Kaimir

Art by Nabi Desu

> *"I only tease people I like."*
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## Storyline

After recovering, Oceas takes the Listener out and they bump into an intimidating shark boy. He calls them "bait" and a "weird looking fish", chastising them for being careless enough to bump into a Coral Guard but warms up when the turtle boy greets him by name. He realizes they're the human he saved from the shipwreck and opens up, sharing the story of how he and "Shelly" met. Oceas whines over the use of the embarrassing nickname but Kaimir ignores him and starts to explain how Oceas got that nickname.

The turtle boy leaves the Listener with the shark boy to run an errand, promising to return soon so they can go to the Overlook as promised. Kaimir assures his friend that he'll take care of them and starts a conversation to get to know them better. He finds out their name, compliments them on their gills, and tells them about the Northern Abyss. They learn that an earthquake 3 years ago opened a crack in the ocean floor leagues away from the city, setting free some strange ocean creatures. The city sent diplomats, assuming they required aid, but none returned. The elders decided to form the Coral Guard out of the local peacekeeping units, which meant Kaimir a promotion.

He asks how they're adapting to their new world and if they're liking meeting Oceas. He's shocked to learn that this is their first visit to the city and offers to bring them around the shipwrecks, a place to find human trinkets that work well as gifts. Kaimir becomes a little more somber, explaining that Oceas, for all his good cheer, is actually very lonely and decides that they should definitely bring him a present afterwards. He makes the Listener promise to be gentle with his friend and they seem to agree.

The conversation lightens when the Listener asks why he's still calling them "bait" and he says that he only gives nicknames to people he likes. He has the same habit with teasing and notes that he's gotten around to teasing the Listener, so he must really like them. Oceas comes back from his errand, complaining about the talkative jellyfish store owner Arneas (?), and asks if the shark captain teased them too much. Kaimir says he's teased them no more than usual and that the Listener has actually invited him to go to the Overlook again, something he seems to have made up on the spot. He darts away, calling the last one to get there a sleepy fish, and Oceas drags the Listener with him to follow.

## Personality

Kaimir is a handsome shark with very fine teeth, but more than that he's a confident, compassionate member of the Coral Guard. He might seem intimidating at first ,but among friends he's very friendly and is always up for a good-natured teasing. He's outgoing and not afraid to speak his mind, though he has only good things to say about anything - except the elders. He's particularly protective of the turtle boy Oceas, who he considers a good friend. He seems to worry about how much time he spends alone and does his best to keep him company when the turtle boy is in the city.

He's heard stories about the Listener from Oceas before so he's curious about them. He warms up to them once he realizes who they are and gives them a nickname, a sure sign of his friendship. Kaimir finds their origins as a human fascinating and wants to help them get used to their new life under the ocean, showing that he's at least interested in them as a person.

## Trivia

### Kaimir

* Likes giving nicknames
* Think blushing is really cute
* Will bite only if you ask really nicely
* He met Oceas when the turtle boy was patching him up after a fight with the creatures from the Northern Abyss. He earned the nickname "Shelly" when an poor, unfortunate soul bumped up against him and he went off on them for scratching his newly polished shell.
* Momento citizens like to decorate their homes with the human detritus that falls into the ocean. Kaimir also gets shiny rings that he definitely doesn't get by approaching crying humans on the beach.

### Fan Theories

* Look, the way Kaimir talks about Shelly is adorable and their OTP is my headcanon now.