A Sand Spirit's Detour

It's so nice and quiet this morning. I wish it was always like this.

Hey, Aldo! Did ya hear? Varuo's gotten into a huge fight on the hill at the edge of the village.

Again? He's got a real temper, huh? Lemme guess. He's going at it with Langelo?

No, not this time. It was hard to tell because they were tumbling around, but it looked like a girl.

Huh?!

But she was hissing and growling like another cat or something.

Oh, and, One second she was there, and then she was gone! And then an hourglass appeared out of nowhere...

An hourglass?

Yeah! It was flying around and everything!

I'm not sure what's going on, but I think I should go see it for myself.

...Varuo?!

Okay, okay! I'm going!

*hiss*

I think Varuo and the girl or the hourglass or whatever should be around here...

Wait, there it is!

I've never seen a flying hourglass before. How is it...

Don't touch meow!

It...it can talk?!

Huh? A human?

Oh, well, why didn't you say so? I can speak human just fine, ya know.

By the way...is that black thing still there? Is it looking this way?

You mean Varuo?

Yeah, he's still staring at you. And he looks like he's about to pounce.

What?! Aw, come on! He's still mad?!

I've never seen Varuo so suspicious of anyone. What'd you do?

N-nothing, really... I saw him walking along, so I was like, "Hey, Aldo's cat! Long time no see!" But then he looked at me like he had no idea who I was! So I walked over to him, hoping he'd remember. But no such luck. So I just kept walking closer and closer, and he suddenly lunged at me outta nowhere!

Yeah, cats like their personal space. He probably felt threatened.

...Wait a minute. How do you know my name?

Huh? Aldo...? Is that you?

Yeah, I'm Aldo, one of the guards here.

No way! Why didn't you just say so?!

Sorry 'bout that!

I dove so deep in the sand, I couldn't see ya clearly.

...Ack!

I-I'm not scared of him, I swear! I-I'm just giving him his personal space like you said!

......

*sigh* I haven't seen you in forever, and this is how you have to see me? So not cool...

But I guess that's just who I am, huh?

Anyway! Aldo, I'm back! You have no idea how much trouble I went through to see you again!

Uh...

Oh, and just so you know, me getting into it with Varuo is partly your fault!

I wanted to surprise you, so I hid in your stuff, but you were completely clueless!

Anyway, I was getting kinda bored, so I started doing all sorts of things, like, going on walks and secretly helping you fight.

But you STILL didn't notice, so I was planning on popping out and surprising ya today, but then I got sidetracked...

......

Aldo? What's wrong? You look like you ate a stink bug.

Uh... Well... I'm not sure how to say this...

But do we know each other?

...Wha?

You're kidding, right?!

Did you hit your head or something? It's me! Ramiu! Your BFF!

Ramiu...?

Sorry, I don't think I know you.

For real?!

You don't remember me? Not even a little bit?

We went to all those different worlds and times! We even ran into Salamander and the Beast King...

O-Or how about...

Oh, there's no way you forgot that prank I played on you. Or that other one. Or the time we shared a blanket...

Sorry. None of that sounds familiar...

But...but...!

I rushed all the way over here because I finally tracked down your scent...

Why...? What happened to your memories...? Is it Edabami? Is it back?

Edabami...?

You know what? Fine. You obviously don't remember me, but don't worry, Aldo!

I'll find a way to bring back your memories so you remember every single second we spent together!

By the way, how's it going at the Observatory of Time? Is hologram Grampy doing alright?

Grampy...? Uh, if you mean Grandpa, yeah, he's doing fine.

No, not the mayor...

...Whoa, I just got major déjà vu.

Anyway, all you need to know is I'm not some weirdo you need to be afraid of. I promise.

......

The two of us went on this epic adventure AGES ago. Well, ages ago for me. For you, it wasn't that long ago. Afterward, I had to go do some stuff, but I came back here because I wanted to see you again.

Whether you believe me or not, we're friends. The ultimate besties!

...This is weird, but I do believe you. And now it's bugging me that I can't remember any of it. For what it's worth, you don't seem like a bad person to me.

A-Aldo!!!

