Leaving the Nest

She loved the children. The children began so small, so helpless, but so wonderfully in Her likeness. As they grew, they learned the ways of Sea-dwelling from Her and the ways of land-dwelling from their sire. During this time they were eager to please. The children often brought gifts of pearl, prey, and sunken oddities in hope of pleasing Her.
 
Occasionally, one child would present an exceptional offering of prey, proving himself of being worthy to serve Her. These children She liked to keep close. Oftentimes Ischyros would struggle to get her to allow the continuance of land-dwelling education for these coveted children. Once, She hid one away and claimed it had passed on to the next plane. At the telling of this obvious deceit--for She would never have allowed harm to come to a favored child--Ischyros began to grieve and wail so outrageously that even She could not withstand it; She quickly gave up on the lie.
 
Upon reaching adulthood, Ischyros and She would bestow names to each child. Those chosen to serve Her would receive a single name--all they would need as Sea-dwellers. The others would receive two names: Their sire's name, Ischyros as a surname, and a unique identifier that would serve them adequately among land-dwellers.
 
At this point, one might assume that Archelon Ischyros was not one of the chosen children. Indeed, that is a correct assumption to make. However, Archelon will likely never comprehend how She may have slighted him. After the naming, he gave his usual offering--a bushel of fish--and went on his merry way, happily muttering his new name over and over as he went so as not to forget it.
 
Archelon Ischyros grew up during the Great Exile, so his land-dwelling education was conducted primarily in submerged caves; occasionally on deserted islands. Thus, he was never truly immersed in land-dwelling languages nor cultures until shortly after he reached adulthood. Although this is not the sole nor the primary cause of Archelon's difficulties integrating into land-dwelling society, it is the only cause that can be discussed in polite terms. Therefore, I hope you can forgive Archelon his blunders and accept him as he is, for he is already the best Archelon he can be.