To quickly recap, this scene is following up Lucia’s first encounter with a Box Crab – basically the Realmgard equivalent of the Mimic archetype of “monster hiding in a box.” Long story short, she made a friend.
Funnily enough, Delicious in Dungeon also takes this approach to Mimics by making them crabs that hide in (or at least have shells shaped like) chests, but I had the idea before I ever watched Delicious in Dungeon.
© J.B. Norman — Published by Emona Literary Services™
“So, um” Lucia asks, vainly trying to glance upwards to see just what is unfolding on top of her head. “What do I do now? He’s not going to try to eat me again, is he?”
The Box Crab that the group previous encountered in the seaside cave has decided that it wanted to make a friend. And ever since being placated by Alda, it’s been following after Lucia, ultimately decided to follow her by settling right on top of its head.
The namesake natural camouflage of the Box Crab is a shell that appears at first glance to be a treasure chest, allowing the creatures to get the jump on any unwary or greedy adventurers.
And now, for some reason, it’s on top of Lucia’s head.
“Box crabs are very shy and timid,” Alda explains.
“He wasn’t timid when he was trying to eat me!” Lucia protests.
“They get spooked by things that are bigger than they are,” Alda continues. “I think he’s just making himself feel bigger, so he feels more comfortable.”
Lucia heaves a heavy sigh.
“Whatever,” she says. “Let’s just keep going.”
And, so, Lucia, Apolline, Petra, Alda, Roland, and their new friend continue through the seaside cave. Luckily, no other wildlife decides to try nesting on her head.
“You know,” Roland muses, breaking the silence and staring at the Box Crab as it rides along on Lucia’s head. “We probably should give him a name.”
Lucia eyes the musclebound alchemist sceptically.
“Weren’t you just talking about wanting to eat him?”
“Yeah, but Alda told me not to,” the answers bashfully.
“Uh huh,” Lucia says.
“He looks like an Alexamenos,” Petra declares abruptly after a long moment spent contemplating the Box Crab.
The others turn towards the Troll-Amazon.
“Alexamenos the Waylayer,” Petra explains, “was an ancient bandit in the Elven Empire. He would hide in a barrel at the roadside. Then he would jump out at passers-by with his spear. And stab them in the liver.”
“Oh,” Apolline mutters.
“We can’t call him that!” Alda protests. “Look how cute he is! He can’t name him after a stabby guy!”
Roland continues to stare thoughtfully at the Box Crab, who continues to be quite comfortably perched on Lucia’s head.
“Hmm. I think he looks more like a Melvin,” he decides.
“Do I want to know?” Lucia asks.
“Oh, easy,” Alda interjects, speaking on her brother’s behalf. “That’s because Melvin is always the one name Roland can think of when he needs a name.”
“Yeah,” Roland admits. “But I do still think he looks pretty Melvin-y.”
“How are you holding up, Lucia?” Apolline asks, the Aurorean sorceress glancing over at her.
“Whatever. We can name him anything. Just get him off. my. head!” Lucia says.
She groans.
Why her?
Maybe it’s because being a Wilderling means she’s part-animal herself. But any animals – Freenbirds, Dire Marmots, Grand Tarquinian Moths, and now Box Crabs – the group ever encounters seem to always go after her.
“If he starts getting agitated,” Alda instructs, “just give him another coconut.”
Now, I’m not really trying to do anything with this one, but I feel like ‘character conveniently produces food and/or object from nowhere’ is kind of funny…
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