Deep Found Peace scowled up at his brother as the other young buck taunted him, but their father was there, and he bit his tongue on any retort. Waiting to see what was done about this gross injustice.
And while his father scolded his brother, Deep glanced back over at his mother, ears folding slightly, but she just smiled serenely at him. He wasn't in trouble, despite the ruckus.
"I didn't do anything wrong," he insisted quietly as his father nudged a couple of the lionfish away from each other. More to his brother than to his father. "You don't have to be so mean. I'm not mean to you," he added sullenly, quietly hurt and more than a little embarrassed by what Drop had shouted about him.
Worlds was grateful Bay had stepped in so she hadn't had to. It surprised her still, how spirited the children could be, and how easily riled, how quick to bite back with unkind words. She hoped it was temporary, and that given enough time they would all get along well again, as they had when they were tiny.
She blinked as Fisheye came over to her, then smiled at her words. "Oh, yes. Very much so. I'm not sure how some of the others in the tribe can have multiple clutches running around at once. It sounds quite exhausting, but admirable."
appeal wrote:
lilacfishie wrote: