Gib the Sea Goblin

In the dark and mysterious depths of the ocean, where shimmering sunlight barely penetrated, lived a curious and timid sea goblin named Gib. With slimy green skin, large luminous eyes, and webbed fingers, Gib was unlike most other creatures that roamed the ocean floor. Shy and introverted, Gib preferred to lurk in the shadows, observing the vibrant marine life from a distance.

The Goblin, The Port, and the Lost Broach

While other sea goblins reveled in their mischievous antics and playful games, Gib often felt like an outsider. The boisterous laughter and camaraderie of their peers made Gib anxious. To help destress, Gib made a habit of watching the lives of those who lived at Cape Zaffre, and listening to the odd sounds they made when near each other. Hidden away under the docks in their secluded corner, Gib's keen intellect and curiosity flourished.
One day, during a routine scavenger hunt for their sea goblin kin, Gib uncovered a beautifully decorated broach near the port - how long it had been there, Gib was unsure. It was much like a clam, that when pressed right, it opened, and inside was a gray, smooth material with several faces etched on its surface, like a memory you could hold. Distressed at the loss of such a beautiful item, Gib made their way below the docks, then up onto the pier, and looked about for the person who must have dropped it.
Most of those in Cape Zaffre, while having a deep connection to the ocean, were horrified by the sight of a slimy green boi on their pier, approaching them, and speaking to them in frantic gestures. See, Gib spoke Marald, which is a sign language of the sea, accompanied by bioluminescence color snaps and shifts. To say that most steered clear of the glowing red goblin was an understatement, and Gib felt defeated.

Meeting Romitri the Sailor

Sitting on the docks between worlds, eventually another ship docked and began to unload their cargo. A friendly and concerned sailor approached Gib.
“Hey Buddy - you alright? You are looking a little green around the gills.”
Gib looked up confused - gestured, colors popping in orange and yellows.
The sailor squatted next to Gib, squinting, before standing up without another word and walking off.
Gib hunched, deflated, but the sailor soon returned with a book in their hand. Sitting next to the creature, he opened it. Gib would later learn this was a book that documented the language of the area Fteu̯tkla, and the pair made a habit of opening up the book and trying to communicate.

“I’m Romitri. What’s your name”
“Hhhhhh-eye-ma ma-me-tree. HHhhwath hyar nam?”
“No, bud - My name is Romitri. What’s YOUR name?”

Over time, Gib's language skills grew, and their grasp of Fteutkla became surprisingly proficient. But a lingering fear held them back—the fear of being rejected and ridiculed for their peculiar appearance, and now accent, and shy nature. And Romitri, their teacher, could not stay for long. Soon, he sat back out to sea.

Setting Sail from the Comfort Zone

The day before he set sail, as the people gathered along the coast again, gems and jewels in hand, Gib mustered the courage to approach them. Gib’s heart pounded in their chest as they observed the group and the discomfort in their looks. This was their chance to step out of the darkness and into the light—to be seen and heard. This was their chance to return the broach.
Taking a deep breath, Gib slowly spoke up, “Hyelo.” the group stared at him, their eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected sight. But Gib persisted, determined to be understood and accepted. He held out the broach. “This fell into t’ sea.”
Slowly, members of the group approached, looking between themselves and exchanging curious glances, smiles in revelation, and an elder approached. “My dear, this belonged to one of us, surely, but we give our gems to the sea as we ask the sea dragon for safe passage”
It took Gib a moment to parse out the meaning of the words, and leaned his head to the side. “But t’ere is a memory in the clam.” and Gib opened up the broach, revealing a soggy photo of someone. An exclamation came from the back of the group, and a red haired woman came in front of the goblin in joyful tears. “That’s my broach! That’s my husband’s photo!”
Gib looked at the memory in the clam and saw it now to be Romitri’s face beside this very woman. They handed it to her, an she tenderly received it, removed the photo, and handed the broach back. “Please,” she smiled, “Join us as we bid our friends and family farewell.”
The tension in Gib's body melted away, replaced by a newfound sense of belonging. “Yes!” He said simply, and watched as the boat began to leave. He watched as the villagers all clutched their belongings, and as the ship left port, in unison - gems, jewels, and heirlooms were tossed into the sea.
The crowd stayed together a while longer, talking back in forth, and Gib looked back up to the lady.
“I am Gib. What’s h’your name?”
She smiled, “Blythes.” She knelt beside him and held out her hand, its a pleasure to meet you.

And the Rest is History

Over time, they became an integral part of the Cape Zaffre community, proving that friendship could transcend appearances and differences.
As the days passed, Gib's Fteutkla improved, and they began venturing back to their goblin community to teach their kin about the people, the language, and trade. They discovered that the more they ventured beyond their comfort zone, the more friends they made, both underwater and above the waves.
In Gib, the both the coastlanders and the goblins learned the power of acceptance and the joy of embracing uniqueness. And as for Gib, they found the courage to step out of the shadows and deal with their discomfort of being seen, knowing that friendship and connection awaited them in the world they had once feared. - Even after Gib passed away, the bonds between sea goblins and the coastlanders remain the same - unified by the very sea.