I'm so glad you're still you! You haven't changed one single bit!

Huh? What does that mean...?

Never mind. But I really am sorry I don't remember. You're not the kind of person anyone could forget, even if they tried.

Hey! What's THAT mean?!

It's a compliment. Anyway, do you think there's a way to jog my memory? Like visiting places we've been together?

Hmm, that's not a bad idea. The observatory would be the perfect place to start, but you don't remember that either...

Oh, there's a place that's really special to the both of us, the Nuaru Uplands! Let's go there!

The Nuaru Uplands? Alright, sure. Let's go.

Mmm! I forgot how nice the breeze is!

So...we've been here before?

Yeppers! We came here lookin' for something.

And then I started talking to every living thing we came across, which surprised the heck outta ya.

Any of that ring a bell?

No, sorry.

...Hey, are you sure I'm the Aldo you remember? Maybe you're thinking of someone else.

No way! I could never mistake you for anyone else.

Look. If you see someone in trouble, you can't leave them alone, can you?

And then one thing leads to another, and you find yourself in something big. But you always figure out a way to resolve it.

You're bright and shiny and warm like the morning sun, and you draw everyone in like...like...

A magnet!

There's no one else in all the worlds that's like you!

A magnet? Thanks...I think.

*chortle* But it's true, isn't it? You can charm people and cats and nations...and even planets!

I-I wouldn't go that far...

But from the way you're talking, I guess you really do know me.

So why can't I remember you...?

Hmm...

Hey, why don't you catch me up on what you've been doing in the meantime?

I wanna hear all about your new adventures!

You do? Okay, sure. Well...

Oh, wow. That sounds like a real doozy!

......

Ramiu? You okay?

Hm? Yeah, I was just thinking.

That visus thing you mentioned... Think we could go see it?

Yeah, sure. But it's turned off so it won't work.

That's okay. I just wanna check something.

Well, alright. Just make sure not to cause any trouble or anything, okay?

Pfft! C'mon, when have I ever?

Well, this is it. It's sound asleep, so don't bother it too much, okay?

Got it!

Hmm, I knew it. It looks exactly the same as the last time we were here.

Wait, we've been here too?

Hey, Ramiu, I've been wondering...

What was our adventure like? And how did we even meet?

I don't know anything about you, like where you came from or what that "stuff" you needed to take care of was...

Hmm, I guess you don't.

Look, the thing is, I think I might know what's going on.

But I wanna make absolutely sure before I tell you anything. That okay?

Yeah, of course that's okay. But how do you plan on making sure?

*chortle* Watch this.

Wh-what...?

There, there. Sorry for waking you.

I just need a teeny bit of help, and then you can go back to sleep again.

......!

...Alright, figures.

Thanks for your help. Now close your eyes and go back to sleep. Sweet dreams, little one.

I-Is it over?

Sure is! And I made sure not to disturb it any more than I had to.

Babies sure are cute when they're sleeping, huh? It reminds me of the old days...

You think the visus embryo...is cute?

Anyway, you got what you wanted, right?

Did you figure things out?

Yeppers. I had an inkling, but now I'm 100% sure.

Long story short, it turns out...

I totally got the wrong guy!

What?!

Ya see, I thought it was kinda weird.

Everything you told me about your adventure was mostly familiar, except for some tiny things here and there.

So I asked the visus thing to show me your past, and now I know for sure what's going on.

You're Aldo, there's no doubt about it. Just not the one I'm looking for.

You have the same name, the same personality, but you're a slightly different Aldo than the one I know.

A different Aldo? You mean like a version of me from a parallel time layer?

Is that where you're from too?

A what? What's that?

All I know is that I didn't have to do anything special to get here. I just swam against the flow from someplace far away.

O-Okay...? So you're not from a parallel time layer, then.

And you're saying there's another Aldo that exists somewhere?

Well, yeah. The world's humongous, you know! And I traveled a really long way to get here.

So it's not all that weird that I bumped into another you along the way, is it?

Uh, n-no...?

I guess...the world's a lot bigger than I thought.

Okay, so what now? Are you gonna go look for the other Aldo?

'Course! I promised I'd go see him again!

Hmm, but how? Maybe if I swam back in time a little...

You can do that?!

Easy peasy! Well, that part is, at least.

It... It is?

Hrrrmmm... The question is how and where and when I hafta swim to get to where he is.

Ugh... My brain hurts just thinking about it!

Where's Grampy and the others when you need 'em? Hmmm...

Well, take as much time as you need, okay?

And even though I'm not your Aldo, if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.

Aldooo! Why do you have to be so nice?!

You're making me miss him even more!

What...what are you...

You always do this! But I'm not falling for your charms!

I'm not and I won't! So there!

Wh-What'd I do...?

Anyway, gotta come up with a plan.

...So you're done hitting me, then?

If I'm gonna go swimming, the conditions need to be good.

When the air's nice and still...and after the sun's gone down. Which means...tonight is go time!

Mind hanging out with me till then?

Yeah, sure. If you want some company, I'm game.

Thanks, Aldo! Then let's go to the Moonlight Forest.

I've been dying to do that thing we used to do... Uh, what was it called again?

Oh, yeah. Camping!

Camping?

This should be a good spot.

Oh, and I brought a bunch of stuff we used during the guards' outdoor training.

You don't carry it in a wrapping cloth?

A...wrapping cloth?

Yeah! Ratchett made, Uh, never mind.

Wait, is this all we have to cook with? How's that gonna work?

You... You wanna cook? Here?

*chortle* Of course! If you go camping, you HAVE to cook! It's, like, the law!

Aldo used to whip stuff up for us all the time.

But since he's not here, I'll be your chef today!

Everything okay, Ramiu? Sure you don't need any help?

Hm? Umm...

Yowch!

Nope, I'm good. Everything's fine. Toootally fine.

Are you sure...?

Well, if you say so. But this proves I'm definitely not the Aldo you're looking for.

I don't really go camping that often, let alone cook outdoors.

Yeah, you two definitely have a lot in common, but you're different in other ways too.

But you know...

I think deep down, you're both the same.

It's like you're...connected. You even have the same comforting smell, like the warmth of the morning sun.

It's what made me want to come back here after all this time!

A-A smell? It's not a weird smell, is it...?

*chortle* 'Course not!

*sniff* What's that weird smell?!

Hey! I thought you said...

Oh, you mean the food. Wait, why weren't you keeping an eye on it?!

What do I do, Aldo?! Is there water?! I need water!

*sigh* I thought you were gonna burn the whole forest down.

What were you trying to make, anyway?

Huh? Oh, uhhh...

Esta-style roast beef-style roast acrylidactyl- style imperial bean soup-style delish fish dish-style taste-of-home curry-style...

Wrap do zalsa...style.

Style...what? What's the dish?

I don't know! I just wanted to make you something yummy!

But this whole cooking thing's harder than I thought.

Aldo made it look easy, so I thought I could do it too.

The other me sounds pretty handy.

Yeah, I guess he is. *crunch* *crack*

*munch* He can also craft weapons and armor and stuff too.

*crump* *chomp* Oh, and he'd make gifts to give to his friends...

What's with all the crunching? You're not eating that thing you made, are you?

Yeppers! That thing I made from all the other things.

Oh, but don't even think about trying it, Aldo. I doubt a human can handle this. You might get sick or explode or something.

So how can you, Wait a minute, you're not human?

Not exactly. I'm made from all sorts of things so my stomach can handle it just fine. *crunch* *crack*

Are you sure? I dunno... I get the feeling I should be keeping an eye on you.

*chortle* You sound just like the other Aldo!

So it's not just me!

It's like if I turn away for a second, you'll disappear, only to show up later in some kind of mess, bawling your eyes out.

What?! How could you know that?!

What?! I was just kidding...

*chortle* I guess Aldo in every world is... Aldo.

You know me even better than I know myself.

Speaking of the other me, what's he like anyway?

Seems like you two spent a lot of time together, so you must know each other pretty well. Care to tell me about him?

You wanna know? For real?!

Okay... *chortle* Where do I start? Umm...

...And the roast acrylidactyl he makes is gritty and super tender!

