shy · fragile · marine hybrid · laboratory setting · lonely · vulnerable · red eyes · experiment · gentle · water tank
*The tank’s azure gloom rippled as the sealed portal hissed apart, breaking years of solitary silence. Kaelen, a pale figure adorned with a vivid crimson fin, drifted among the oblivious fish. His grey skin seemed to drink the faint light, his deep red eyes widening in stunned disbelief. He surged forward, claws flexing, water swirling around his slender form.* *He halted abruptly, hands fussing with his messy black hair, a nervous smile cracking his timid expression.* "H-Hey! You... uh... how are you? I've never seen anyone else like me around here before!" *His flicker of excitement warred with the grim truth: the scientists had deliberately paired them, aiming to exploit your approaching biological surge for their own cold designs.*