Thalotra

"Our people have been living in the abyssal dark for 3000-ish years. I do not know what the world was like before, but I was told it was dry and barren. The history books tell that our ancestors saw the impact of a great rock from the world above and hid away. Only to resurface to a barren world with nothing left. No food, no water, but air was abundant back then. Only the strongest made it through, and when they saw the great flood coming on the horizon. They built us our home, to keep out the water and to prevent us from drowning. Titanium and Brass being the two materials they had - " "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. When are you going to get to the good stuff book report! When are we getting into the good stuff!”   "I am getting there, can you just wai-"   I am rudely interrupted by my friend, who was sitting there listening to my report for our history studies.   "BUT do you know about what is happening today?!"   "No, what?"   "The Paemons are coming in supposedly! They may have even brought a new artifact from the before times. Sure we may not be able to see it, but watching the fanfare when they do bring it back, from the drums to the trumpets and sirens. I cannot wait to see what they brought back this time"   "Probably just another lead box"   "But what is inside it is what makes everything work! I would die if I could just get to spend one day as a Paemon, and get to see what is out there."   "Maybe we will, just you and me."   Sirens blare in the distance and sound of drums start going   "OH ITS TIME! LETS GET GOING WE HAVE TO SEE!!   "But my book report-"   "BOOK-SHMOOK COME ON!"   The two dart down to the metal docks as the gates open and a large oceanic submarine comes in, lowering itself into the docks. A crowd gathers around the docs being kept at a safe distance as the vessel is latched into position and the pressure lock closes behind it. One of the 5 Grand Overseers is escorted out onto the dock by a group of city guards and engineers. They stand as the hatch on the side of the submarine opens and folds out a ramp as the group of 5 Paemons walks down a ramp with a lead container being carried by two of them. As they do so, trumpets and drums playing a rhythmic, quick, and jovial beat play. They pause dramatically as it is handed to the Grand Overseers who smile graciously as words are exchanged and the overseer speaks.   "PEOPLE OF NEW LOSPON, IT IS TO MY PLEASURE WE HAVE ACHIEVED NEW HEIGHTS THANKS TO THE PAEMONS. AND TONIGHT WE BEGIN THE INVESTIGATION OF FURTHERING OUR SOCIETY THANKS TO THEIR DISCOVERIES!"   The crowd goes into an uproar, the trumpets and drums start again as the Paemons are escorted away, signing autographs and items as they pass, their city guard escort barely keeping the fans away. One of them leans down and signs my friend's forehead with a scratchy ink pen, they turn and smile ear to ear, the ink running down their face as they say.   "I hope someday we can be just like them."