He looked down at his hands. No, not hands. His fingers were stubbier, webbed. Panic rose in his chest as he realized he wasn't imagining it. He really was a turtle.
Two weeks later
Eli thought he was just another turtle in a crowded pet shop tank, Life was monotonous: swim, eat, sleep, repeat. He never really had fun unless he was watching his tankmates mess around with each other where he often joined in to have something to do. but he knew he was just a pet waiting to be sold to whoever walked through the door and inevitably separated from his brothers.
But the day he was adopted was different than he imagined.
The bell above the shop door jingled, and a couple entered. The man, dressed in simple yet neat clothes, carried an air of quiet strength. The woman beside him had an elegance that softened her presence. They moved as one, their connection obvious in every glance and touch.
"It's our anniversary," Shen explained, her voice melodic. "And Yoshi insists I choose the gift so I decided why not a turtle? i always wanted one."
'Yoshi?!?' Eli thought ' Like Hamato Yoshi? Like Ninja Turtles Yoshi? Well, I don't see any green and white scales on him and he definitely doesn't look like a raptor so he's not from Mario. gah! how could I have been so dense I've been in a tank with four turtles for 2 weeks and I didn't even think of TMNT, well I guess I have good reason since being reincarnated is already unlikely so I mean it being a different world is something that could pass by the radar'
Yoshi chuckled. "Only the best for you, my love," he said while holding a loving gaze in her direction
As they wandered the store, Shen's eyes fell on the tank. Her expression softened as she knelt to get a better look. "They're adorable," she murmured, pointing at the turtles clustered near the glass.
Yoshi crouched beside her, his eyes following hers. "Do you want one?"
Shen hesitated. "One would be lonely, don't you think?"
Yoshi nodded. "Then we'll take them all then. Five turtles, a perfect little family."
The shopkeeper beamed at the sale and quickly gathered the turtles into a different tank.
The time that followed was like a dream. Yoshi and Shen took the turtles into their modest home, a cozy apartment filled with warmth and laughter. They named each turtle, giving them identities beyond the shells they carried. Tang Shen came up with the idea to name them after Renaissance artists since she was a painter herself. The calmest became Leonardo. The cleverest became Donatello. The fiery one was named Raphael. The most hyperactive of the bunch became Michelangelo. And then there was Eli. Shen chose his name, a simple yet meaningful one that resonated deeply with her.
"You are quiet," she said softly as she watched him one evening. "But there is strength in you... Antonello, quiet but worthy"
'Huh, Antonello I... like it... I really like it...' Eli no Antonello thought ' I guess it's time I leave my old life behind now, right? I never thought I would feel so emotional at a name change but I guess I never thought I'd change my name huh'
Authors note: Well this is my second chapter tell me what you think about it I was gonna hold off on the name to ask you guys abt it but my story doesn't actually have many readers yet so a poll would be useless right now
I really hate writing but I'm going to try to do this for as long as I can but I wouldn't be opposed to monetary incentive tho so if you wanna encourage me leave comments talking about the book and if you would like to support me I know not many can so yeah
Until next week or earlier if something happens