propellers are kinda... busted? Also, there's a big hole on the left side. But don't worry, I can help put it back together with the others when we get some more Grumps back here," Filbo said, me then giving him a thumbs-up before following after the purple Grumpus in Beffica to the area in question, it being a pretty cute one-room house. I then hit the record button and I then asked the same questions I asked Filbo.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm Beffica Winklesnoot, former reporter, currently in hiding from a bunch of crazies," Beffica said, me nodding at that. She probably felt safe with me.

"Why did you come to Snaktooth Island?"

"Mainly for one reason. To run away from the paparazzi, the people that I got angry, and the fact that no international laws apply to this place," she said, me nodding at that.

"Okay... what are your thoughts on Bugsnax?"

"Oh, they are just the BEST! They're so cute I could eat 'em up... and I do!"

"Why did you leave town?" I asked.

"Ugh, there's drama, then there's mega drama. There's too many geminis around here and I got tired of dealing with walking dumpster fires," she frowned.

"So... what made you want to leave?"

"Cromdo Face. That greedy little squeeb started looting the second Lizbert went missing. Then, he had the gall to try and sell me Liz's projector! So, I showed off a bunch of pictures about what he'd done and then split town before anything else happened," Beffica said with a frown, me knowing that this Cromdo Face, mainly because he tried to sell me stuff at my door one time... and he was the definition of sleezy salesman.

"Any info on Lizbert?"

"What don't I know about Lizbert? Wink!"

'Please answer the question," I frowned.

"Ugh... Lizbert is cool and awesome and tries to see the best in everyone. It's impossible not to look up to her. She's practically invincible... but everyone has a weakness," she said.

"And what was Lizbert's 'weakness'?"

"Eggabell. Liz would go to the end of the world and back to make her happy. But if I've learned anything in life, you can't let your happiness depend on others," she frowned.

"So what happened with Liz?" I asked.

"She and Egg had a fight before they went hunting for Snax. I haven't seen them since. Though, if I'm being optimistic, they're probably having a romantic getaway or something?... Lasting for about a week?" Beff said with a small, half smile.

"That's all I guess. Thanks," I said as I then pushed stop and she smiled.

"Thanks, Bestie... by the way, I'd like it if I could be anonymous? I'd prefer not to be plastered on the news... I made a ton of enemies," she said, me nodding at that. "And in return, I'll give you this. It's the key to Liz's cabinet. The stuff in there is very personal, but finding her is more important." She then handed me the key (in the shape of a camera at the handle) and I smiled at her.

"How'd you get this key?" I asked. Beff just stuck out her tongue.

"Sorry, interview's over! But hey, if you happen to be around by nightfall, I'd like it if you could find out what Wambus does at night? I can't really find out his secrets on my own," she said, me frowning at that.

"Ugh... just promise me that you won't use it against him?" I said, her nodding at me.

"I promise," she smiled at me. "Anyways, a bit of extra information about Gramble and Wiggle. They're both over at the Simmering Springs. Also, try to not show your full tummy to Gramble? He's not too keen on seeing anyone who eats Bugsnax. He'd rather be best buds with them," Beff said, me thinking about that.

"Can he talk to the Snax, too?" I asked.

"Not that I heard. It's more that he treats them like pets... Wambus could tell you more, I'm sure," she said, me then going over to Wambus's farm and seeing that he was already cultivating the soil.

"Hey, Wambus? You mind if I could get an interview?" I asked, him then tilting his head.

"An interview? Well, alright, but make it quick, gotta get work done," he said, me nodding as I got the recorder and pushed the button.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"Wambus Troubleham, farmer," he said with a smile.

"Why'd you come to Snaktooth Island?"

"To start a farm," he said, me tilting my head at that.

"You couldn't have one on the mainland?"

"Peh! Like I can afford that. I guess you've never had to pay property taxes," he said, me sighing at that.

"Oof, tell me about it... anyways, what are your thoughts on Bugsnax?"

"Hmm.. what do I think about 'em?... They're pesky, tasty, and confusin'."

"How are they confusing?"

"Well, they ain't animals and they ain't plants. No organs, no seeds, nothin'! A-An' ya gotta eat 'em raw, or they turn to mush. I call that confusin'."

"Okay, why did you leave town?"

"Well, when Lizbert vanished, I decided to step up and farm sauce as an alternative. Though we woulda been fine on Bugsnax if it weren't for Gramble," he frowned.

"What's your issue with Gramble?"

"Peh! That weepy little rancher thinks all Bugsnax are his pets! Ptooey!" he spat out on the ground in disgust.

"Okay... Filbo said you had a wife. Where's she at?" I asked.

"Filbo needs to shut his grumpin' mouth. Triffany is off somewhere pokin' around at skeletons. None of my business."

"So... what happened between you two?"

"Hagh... well, when you've been married for as long as we have, the little spats just keep popping up. Doesn't take much to knock 'em all down..." he said with a forlorn look in his eyes.

"Any info on Lizbert, per chance?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Ah... respectable type, Elizabert. We'd trade sauce for snax now and then, or trade plants for Doctor Batternugget to make medicine."

"And Doctor Batternugget... that's Eggabell, right?"

"Yep, ya did yer research, as expected."

"So do you know what happened to Lizbert?"

"Couldn't say... She was off huntin' most of the time. Dangerous work, that is. Coulda fallen off a cliff, got caught in the earthquake, fell in the volcano... who can say?" he said, me nodding at that.

"Thanks, that's all," I said as I then pushed the stop button. "Sorry for taking time away from your farming for this. I'm hoping to find Lizbert," I said, him nodding.

"Actually, now that ya mention it, I could use a bit o'help with mah farmin'. See, nobody's found out how Bugsnax reproduce, but I think I've got an idea. I've seen up pop outta the dirt, fresh an' gooey-like. I'm thinkin' I can farm 'em. To start, I'll need a burrowin' Bugsnak an' a fruity bugsnak. Just put 'em in the dirt inside of these 'ere jars an' I'll take care of the rest," Wambus said, me smirking at that.

"Okay, I'm all for that," I smiled.

"An' before ya go findin' the others, I want ya'll to take this. I dunno what it's for, but it seems pretty important," he said as he handed me a piece of paper. And it was in Elizabert's handwriting! And it was talking about a contraption that required 3 Grumpuses to activate. I had to wonder what it was for, but I then decided it best to go try to find Gramble and Wiggle. I then proceeded towards Beffica's house and went past it towards the Simmering Springs.