bold - slimy - courageous
Liemah





Long ago, on the utmost top of the utmost reef, lay the small community of Alsace. Here, there lived only the most prestigious fish the ocean had to offer. Deep rift valleys warded off any unwanted guests unfortunate enough to be rejected, and there was always someone keeping guard. Yes, Alsace was quite a remarkable dwelling. However, at one time, things were not so blissful. Birthing season had come, and it seemed as though everyday hatchlings were born by the bundle. And my, were they. On one particular day, two eager koi flickered effortlessly through the water, huddling around a coral ledge where a single egg lay.

[It's the last one,]

The female whispered, a willing grin apparent on her face. Opaque lavender scales encased her body, catching rays of sunlight as the shifting ocean swells pulled her in and out of the current.

[You ready?]

The male asked, holding her close. He too was sheathed in lovely scales, though his were a startling shade of silver. The two were obviously in love, and were awaiting the arrival of their final child's birth. The female nodded in response, her eyes lighting up with excitement as a fin poked out of the small shell of the egg. Just then, another fin popped out, this one more persistent on escaping. Moments later, the casing of the egg finally fell away, leaving a small hatchling fluttering its fins with great difficulty.

[He's… green!]

The female exclaimed, the hope that had previously been in her eyes slowly diminishing.

[He'll grow into it,]

Proposed the male, quickly looking away. They both knew their child was different. He didn't have gleaming scales or the ability to glide through the water naturally, as he should. He just wasn't the same.

The newborn gazed up at his parents, wide-eyed and intrigued by their form. He gave a weak whimper before flapping his slime-covered fins in an attempt to bring himself closer to them… But they just gasped and moved back.

[He'll be fine. Now let's get back to the group before someone notices him.]

The male added. And that was the last thing anyone said before he was scooped up and carried away.

Months passed, and nothing changed. His parents decided to name him Liemah; Liem for short. His parents didn't mention his slimy disposition, but everyone else seemed to.

[Liem is slimy, He can't swim.
I'm sure glad I'm not like him.]

His siblings would taunt him with rhymes such as these whenever they got the chance. But he hated one particular guppy from school more than anyone... Sheila. She would pick on him all the time and make the other kids laugh at him. It didn't matter that /she/ was small, because /everyone/ in her family looked that way. Liem was all alone. It was after one tidal lesson that Liem lined himself up along the current to practice when she happened to come past.

[Come on, slime ball, show me what you got!]

Liem couldn't bare it any longer. He darted at the miniscule fish, side sweeping her into the current. However, his tacky fin latched onto her, carrying him along for the ride. The two moved rapidly down the tidal stream, whipping and lashing about. When, at last, Liem found the strength to escape the grasp of the swelling ocean, he swam Sheila to a seaweed nest, laying her down. She was badly injured and losing life quickly.

[I will find help.]

Liem promised, dashing off in hopes of making things right again. But when he made it back: Frantic, winded, and without Sheila; the community began to wonder, questioning his place in Alsace.

Sheila never made it back within the gates of Alsace, and since that day not even Liem's parents could look him in the eyes. He received only the coldest of glares from the rest of the community. Exiled with no chance of return.



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