Welcome to Gaia! ::

He glanced to Rowan as he slipped his arm into his own. This was actually sort of odd. He had always believed his first mate was going to be some female. Preferably one with a dull red color that would match his own dark ones. He was not picky however. Just a little surprised. When Rowan knelt down to feel the sand, he felt his pride swelling again.

"Yes. I made all of this. I've spent the last fifteen years working very hard to make this a place where I could raise a happy and safe family. Do you...like it?" He had to ask. It was important for his mate to like the home he had worked hard to provide. Relon knelt down himself, and very carefully placed the shell in the still warmed sands. Smiling with pride to himself, he nudged a small piece of flowering kelp near to the shell. "I bet it will be a girl. My first child will be a daughter." He said with such determined pride.

Relon felt a very warm pleased feeling in his chest. This is what he had been wanting for so long. So sure, he hadn't committed the act to create the shell, but being a father was more then that. It was raising and protecting the little one within. That was the really important part of fatherhood. Relon shifted his tail and glanced over at Rowan. "That is a very lovely name. I can't wait until she is born. I want to make her a cute little wreath of flowers." He rather proudly informed Rowan. Looking over at his first mate he reached a hand out to touch his cheek. "Having a mother like you, I am sure she will be wonderful to raise."

For as long as he could remember, Relon had always been alone. hatching by himself had filled him with fear and sadness. He would not let this little shell feel even a moment of what he had. Smiling faintly, he pushed away from the sand and held his hands out towards Rowan. "Your hungry. Come with me. Let me show you what I have planted here." He coaxed Rowan eagerly. He wanted to show it all off, he wanted his first mates approval. More importantly though, he wanted to show Rowan what a devoted mate and good provider he could be. Relonyrd pointed off towards one side of the grotto where a thick clump of berry bearing plants swayed. "Those are safe to eat. I planted them in here in case any little ones got hungry and wanted to help themselves to a snack."

He could see the look in Rowan's eyes. How he kept looking back at the shell in the sand. "She will be safe." He assured the other. Relon waved his hand around slowly. "My grotto base is solid. There are no holes here. There are only holes higher up and those are to let the light in. I've chased away every single possible predator in the area. There will be no threat to my family." He very proudly attempted to calm the unease of his new mate.

Relon swum over to the plants and nipped a large broad leaf from the plant. Turning it about, he made a cone and began to pluck the berries quickly. "Here. We'll pick some berries, and my cave is within eyesight of the nursery. We can eat there and keep an eye on our baby."

Relon knew that children liked sweet things, so he had taken great pains to find and replant a berry bearing plant that was sweet. He looked at Rowan rather expectantly as he sampled the berry. "I understand. It is so small and easily lost. I would not want to risk it vanishing. I assure you though, our baby is very safe here." With a flick of his tail, Relon drifted to the low shelf that led to the cave he claimed for his own. His side fins snapped and fluttered, and Relon turned himself about so he could lay and recline against the inner wall. His hand lifted and he waved for Rowan to come over. "Come, lay beside me Rowan!"

Relon watched as Rowan would shift and twist around. Clearly he wanted to keep an eye on the shell. Relon pushed himself up and reached a hand around to gently pull Rowan's head towards his lap. "Here...rest your head here. You can see the nursery if you lay like this." He gently nudged Rowan. He knew the other was probably feeling anxious over the shell. He knew that he was feeling more excitement at the moment. He had a family now! Oh! How happy he felt! His first mate...well...he was still a bit surprised that Rowan turned out to be a male but...it was fine. He was a girl boy and Rowan was so sweet...so sad... Relon picked one of the berries and lowered it down to Rowan's lips.

Relon watched as Rowan ate the berry he offered with a small smile. He was so very cute. Carefully he picked another up and offered it over Rowans lips. he hesitated though and tilted his head. Rowan had said his name...was he meaning to protest this treatment? Or to ask him a question? "What?" He asked softly.

How...cute... With amusement he offered Rowan another berry and chuckled. "Isn't it obvious? I have been here...making sure our paradise was ready for our baby.." With a soft chuckle he flipped his fin up and glanced off towards the nursery. "I've wanted a family my whole life. I am happy to finally have it. I'll be a good mate. You'll see Rowan. I will also be a good father. I will take care of all of us. Someday my grotto will be filled with family, it will be a loud happy place."