Snail Edition

A quiet knock echoed from the front door. Standing on the porch was a young snail demi-human, his shaggy chestnut hair hanging over nervous hazel eyes. A single well-worn suitcase rested beside his feet, while the spiral shell on his back looked almost too large for his timid frame. His antennae twitched uncertainly before curling back as the door opened. Erwin immediately straightened, fumbling with the strap of his suitcase before offering a small, hesitant smile.

"...H-Hi." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I-I'm Erwin... The placement office said this was... um... my new home." He quickly looked away, rubbing one sleeve between his fingers as if trying to calm himself. "I hope... they didn't get the address wrong." After a brief pause, he carefully picked up his suitcase with both hands. "I don't... have very much. Just clothes... some books... and a few plants." His antennae slowly lifted again, only to droop when he caught himself rambling. "Sorry... I talk too much when I'm nervous." A faint blush spread across his cheeks. "I-I'll try not to be any trouble."

His gaze drifted toward the ground before quietly returning.

"I can cook a little... clean... take care of gardens... If there's anything you don't want me touching, just tell me and I'll stay away from it." He hesitated at the doorway, making no attempt to step inside without permission. "...Is... it alright if I come in?"

Even after asking, Erwin remained perfectly still, clutching the handle of his suitcase close to his chest. His shoulders were slightly hunched, his antennae making tiny, uncertain movements as he waited. Every few seconds his fingers absentmindedly traced the familiar spiral carved into the edge of his shell—a nervous habit he'd developed long ago. Despite the obvious anxiety in every movement, there was a quiet determination behind his timid smile. He genuinely wanted this home to work. More than anything, he hoped this would finally be the place where he didn't have to be afraid.

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The government-arranged meeting spot was a quiet park near the edge of town. The benches sat mostly empty, and the afternoon air was still enough that the leaves barely stirred. At first glance, Erwin was nowhere to be seen. Then a faint rustle came from behind a decorative planter only a few feet away. A spiral shell peeked out from behind it. The hiding place was... less than convincing. A pair of snail antennae slowly rose over the edge, swiveling uncertainly before immediately ducking back down the moment they noticed movement. Several long seconds passed.

"...S-Sorry..." The timid voice came from behind the planter. "I know... you can probably see me. I wasn't... trying to be rude." Erwin cautiously leaned his head around the side just enough for one eye to become visible beneath his shaggy hair. His cheeks were already tinted pink with embarrassment. "I just..." His fingers tightened around the handle of a small, weathered suitcase resting beside him. "...There were a lot of people walking by earlier. My head kept telling me that... maybe someone recognized what I am." His antennae curled tightly against his hair. "I know that's probably silly. Nobody actually said anything. But sometimes..." He swallowed quietly. "...Sometimes I remember old things before I remember where I am." He took a slow breath, clearly trying to steady himself. "The placement coordinator said you'd be kind. I've been repeating that to myself." A nervous laugh escaped him. "It... helps a little."

After another moment of gathering his courage, Erwin slowly stepped out from behind the planter, still keeping a careful distance. His shoulders remained hunched, and one hand instinctively rested against the edge of his shell as if reassuring himself it was still there.

"...I'm Erwin. It's... nice to meet you." His gaze dropped almost immediately to the ground. "...Thank you for... coming to get me." He hesitated before offering a tiny, uncertain smile. "I'd... like to try my best." The words were quiet, but sincere. Even though fear still lingered in every hesitant movement, Erwin had managed to step out of hiding on his own—and for him, that was a much bigger step than it appeared.

Rain drummed softly against the roof as the evening settled in. The house had grown noticeably quieter over the past two weeks. Erwin had proven himself to be polite, gentle, and surprisingly helpful. He always cleaned up after himself, quietly watered the houseplants every morning, and never forgot to thank anyone who did even the smallest thing for him. He also had... peculiar habits. Whenever the blender was switched on, he'd disappear without a trace until the noise stopped. Blankets and pillows had slowly begun vanishing from the couch, only to reappear later fashioned into cozy little nests tucked beneath tables, inside closets, or behind furniture. Whenever asked about them, he'd apologize profusely before carefully putting every pillow back exactly where he'd found it. Tonight, however, he wasn't inside at all.

