2 First feeding and First meeting

I nibble away at the kelp leaves, filling up my tummy. I glimpse colorful fish weaving and swimming through the kelp forest. They never paid any attention to me and kept swimming away.

With each bite and the warm water cradling me, I felt an overwhelming sleepiness consume me. My eyes flutter shut and I sink to the stone nest cocooned around by the swaying kelp forest. I fall into a dreamless sleep, recovering from the exhaustion of hatching.

A while later, I awake to a heartbeat, different from mine under me ear and a familiar deep humming melody all around me. I feel strong arms the length of my body holding me close. I open my eyes, give a large yawn and a stretch. I immediately feel a change in the hum, no longer was it a soothing song, it was deeper, it still carried melody, but I could understand what was being conveyed. "Your name is Marina, and I am so sorry I had to leave you here alone. I will take care of you little one." I look up and hum back the same melody, causing a soft chuckle and a smile to spread across his face. He hums back, "No", points at me, "You are Marina", points at him, "I am your father". I suddenly understand that I have yet to learn how to convey thoughts this way. So I touch his face and I touch my forehead, assuming that will mean that I understand him. He let's loose another chuckle and starts a hum, the melody saying "I understand". I repeat the melody to him, and his eyes beam with pride. He hums back, "I have much to teach you little one." I copy and hum back that same melody and he bursts into laughter, a beautiful sound that soothes my aching soul at being left all alone. I know now that I will be safe with him.