Character/s: Lila (manta mermaid), Polly (parrotfish merman), Jen (aquarist)
Setting: Lila and Polly's tank, miscellaneous rehab tank
Scenario: There's a recovering sea lion pup, and Lila and Polly, the resident emotional support couple, are going to visit the new temporary resident.
Warnings: none :) just animal rescue fluff. Love these two a lot.
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A peaceful tangle of fins and arms lay in a heap on the sandy floor of the tank, humanoid noses blowing little bubbles. Scaly tails tangled in an instinctual embrace to keep the two from drifting apart in their sleep.
The early morning crowd hadn't arrived yet, staff members just starting to make their rounds, the aquarium was silent save for soft footsteps and the gentle running of water.When the footsteps approached the back of the tank, though, Polly peaked his head out from under the characteristic manta 'wing' he'd had his face snuggled into. Bleary eyes blinked up at the staff platform, and a whole lot of that sleepiness disappeared when he recognized the familiar outline of a figure holding buckets.
*food*
He did love his position next to Lila, but the promise of fresh crab and tuna was too enticing for him to handle. He wriggled free, causing his lover to stir and stretch as he was already ushering her to follow him up to the surface for breakfast. Lila's wide and flattened frame caused a struggle when she tried to rise in the water at too harsh of an angle, had to do her regular routine of making a very eager but gradual ascent.
Two heads breached the water, the duo sliding up onto the feeding platform. The usual followed, the aquarist, Jen, giving them some fish by hand before dumping the rest to be eaten later in between the morning and evening feeding.
"There's a new patient, rehabilitation tank two. Juvenile male California Sea Lion, sprained and fractured hind flipper. Bored, he's being kept alone, he'd appreciate some company."
Jen straightened herself, hoisting up the now empty buckets and carrying them in the crook of her elbow.
"We'll go see him! Been a while since we got a sea lion, or anything that's *not* an ocean bird that somehow got way too far inland." Polly was already halfway off the platform as he spoke, heading for the underwater entrance that'd give him access to the tunnel network connecting the tanks. A loud yawn resonated from Lila as she followed suit, only looking about half as asleep as she always did.
The tunnels were cramped, just enough space for two average sized merfolk to swim through side by side. Many branches, most closed by a grate, broke off from the tunnel as the duo made their way to the branch of tunnels they had access to.
The open water of the, albeit painfully boring and sterile, rehabilitation tank hit them with a satisfying wave. Polly looked around, spotting the animal laying in the shallows like a sad puppy.
"Oh, aren't *you* the most precious thing~" a coo from Polly, utterly enamored by the scruffy little seal pup as he approached. The critter backed away with a surprisingly loud bark.
"Don't scare him, poor thing, he's gotta be scared," gentle scolding from his far more
patient other half.
Remembering himself, Polly nodded enthusiastically and reached out the back of his hand to let the sea lion sniff his salt slick knuckles. Lila slid in to his left, staying back and waiting to gauge the situation.
"He likes me!" Polly all but squealed when the pup extended its head to sniff, fishy breath fanning over his hand. By the way he reacted, you'd think he'd been given the world. He reached for a fish head in the water with his free hand, offering it like an olive branch. He was practically vibrating with barely restrained glee.
The sea lion didn't eat it, but it shuffled forward. Lila carefully pet the pup's side, noticing the bound hind flipper and taking care not to brush or mess with it. The sea lion promptly
shoved it's face toward her, demanding attention.
The two got caught up lavishing attention on a glorified sea dog for nearly an hour, only being shooed away by a veterinarian coming in to examine the sea lion after a shift change. Polly had to be half dragged away by Lila, who was clearly pleased even if she didn't admit it.
And as they made their way back to their tank, they were already mentally scheduling another playdate.29Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHeNdnOTuPI
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