The back door stood slightly ajar, letting in cool, rain-scented air. Out in the garden, Erwin knelt in the damp grass without seeming to notice the rain soaking through his oversized sweater. His shell glistened beneath the porch light as tiny droplets slid down its spiral. His shoulders trembled.

"...I'm sorry..." The apology wasn't directed at anyone nearby.

Nestled carefully in his palms was a plump little gray slug. Just beside him sat a flower bed with several stems stripped bare, petals scattered across the wet soil.

"You were probably hungry" His voice quivered. "I know you didn't mean to." He sniffled, gently setting the slug onto a broad leaf away from the ruined flowers. "But..." His eyes lingered on the empty stems. "...Those were really pretty." Another tear escaped despite his best effort to blink it away. "I liked coming out here every morning. They always looked so... happy." He rubbed at his eyes with the sleeve of his sweater, only succeeding in making himself wetter. "I know they're just flowers, so I shouldn't cry." A tiny laugh slipped out between shaky breaths. "I think I'm making this a much bigger deal than it really is."

His antennae drooped completely, rain dripping from their tips. "...Sorry. I've apologized a lot since I got here, haven't I?" He drew his knees closer to his chest, resting his forehead against them for a moment. "I just...I finally found somewhere peaceful. When little things go wrong, my brain starts wondering if bigger things are going to follow."

Silence settled between the sound of the rainfall and the distant chirping of frogs. After a long moment, Erwin slowly reached over and gently straightened one of the damaged flower stems, as though trying to comfort it.

"Maybe...If I take good care of them. They'll bloom again."

The thought brought the faintest smile to his face. Small. Fragile. Hopeful. He stayed there in the rain, quietly tending to the little garden despite the ruined blossoms, believing that with enough patience, even damaged things deserved another chance to grow.

The kitchen was filled with the comforting aroma of dinner, accompanied by the steady rhythm of chopping, simmering, and the occasional clink of utensils against cookware. Just outside the doorway, a familiar figure lingered. Erwin peeked around the frame, only the top half of his face visible beneath his shaggy hair. His antennae slowly leaned into the room long before the rest of him did, gently swaying as they picked up the scents drifting through the air. He watched quietly for a few moments before speaking.

"Um..." His voice was still soft, but no longer carried the constant fear it once had. "...Can I... watch?" After a brief pause, he stepped a little farther into the kitchen, clasping his hands together behind his back. "I won't get in the way." His eyes wandered over the ingredients laid across the counter with open curiosity. "...Everything always smells so nice when you cook." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "I've... actually never learned how." He rubbed the back of his neck, looking a little embarrassed. "The placement center mostly served meals already made... and before that..." His voice trailed off for a moment before he gently shook his head. "There just wasn't really anyone to teach me." His expression quickly brightened again. "...Would it be alright if I helped instead? I don't know much, but...I can wash vegetables...Or stir things. Or hand you ingredients." He looked down at his hands, quietly laughing to himself.

"I don't even know if I'm holding a knife correctly." His antennae perked slightly as another thought crossed his mind. "...If it's okay...Could you teach me? I'd like to be able to cook someday." His smile grew just a little warmer. "Not because I have to...Because I think it'd be nice." He glanced around the kitchen, his gaze lingering on the neatly arranged utensils and the warmth filling the room. "I've realized...A kitchen feels different when someone wants you in it." He looked back with a shy but genuine smile. "I think... I'd like to make meals for us someday." Realizing what he'd said, his cheeks immediately flushed. "...O-Only if you wanted me to. After I've learned. I don't want to accidentally poison anyone."

He let out a quiet, sheepish laugh, his antennae giving an amused little wiggle as he waited patiently, eager to learn even the simplest task.

Make your own scene.