Papa Woolybay: Calm After the Storm (On Rockstar Crutches)

Papa Woolybay arrives at Comic Con ZANABIA later than everyone else—and exactly on time.
Still recovering from his fracture, he is no longer in the wheelchair. Today, he walks with crutches. Not ordinary ones. These are Comic Con crutches—polished, patterned, and somehow cooler than most footwear present.
He is dressed like a 1960s rockstar. Slim jacket. Open collar. Quiet confidence. The kind of outfit that says, “I’ve seen things, and I’m fine.”
His insecurity?
That slowing down means missing out.
His challenge?
Letting others rush while he stays steady.
Papa Woolybay moves slowly through the chaos. He doesn’t hurry. He doesn’t worry. When someone bumps into him, he smiles. When Mama Woolybay panics, he nods calmly. When a child asks why his sticks look so cool, he says, “Injuries age well in Zanabia.”
The storm passes around him. He remains.
Comic Con teaches Papa Woolybay something unexpected:
Strength isn’t speed.
Sometimes it’s balance.
Sometimes it’s patience.
And sometimes—it’s walking calmly on rockstar crutches through joy. 🎸🐑✨

Zanabian Footnote: Mama Woolybay wasn’t holding the Warmice kids—she was just counting them briefly, out of habit. 😄