Another successful mission with his grandfather usually put Kwazii in a good mood. Although it took a whole day to reunite a family of hermit crabs, it was always worth it to see their efforts make a positive difference in the world, big or small. The sun settled on the horizon as they sat on the beach, watching the small crustaceans celebrate their reunion.
"Phew, what a day," Calico Jack sighed, taking his place beside Kwazii. The old cat removed his peg leg, basking in the warm grains of sand and the gentle sea breeze. His parrot Pete roosted atop his hat and followed suit.
Kwazii rested his head on his knees, fidgeting slightly. The cluster of hermit crabs had grown in size as family members came to rejoice in the safe return of their youngest members. "Granddad?"
"Aye, Kwazii?"
His tail swished behind him, making small piles in the sand. In a voice so quiet Calico had to lean in to hear him above the lapping waves, Kwazii asked, "What were Mum and Dad like?"
The old cat tensed, the levity of the moment evaporating. "Ah, right. Ye were just a wee kit then."
Barely old enough for his eyes to open, Kwazii had no recollection of his parents. His earliest memory was of his grandfather teaching him how to tie knots aboard the Jolly Roger. Calico always avoided the subject, the pang of loss weighing heavier on him with actual memories of them. Their absence had never really bothered Kwazii before, comforted by his grandfather's presence in his youth and now his newfound family with the Octonauts.
But sometimes, whenever his crew members mentioned their families, or on missions like today, he found himself thinking about what he missed out on.
In the distance, the hermit crabs had concocted a game of exchanging shells. The adults laughed in amusement as one of the youngsters stumbled around with a shell much too big for their size.
A wistful expression crossed Calico's face as he met Kwazii's eye, as if spotting a lighthouse's anchoring beam through a thick fog. He scratched his whiskers in thought before exhaling slowly. "Where to start…Ye take after yer dad a lot, always jumping headfirst into things without a care in the world."
Pete ruffled his feathers as though he were shaking off a flea. "Squawk! Troublesome Tabby! Troublesome Tabby!"
"That's right, Pete, he gave us more gray whiskers before he could even walk!" Calico slapped what remained of his left leg as he let out a boisterous laugh. "Didn't matter whether he was on land or sea, he'd climb just 'bout anythin' he could get his paws on!"
It was more information about his father than Kwazii had hoped for, let alone expected. He pictured a younger Calico Jack chasing after a little ginger tabby up a ship's mast. "Guess we were both handfuls for you," he smirked.
"Aye, that ye were, but between the two of them, oh, yer mum was fiercer than a ring of fire!"
"Squawk! Quite a kicker!"
Leaning forward, Kwazii's eye widened. "Did—Did she know cat fu?"
"Who d'ye think ye got it from? So light on her paws ye never heard her until she got the drop on ya!"
"How did they meet?"
"Hmm, oh, if I remember correctly, yer dad was…'round yer age, I'd say. We were docked somewhere in the Caribbean for supplies when he and yer mum both reached for the same coconut." Calico shook his head fondly. "Of course, being the stubborn lot they were, they fought over it."
"Why didn't they just split it in half?" Brow furrowed, Kwazii drew a circle with a line down the middle in the sand.
"Ah, well, the hardheadedness of youth." Calico chuckled softly as he reached over and began drawing in the sand as well. "In the end, they broke it, but those two stayed together from then on." He leaned back in satisfaction as his grandson observed his handiwork.
The circle had evolved into a cat with an identical one by its side. Both of them held a smaller circle between them.
A lump formed in the back of Kwazii's throat, only it wasn't a hairball this time. He hugged his knees to his chest, tail curling around himself. "I wish I could've met them."
Pete fluttered to perch on Kwazii's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek, uttering soft chirps.
Calico wrapped his arm around his grandson and pulled him closer. In little more than a whisper, he lamented, "Me too, me boy, me too."
As the first stars blinked into view with the soft violet canvas of night, another thought wormed its way into Kwazii's head. It itched at his skull like a bothersome centipede until he could no longer keep the question bubbled up inside him.
"Do ye think they would've liked me?"
He felt Calico jolt for a moment before the old cat placed a firm grip on his shoulders. "They loved you, Kwazii, with all their hearts, and I know they'd be so proud of ya." The look in his eye had the same unwavering resoluteness Kwazii often saw in his captain whenever they faced a challenging mission or obstacle. No doubts, only certain, undeniable truth no storm could shatter.
Pete reached up with his wing and gently wiped the tears streaking down the young cat's face.
Kwazii raised his eyepatch and rubbed his eyes. "Thanks, little matey." His voice trembled as he smiled up at his grandfather. "I'm glad ye came back." Something in Calico unwound like a tangled knot undone, the lines on his face visible in the evening light. He pulled Kwazii into a tighter hug, resting his chin upon his head. "Wish I did sooner."
Almost two years ago, Calico had been presumed dead ever since his disappearance in the Amazon until accidentally bumping into an unconscious Kwazii drifting down the river. Their reunion had been brief due to rather life-threatening circumstances, but now that Calico worked with the Octonauts part-time as an Octo-Scout, the two of them finally had the chance to catch up on the lost years.
A drop of water plopped onto Kwazii's forehead, and he glanced up at the clear night sky where the stars blinked back at him.
As the tide came in, the hermit crab family began to depart for the evening. "Thanks again for all your help, Octonauts!" the head hermit crab waved her claw in gratitude. "You both take care now!"
"Squawk! Nighty night!" Pete flapped his wings and resumed his perch atop Calico's hat, bending down to nip at the old cat's cheek affectionately.
"Aye aye, ye ol' scalawag." Clearing his throat, Calico reached for his peg leg and brushed the sand off. "C'mon, better head back while there's still daylight left."
Pete and Kwazii exchanged a knowing grin while Calico hastily wiped his one eye. As Kwazii helped him to his feet, he asked, "Granddad, could…could ye tell me more about them?"
Beaming, Calico tousled the young cat's hair. "Aye, me boy, I'd be more than happy to."
"Oh!" Kwazii halted in his tracks and turned around. "One more thing."
Calico and Pete tilted their heads in confusion as Kwazii traced something in the sand. When he was done, Calico crossed his arms and nodded in approval. "Heh, perfect."
They hopped into the Gup-E, listening intently as the old cat regaled his grandson with more stories. Drawn in the sand behind them, three cats and a small parrot stood side by side with a kitten in the middle.
Author's Note: Hi, long time no see! Been a while hasn't it? I miss watching this series and been down for a while, so it's projecting on fictional characters hour! Clawing my way out to be productive again, hope you enjoy!