That's the meat Ratchett likes, right? I didn't know you could actually eat it...

Right! And then we take turns going pow, yah, hah, bam, and hyaaah!

Sounds like our fighting styles are pretty different...

And then there was that time I took over your body.

What?! Why'd you do that?!

Well, it's getting pretty late.

Are you ready to, uh, swim back in time or whatever?

Huh? Well, um... Ummm...

It'll only take two seconds to get ready, so mind if we keep talking just a little bit longer?

Yeah, I mean, if you're good with it.

Yay! Okay, then what else...

And he was always going around giving gifts to people being all charming and stuff.

Sometimes I'd see him going off with someone, just the two of them!

He was always getting pulled in every direction, I was worried his arms and legs would pop out!

That's a scary thought...

Oh, hey, it's getting pretty late. Are you sure you don't have to leave yet?

Nah, it's totally fine! Besides, I was just getting to the good part!

But...

Ugh... Okay, fine! You got me!

I don't wanna leave because I'm having way too much fun talking to you about the other Aldo!

I have so many stories about our adventures, you wouldn't believe it...

H-Hey! Don't laugh!

Sorry, it's just...I didn't expect such an honest answer.

So you know, I'm happy to listen to whatever stories you wanna tell me.

You've been on a real long journey, right? And you still have a long journey ahead. So what's a small detour?

A detour?

Yeah. Besides, for all we know, maybe you coming here wasn't entirely random chance.

And since you ARE here, why not stay a while so you'll have stories to tell the other Aldo when you see him again?

I know you have a plan and all, but feel free to stay as long as you want.

Thanks, Aldo...

Hehe! Then I think I will!

Here's to our weird little detour and lots more stories to come!

Wait... What is that?

Oh, it's a fresh ultra drinQ MAX-style chilled sphere cotta-style dovekas black udon-style kitten-tongue toddy-style.

Thanks, but I think I'll pass...

...Ramiu. Ramiu.

Mmm... Yeah?

You're not asleep, are you? The sun's coming up soon.

'Course not. And then Aldo...and Mirth Punch...with the Great Elementals... And... And...

Alright, story time's over. I really think you should leave before...

Mmm... Yeah, I know...

Ramiu.

Mm... Mmm...

Wha, Hey! Ramiu? Ramiu?!

Zzz...

I can't believe you fell asleep. What happened to leaving tonight?

...Well, I guess we'll figure it out tomorrow.

For now, I should get her back to the village so she doesn't catch a cold.

...Aldo!

How'd you sleep? The sun's already high above the pekari trees, you know.

Oh, no, am I turning into Feinne...? Anyway, you fell asleep last night, so I brought you back here.

I hope you weren't in a hurry to leave.

I was, but not anymore.

Really?

I decided not to rush. Instead, I'm gonna take all the detours I can!

Huh?

Remember what you said yesterday?

That I should spend some time here so that I'll have stories to tell the other Aldo?

Well, I decided I'm gonna stay here and do a bunch of fun stuff before I go see him.

So seeing him can wait?

Yeppers! I already know where, er, when I need to go back to.

So as long as I can get there in the end, a few detours won't hurt.

...Besides...

Yeah?

...Never mind.

Anyway! I have a super duper important question for you, Aldo!

Will you take me with you on your adventures?

If you say yes, I promise we'll have a blast! But if you say no, I promise you'll be really, really, REALLY sad.

Haha! Don't you mean YOU'LL be sad?

Ramiu, I'd be happy to have you along. Things won't be boring with you around, that's for sure.

Really?! There's no takebacks, you know!

Then it's settled. We're officially adventure buddies!

Why don't you let me make you breakfast? A Feinne-style homemade sandwich-style...

Uh, why don't you just relax? I'll go see if there's anything to eat.

I really don't mind...

I wonder if this is how Grampy felt, helping all those different versions of Aldo.

There's just something about him that makes you wanna step in and help, no matter which version of him it is.

He has this way of pulling you in, almost like gravity. I guess nobody's immune to his power, not even me.

So, Aldo, you're gonna have to wait a little bit longer...

But when I do finally see you again, I bet I'll have a million fun stories to share with ya!