Fig
| Age Unknown |
| Gender Unknown |
| Origin Unknown |
| Occupation Fig Connoisseur |
♫ Figs are round, figs are brown, figs are sweet, and so is me! ♫
Fig does not know how Fig came to be, only that Fig woke up one day in a strange place surrounded by salty water and tall, bendy trees. In these tall, bendy trees, Fig learned eventually, were things called coconuts, which were brown and furry like Fig. They were, however, only similar on the outside, because on the inside, coconuts were filled with sweet, white meat and delicious water, whereas Fig was made up of mostly bitter tasting purple stuff.
These were all things that Papa had to teach Fig. Which was hard, because in the beginning, Fig did not know words. They were just a baby, even though their body was already as big as it would ever get. Papa said it was because their mind had taken a long time to wake up, much longer than their body. Papa also said that the day they woke up was the happiest day of his life. So, naturally, Fig decided it was also the happiest day of their life, too.
They had a few good years together, Papa and Fig. The best days were birthdays, because those meant that Fig could eat as many figs as they wanted and Papa would not tell them to stop, even if they got sick halfway through. He would just laugh and pat them gently on the back after handing them a cup of coconut water. Goodness grapes, did Fig love coconut water. But not as much as they loved figs. Even though Papa showed them all kinds of flowers, bugs, and fruits that tasted plenty good, figs were always Fig’s number one favorite. And Fig, Papa would always say, was his number one favorite.
Sometimes, Fig questioned this logic. Because, after all, there was only Papa and Fig, so it was easy to say, “Fig, you are my favorite.” Because there were no other Figs, only Papa. In fact, the two of them spent a lot of time looking for other Figs on the island, but only ever found the kind you could eat, and not the kind that could talk.
The unhappiest day of Fig’s life was when Papa got sick. Fig tried everything they knew, but it was no use, because if Papa did not know how to fix his sickness, then how could Fig? Everything Fig knew was because of Papa. All they could do was keep bringing Papa good things to eat and plenty of coconut water to drink. They even boiled water to dip pieces of cloth inside. They made sure to swish the cloths around with a stick to make them safe, then waved them around to cool off before handing them to Papa. That was how he cleaned himself sometimes, because he was too weak to walk in those last few months, and Fig too small to help him. Fig tried to tell him that they did not mind the smell, which made him laugh. It was not just for the smell, he said, but also to try and be healthier. Fig did not really understand this, since Fig only splashed in the water for fun, not to be healthy, but they knew Papa’s body was very different, so they did not argue.
The day Papa did not wake up was the second unhappiest day of Fig’s life. This was because Papa had been suffering for a long time, and even though Fig was very sad about having no more time with Papa, they decided it was better that he did not wake up just to suffer again.
As promised, Fig allowed themselves one night of crying by Papa’s side. And then they used all their strength to drag Papa’s bed, which had been reduced to a blanket on the ground, out of their hut and into the hole they had dug together. Fig, being a good and obedient child, had done as Papa had instructed, and kept the hole covered with strong palm leaves, so that when it came time to put Papa in the hole, it was mostly untouched and still very deep.
Fig cried as they pushed dirt on top of Papa’s lifeless body. It came out as whistling, hissing, and sometimes even barking. But of course, Fig remembered not to be too loud, so as not to attract any hungry neighbors looking for an easy meal. So they cried, softly, as they said their last goodbyes to the only other person they had ever loved.
When it was all done, Fig wiped their eyes and ate some figs. At least they still had themself to love. And figs.
That is, until they found the Not Papas.
Appearance
| Height 3 ft |
| Build Arboreal |
| Hair Golden brown |
| Eyes Brown |
Fig shares many traits with the local arboreal mammals. They have large brown eyes adapted for low light conditions, soft, sensitive ears, and a prehensile tail. Their tongue is long and slender, perfectly designed for extracting nectar and honey from flowers. But, unlike their non-Shroud tampered cousins, Fig is cathemeral and their dense, wooly fur is a warm golden brown, rather than the spotted greys and clay reds more commonly found amongst the other tree lovers of the island.
Perhaps the most obvious difference between Fig and their neighbors is that they prefer to stand on their hind legs. At first, Papa thought this was because Fig was trying to mimic him. But upon further studying, he realized that Fig’s anatomy was in fact slightly altered after their awakening. Their body was still sturdy and agile, perfect for navigating tree tops. But their shoulders had widened just a little, and so had their hips, so that it became more natural for them to stand upright, rather than all fours like their cousins. Most curiously, despite having ten whole digits that were already well suited for gripping tree branches, Fig’s hands and feet had also become more human-like.
Because of these anatomical oddities, Papa decided at some point to make clothes for Fig. Mostly simple shirts and the occasional pair of shorts, fitted with extra room to allow for climbing. Fig loves their clothes. Not only do they make them look a little more like Papa, but they also have delightful patterns and interesting textures. They like to spend considerable amounts of time choosing their clothes for the day and take great pains not to tear or sully them while scavenging for food.
On scavenging days–which is most days–Fig also sports a crude backpack, which they use to store their precious findings.
Perhaps the most obvious difference between Fig and their neighbors is that they prefer to stand on their hind legs. At first, Papa thought this was because Fig was trying to mimic him. But upon further studying, he realized that Fig’s anatomy was in fact slightly altered after their awakening. Their body was still sturdy and agile, perfect for navigating tree tops. But their shoulders had widened just a little, and so had their hips, so that it became more natural for them to stand upright, rather than all fours like their cousins. Most curiously, despite having ten whole digits that were already well suited for gripping tree branches, Fig’s hands and feet had also become more human-like.
Because of these anatomical oddities, Papa decided at some point to make clothes for Fig. Mostly simple shirts and the occasional pair of shorts, fitted with extra room to allow for climbing. Fig loves their clothes. Not only do they make them look a little more like Papa, but they also have delightful patterns and interesting textures. They like to spend considerable amounts of time choosing their clothes for the day and take great pains not to tear or sully them while scavenging for food.
On scavenging days–which is most days–Fig also sports a crude backpack, which they use to store their precious findings.
Personality
Fig is curious, playful, and good natured. They might not be the sharpest knife in Papa’s knife box, but they always give their best effort. Papa said it was their strongest trait, which they take great pride in, and which they also try to remember when the days get extra hard or lonesome.
They also have a deep fascination for trinkets. The shinier or more unusual, the better. Colors delight them, as do new flavors, sights, smells, and sounds.
They also have a deep fascination for trinkets. The shinier or more unusual, the better. Colors delight them, as do new flavors, sights, smells, and sounds.
Skills
Fig has many useful skills, including but not limited to foraging for food, building fires, picking strong, healthy leaves, climbing trees, making Fig sized clothes, and of course, finding the tastiest figs.
Attachments
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