#cod mer!au

You were kept in a rehab tank for a few weeks so you could heal and get undivided attention from the workers and scientists. You were friendly and cooperative with the workers, so they decided you were ready to join the largest tank with the permanent resident pod.

It took you a while to acclimate to the new tank, it was significantly bigger than the rehab one. Not to mention the new mers. They were all pretty big, there was Ghost a Tiger shark, Soap an oceanic white tip shark, Gaz a black tip reef shark then Price a great white.

For the first few days you stayed at the bottom of the tank, lurking in the rock structures, keeping your distance when Kyle and Johnny would race in between the corals and caves. But soon enough you start coming out to explore and interact with the pod.

Price was the 'leader' or the one in charge. Ghost was right behind him while Gaz and Soap often fought and tried to dominate each other to establish their place in the hierarchy, but it was pretty blurred. It was pretty common to see them in mating lock or mounting each other. You knew these behaviors but you never experienced them first hand until now...

It was feeding time and you decided to swim up to the workers to get some of the crab they had. You didn't know about the feeding order, you were used to scavenging and hunting on your own. You didn't know about the 'rules' in the pod. So you took some of the crabs before Ghost got some. You were none the wiser. Once you get your fill you swam back down towards your little cave, a large shadow looming over you. Behind you was a rather irritated Ghost. He still got his food, but it was about principle. You needed to learn your place if you'd stay and join the pod. This wasn't Price's business because he ate and the other two were busy doing tricks to get thirds.

You turn to look over your shoulder, seeing the biggest shark in the tank approaching. He seemed angry, but he always looked irritated. You slow down so he can catch up, curious on what he wants. But you only pick up the pace when he starts speeding towards you. Your gills flare when he rams you into the sand, wiggling and thrashing to try and get away from his grip. He flips you onto your back, making your brain feel fuzzy for a moment. It was a big enough opening for him to shove his finger into your slit, grinding against you to show dominance. He shoves one of his claspers into you, trapping you in a mating lock. You thrash and twitch here and there, still trying to fight the inevitable. You know now to wait your turn.

He was bought from a breeding farm and brought to Roba, he was dropped into a shallow pool, just big enough to swim circles in. His growth was stunted from the small pool and malnourishment. His pretty gold and black colors never came in, his fins were thin from stress. The light in the tank was always on, he was hungry and tired. But finally Roba's personal house was raided and Simon was surrendered to the task force 141 sanctuary for Mers and aquatic hybrids. Some stayed for rehab while others would be permanent members.

Laswell, the director of the sanctuary accepted Simon and had Price, the head vet and biologist contact you, a Betta specialist. For the first few weeks they kept Simon in a monitored tank so they could get his weight up and treat the fin rot. You and Price kept a close eye on him as a large, permanent indoor tank got set up. It had to be cycled and prepped before he could finally be set free.

Finally the moment came to put him into his permanent tank where you could work with him. You spend plenty of time with him so you can write research papers and get hands on experience with a recovering Betta. It's rewarding to watch his fins flare up and get their true color. He becomes more active and playful, he even flares and shows off when others come to visit. But you're definitely his favorite.