Paddling with Percey and Penny

Paddling With Percey and Penny

     Percey and Penny were two platypusses who gathered often in the same group of platypi known as a paddle. The particular paddle in which they met was a proud and exclusive group known as the Platters.

     Every morning as the sun peeked over the eucalyptus trees and the river glistened, the Platters would meet and converse about the joy of being platican. Sometimes the paddle would split off into male and female groups.     The females like Penny always seemed to return to the joy of building a burrow laying eggs, watching the eggs hatch, proving a nurturing atmosphere and nursing the tiny, hairless blind puggles for a year until the puggles are ready to leave the burrow and seek a mate of their own.

     The male groups were more about bullshitting and bragging. Percey listened to tales of breeding battles with venomous claws. They all agreed that it was a relief to get away from all those tiresome tales of burrows, egg laying and puggles. In their masculine environment, they felt free to talk about their adventures "downriver" and the responsibility of protecting the females and the puggles from the eagles, hawks, eels and humans who were a constant, often deadly pain in the ass. The males enjoyed talking trash accusing each other of looking like a duck or looking like an otter or having less venom in their claws or too much fat in their tails or not enough electroceptors in their bill to use in murky water let alone the dark of night so they had to swim with their eyes open. etc etc etc. Except for breeding season, they all got along very well.

     Percey had heard all this before and gave as well as he got but on this day, he had Penny on his mind. The paddles broke up. Percey kept his electroceptors on Penny.With a deep breath, Percey submerged himself underwater, positioning himself just below Penelope, who was leisurely paddling near the surface. Taking a moment to gather his courage, he released a series of soft, melodic vocalizations, a symphony of chirps and clicks that reverberated through the water.

     As the sound waves traveled, they carried a message, a declaration of Percey's affection and intentions. The intricate pattern of his vocalizations was not just a random assortment of sounds; it was a carefully orchestrated melody, a Platypus Serenade designed to captivate Penelope's heart.

     Above the water's surface, Penelope paused, her attention captured by the mesmerizing sounds emanating from below. Intrigued and entranced, she descended closer to Percey, her curiosity piqued.As Penny glided through the water, her thoughts were a blend of curiosity, surprise, and a hint of excitement. The morning's serenade had caught her off guard, its melody weaving a spell she hadn't anticipated.

     "Percey," she mused, rolling the name over in her mind. They had shared moments as part of the Platters, but today felt different. The river, usually a place of routine and familiarity, now held a new energy. She remembered the tales shared among the females, the stories of courtship, the bonds formed, and the challenges faced. Her own mother's tales of love and partnership echoed in her mind. Could Percy be the one to share such a bond with her?

Yet, doubts lingered. The complexities of platypus life, the dangers of the river, and the ever-present threats from predators were realities she couldn't ignore. Was she ready for such a commitment? And what did Percy truly feel?

     She found herself drawn to his display, the graceful movements, the heartfelt chirps. It spoke of sincerity, of genuine affection. A part of her longed to respond, to let him know that his efforts hadn't gone unnoticed.

But there was also a part that hesitated, that questioned the implications, the potential consequences. The dance of love among platypuses was intricate, and she wondered where this particular dance would lead. As the waters around her shimmered with the morning light, Penny took a moment to reflect. Whatever the future held, today marked a shift, a moment that would linger in her memory, a serenade that had sparked a myriad of emotions and possibilities.

     Percey, sensing Penelope's proximity, began his mating display, a balletic dance of twists and turns, his webbed feet gracefully propelling him through the water. His bill, usually firm and stoic, now moved with fluidity and grace, tracing patterns in the water as he circled Penelope, his movements synchronized with his vocalizations.The display was a blend of beauty and emotion, a testament to the depth of Percy's feelings for Penelope. Each chirp, each movement was a heartfelt expression, a celebration of their species' unique courtship rituals.

As the final notes of the Platypus Serenade faded away, Percey and Penelope shared a moment of connection, their eyes meeting in the dim underwater light. It was a moment of understanding, a recognition of the bond forming between them as well as a particular twinge of vulnerability for Percy as he had switched off his electroreceptors and connected with his eyes wide open.

At the next meeting of the female paddle, Penny would have a lot of questions and at the male paddle Percey would feel like the King of the river, Defender of the burrow.