"Well, time sure flies when you're talkin' the evening away. 'Night, everyone," Anna chuckled before she headed in the direction Ducky had pointed her in. It took a few minutes and several reminders for Ducky to stay awake and give directions before Anna finally reached Ducky's home. Not wanting to sneak up on and possibly surprise Mama Swimmer, Anna spoke up while she still walked through some trees.
"Hello? Is anybody home?" Anna called, loud enough to ensure Mama Swimmer knew somebody was coming. Having learned before that Ducky's species had excellent hearing, Anna did not have to speak too loudly.
"Who is it?" Mama Swimmer's voice asked compassionately.
"I'm a friend, so no worries, and I have your daughter with me," Anna replied before she slowly stepped into the nesting area.
"I am here, yes I am," Ducky added with a giggle. Ducky's mother kept looking at Anna in a curious manner, as did Ducky's siblings who shyly hid behind their mother.
"Well, I believe we haven't met. Are you a newcomer?" Mama Swimmer asked in a friendly manner.
"Pretty much, and Ducky has been kind enough to show me around," Anna replied with a smile.
"Guys, this is Anna. She is a human, but she can also turn into a swimmer like us, yep yep yep," Ducky chirped. Ducky's siblings remained quiet for a couple of moments before hey began to tease their sister for coming up with such wild stories. Ducky was not pleased by this.
"But it is true, yep yep yep! I have seen her do it, and she can show you too, yes she can!" Ducky piped up in a defensive manner. Meanwhile, Anna could feel herself blushing for being made the center of attention. However, she knew how much it hurt to be teased and was not about to allow Ducky to go through it. Within moments, Anna morphed back into her swimmer form. This caused Ducky's siblings to shut up and scream in fear as they ran behind their mother again. Mama Swimmer, though surprised, was actually quite amazed by what she saw happen before her. Ducky now looked rather tiny in comparison to Anna.
"See? I was telling the truth, yep yep yep," Ducky said.
"Indeed you were," Mama Swimmer agreed, feeling embarrassed that she had thought Anna was an imaginary friend Ducky had come up with. Anna could sense her uneasy feelings.
"Well, I'm glad I finally got to meet y'all. I was just passin' through helpin' Ducky get home, but now I really should be on my way. Little ones need their sleep, after all," Anna said before she gently set Ducky down and started to head out. "'Night, and it was nice to meet y'all."
"Wait, Anna," Mama Swimmer gently spoke up as she stepped over to her. "Are you here by yourself, or is your family here, too?"
"Myself, though some of my friends have made it here, too," Anna replied. Mama Swimmer felt her maternal instinct begin to settle in.
"Well, why don't you stay for the night? It's awfully dangerous out there for kids to be out on their own," Mama Swimmer said.
"With all due respect, m'am, I'm actually an adult. Just small in size," Anna said gently.
"Oh, my! I'm so sorry, Anna. I've never seen your kind before, so I could not tell if you were a kid or not. Regardless, you're more than welcome to stay with us, if you're not mad at me for undermining you," Mama Swimmer said.
"Don't worry 'bout it, m'am. I'm not offended," Anna replied with a smile.
"Thanks Anna. As for staying here, I think you're stuck," Mama Swimmer chuckled as she gestured toward the ground in front of Anna. Anna glanced down, and saw none other than Ducky curl up on her left foot.
"I guess. Okay, I'll stay. I really appreciate your hospitality," Anna giggled as she picked Ducky up, who was sleeping by that point. As soon as she gently set Ducky down with her siblings and told the family good night, Anna found a spot nearby where she curled up and began to fall asleep. It was when she was almost alseep that Anna felt a small form curl up against her right side. She opened her right eye and could not help but smile when she glanced back and saw it was Ducky who had done that. Anna then movd her tail in so Ducky would be kept warm before she fell asleep for good.