Being the protector and caregiver of his pod was not difficult, the reef that Chris had claimed was plentiful with food and hiding places for his pups. The issue began when two pups had shown up, one tangled in human netting and the other one dragging the tangled one to a safer spot to untangle the net.
"You're doing fine Jerry, I know it's scary but I need you to stay calm okay?" The green and black scaled mer explains softly as he attempts to calm down his younger brother, as he holds the net and Jerry close to his body while he swims into the reef. "I am calm Jamey!" The younger pup sobbed as he tried not to move to much in fear of the net cutting or digging into his scales and fins. Jamey looked around, he had never been this far away from his pods' territory and he knows he's in another territory. There are scents that make his fins and sail stand up in fear, but he ignores it in favour of getting Jerry to a safe place away from humans and predators so he can free him from the net.
Chris could sense when the mers had intruded on his territory, his sail and fins standing up with a rattle as he ushered his pups into the den. "What's happening dad?" Alex asked as he ushered his younger brothers to the nursery, letting out a hiss when his twin attempted to stop. "Intruders. I want you 3 to stay here, listen to Alex okay?" Chris instructed as he pressed a comforting kiss to their foreheads before swimming out of their den, unable to keep the warning rattle that echoed through the waters.
Jamey tensed as he heard the rattle, before going back to removing the net from his nest mate. He let out a comforting croon as the little black and green mer squirmed out of the rest of the net. "We did it!" Jerry cheered only to be cut off with a startling hiss as a much bigger mer blocked the entrance of the cave before Jamey was hissing and spitting up a fuss, sails and fins flaring as he hid his brother behind him. The mer was massive, smaller then his protector but bigger then his caregiver and it terrified him.
The hiss came to a stuttering stop as he stared at the two pups that were hiding in the cave, his eyes scanning over the scene in front of him. There was a human net drifting lightly on the sandy bottom of the little cave, a comforting trill leaving Chris as he understood what had happened. The two little pups had merely found somewhere safe to hide while get the netting off, poor darlings. ".. Are you pups alright?" Chris offered softly as he lowered his fins and sails, moving himself to a much more relaxed position. "We're fine! Leave and we will be on our way!" The little mer with green hair spat out angrily, refusing to let his guard down. His protector was unforgiving, who's to say this one isn't either? "Of course. Are you pups hungry?" The strange mer asked as he looked at the tiny pups, they were so tiny. How could he possibly let them just leave? "Do you have pod?" Chris asks concerned as he leans against the rocks, Jerry couldn't help but peek around Jamey at the mention of food. He hasn't eaten since Angelo gave them some shark this morning, he was very hungry! "Yes we do! And I am very hungry mister!" Jerry squeaked out, holding onto his brother's tail as he let out a few nervous bubbles from his mouth. Jamey let out a hiss as his brother spoke to the strange mer, a protective hand pressing against the younger's neck in warning. "Well I shall feed you and then you can be on your way! Which pod are you from? I'm Chris. This is Wilde territory." Chris explains as he pushes away from the cave, swimming away slightly with a hand beckoning the young ones out. Jerry was eager to follow, only stopping due to the warning click Jamey let out as he took the lead and guided Jerry out. "The Haylel pod." Jamey says proudly, staring at the mer waiting for his reaction. His pod was well known and feared, he hadn't even heard of the Wilde pod not that his caregiver allowed them to learn just yet, claiming them to be too young to leave the territory or meet other pods. "Well I'd assume your pod should be here soon to come retrieve their pups then?" Chris spoke calmly, he knew the Haylel pod well seeing as they have their territory close to his. "Yeah! Well they should be! Angelo must be worried! It's been hours." Jerry explained from his position hiding under Jamey's slightly bigger frame, holding onto his arm lightly as they swam together.
A greeting trill left the mer as he swam to his den, after letting the two pups know he has to check on his pod. "Dad! Your back!" A voice cheered followed by chirps and trills as Chris was greeted by his pups, smothering them in his scent as he checked them other protectively. "What happened? Who was it? Did they leave?" Max asked excitedly as he swam circles around the bigger mer, flicking his tail in his brothers faces when he went past. "They are pups from the Haylel pod, they will be fed and then soon their caregiver or protector will come collect them. You three will have to stay here, okay?" Chris says softly as he catches his little guppy, giving him a stern look as he settles. "Behave." He reminds the redhead before looking at the others only for him to panic when he only sees his other red pup. "Faz!" The mer called out as he looked over at the entrance, a chirp leaving him as he made his way other to the exit pup-comeback-want-listen-listen he called as he poked his head out of the cave only to see his youngest pup hiding by the rocks looking at the other two pups in interest. "They have pretty tails." Faz whispered to his father as he stared at the pups in awe.
Man I'm just gonna post this :)
