To begin, the Cel would like to forestall any speculation or rumor that this project is meant only to fend off boredom during sea days. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no end to the fascinating observations one can make of the behaviour, rituals, and characteristics of shipboard creatures. So, with that out of the way, let us introduce another wonder of Cel and Cia’s amazing above-sea (this is not a Costa ship) world.
Shufflers: Though resembling Blockers, Shufflers are a distinct group characterized by being incapable of managing strides longer than about two inches. Their habitat is broad-ranging. They can be found nearly anywhere on the ship (usually for hours at a time). We initially thought that there might be two subspecies of Shufflers, those that move their feet quite quickly, and those displaying a more languid gait. But after much study and discussion, because neither variety manages to actually cover distance any more effectively than the other, we have decided to lump them together, so to speak. All Shufflers have a slightly stooped posture. Despite this, they never look at their feet, however much their posture might impel them to do so. Their gaze is unwaveringly parallel to the horizontal. A final startling, and perhaps defining, characteristic of Shufflers is their tendency to non-conformity. Like a rebellious fish in a school or a wayward starling in a swarm, when Shufflers are seen to be actually making way (to use a nautical phrase), it is invariably directly into and against the more rapid flow of traffic.
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