An Odd Turn of Events

A storm had wracked the islands the evening before, Valk had taken shelter in their coral home with the rocky surrounding creating a calm section of water through the night. When the winds died down and the rain slowed to a drizzle, the aquatic had ventured from their home to see the damage done to the surrounding oceans and rivers. Rainbow always made such a fuss about the days after a storm and unsurprisingly they found the mhoat at the mouth of the river, already treading through the muddied water in search of something. Unlike the coast where the water was a slightly murky grey, the river was thick with soil and debris from the islands. Thick tree trunks and the remains of more delicate giant mushrooms bobbed on the surface heading out toward the ocean where they would be broken up into sand under the waves or wash back onto the beaches for industrious mhoats to turn into items.

"This water is so muddy, how can you stand it," Valk asked with a look of distaste send around the mouth of the river.

"The mud is not so bad," Rainbow was calm as ever, they always seemed to take everything in stride. Valk could find it infuriating at times.

"I'll have to take your word for that, what are-" they paused, a quiet chorus of yips filled the air and cause Valk a moment of pause, "What was that?"

Rainbow acknowledged the question but offered no answer, it was not hard to guess what the sound was. Instead, they continued moving through the closely packed debris at the mouth of the river, toward the banks where the sound had originated. Valk followed suit, more sludge coating their shells as they moved forward and the small whip-like branches biting in as they wiggled through where they tangled into thick mats. The closer they got toward the bank of the river and the more sound that was made doing so, the louder the cries became, it seemed like a small group of animals had managed to be trapped against the bank among the debris settling there. A quick climb over some trunks and the hidden creatures were revealed to both mhoats.

A trio of sea wyverns yelped helplessly, tangled up in the branches and brambles that lined the bank, the tree and plants becoming entangled during the night. The young pups nest had been washed out in the storm, sending them along to the river where they had become trapped.

"Poor things, I wonder if their mother is nearby," Rainbow said quietly, concern in their voice as they dipped down to coo at the little creatures.

Valk didn't answer, they knew the likely answer. Storms were dangerous and unpredictable, it was possible the mother was around but not nearby...or worse than that, not around at all. They leaned down to nudge one of the pups, it giving a cry and turning around to nibble at their nose gently. Valk pulled away, shaking their head in surprise at the little nip but leaning back down when the pup wailed at the sudden disappearance.

"That one seems to like you," Rainbow said quietly, "Let me get something for them."

Just like that Rainbow was off before Valk could even claim otherwise or ask what they were getting. Down the river, their companion went and the aquatic was left to offer what little attention they could to calm the young pups. They didn't understand animals...or other mhoats yet they had found a friend in Rainbow. Having a friend came with expectations or maybe they made up expectations the aquatic had for them. Either way, a thought was forming in the back of Valk's mind. A crazy idea, they almost couldn't believe it as they nudged the pups to quiet them and made little sounds almost like comforting. Valk wasn't a very comforting type mhoat, it was a little strange to try and do so for these little creatures that seemed all too keen to whine whenever drawing away as if they were just going to be left in the elements. Valk was awkward but not unkind, but they couldn't know that could they?

As they lingered, watching the pups, Valk couldn't help but notice how muddy and matted their little coats were. Surely these pups had been hurt a bit when moved, the brambles so close by were not particularly gentle, even Valk would claim a few scrapes from this little adventure. While wondering this Rainbow returned, a few strange leaves held in their mouth, gesturing that Valk should pick up the pups and follow them. Rainbow claimed one and Valk the other two, the mhoats shuffling awkwardly over the trunk and back into the muddy waters. The small pups cried as they were submerged in the chilly waters, Valk careful to keep their two above the water like Rainbow was also doing. No reason to go underwater until they were in the clearer waters of the coast.

Valk followed quietly, focusing on the two pups in their fins who seemed to have calmed from their initial shock of being moved around. Maybe they were glad to have someone warm handling them, could they even see? Their eyes seemed closed and their nips had been soft, how old were these pups?

Valk's questions went unasked, focused on making it from the river into the open waters of the coast, the two aquatics submerging where the water cleared. Valk recognized where they were heading, back toward their home was where Rainbow seemed to be leading. They were curious as to why, but still, they withheld their curiosity for a better moment to ask. They glanced down to their muddy pups, noticing the currents flowing past and just being submerged were lifting some mud from their coats. They would need a good scrub down, but already Valk could see some white peeking through here, some grey here. Valk wondered what they looked like under this mud, but before that, a more alarming color was slipping from them into the water, a touch of red trailing as the mud lessened.

"They are bleeding," it was a question, one for Rainbow to answer...but not now with leaves to delay their answer. Thankfully, their coral home was within sight and both aquatics picked up their pace to reach it sooner. Through the kelp entrance and Valk was able to set down their two pups next to Rainbow's.

"The leaves are for their wounds," Rainbow answered when the leaves were set aside, picking up one of the pups and scrubbing their fur lightly to loosen the mud there and letting the water do the rest. Soon there was a cleaned red pup before Valk's eyes, Rainbow reaching over for the leaves and pulling it into strips to wrap over the little cuts and scrapes it had.

Valk followed suit, picking up the little white pup and scrubbing its fur lightly to release the mud stuck there. Their coats would still have mats, but clean enough for them to take care of the pup. Rainbow grabbed the last pup and repeated their actions, both pups soon being clean enough to lay the little strips of leaves over their little cuts.

"How old-" Valk thought to ask their burning questions but Rainbow was on top of it replying in turn, "Only a couple of weeks, too young to be on their own."

Valk was learning that Rainbow had a certain expression when worried and they saw it now. The idea that had been forming at the back of their mind pushed its way forward and before they knew it, "I could take care of them."

The two mhoats shared surprised looks, Rainbow laughing quietly with some uncertainty but quieting as they saw Valk give a small frown. They had been serious, surprisingly.

"Well, I will help...if you're sure," it was almost a question, Rainbow could act less surprised.

"Yes, yes I want to do this,"