Saliffa and Ehsan’s Rusty Parrotfish Delta
Delta is the beloved pet parrotfish kept by Saliffa and Ehsan in their shared household, a small but spirited creature that brings a touch of lively chaos into their otherwise quiet and intellectually intense domestic life. The name “rusty” suggests that Delta possesses the characteristic reddish-brown or dull orange hue typical of the rusty parrotfish species, though the story provides no further details about its exact size, patterns, or markings, leaving its precise appearance to the reader’s imagination. Delta lives in a cage within the couple’s living space, but on at least one notable evening, it is granted its freedom to swim joyously and energetically around the room, somersaulting and twisting through the water in a display of pure, unbridled exuberance that becomes slightly annoying when it repeatedly circles around Ehsan. He eventually has to catch the playful fish using a net, a task that takes several attempts before he successfully returns it to its enclosure, a small but telling moment that reveals his patience and his willingness to attend to mundane domestic chores despite his busy business schedule. Delta represents a rare point of shared domesticity between Saliffa and Ehsan, a living creature that interrupts their intellectual or professional preoccupations and reminds them of the simple, everyday rhythms of cohabitation. Though Delta plays only a minor role in the larger narrative, its brief appearance highlights the tender, ordinary moments that punctuate their strained marriage, offering a glimpse of warmth and humor that contrasts with the emotional distance that otherwise defines their relationship.
General Aalona’s Hermit Crab
General Aalona keeps a hermit crab that she uses as a motivational tool during her lessons with young Princess Amelia. The general would bring the crab to class and allow Amelia to play with it during breaks as a prize for good behavior or focus. When Amelia attempted to interact with the crab by giving it a piece of driftwood to climb on, the creature showed no interest and instead scuttled away from her, leading Amelia to remark that the crab didn’t seem to like her much, adding that nobody liked her. General Aalona responded by putting the crab back in its terrarium and reassuring the young princess that being liked wasn’t necessary—being smart, powerful, and looking good were what truly mattered.
Parmenides (Lampros’ Cuttlefish)
Parmenides is a domesticated pet cuttlefish belonging to Lampros, the older brother of Elena, in the Argolic Gulf. He lives in the family’s courtyard, where Lampros has repurposed a broken washing machine into a yard house for him – an invention that Parmenides immediately embraced, likely because of the automatic feeder installed inside, which distributes prawns at set hours. Cuttlefish in this world are described as intelligent creatures capable of counting, remembering details about their last meal, and even dreaming. Lampros named him Parmenides after the ancient land philosopher who proclaimed determinism; Elena found the name depressing, but Lampros insisted he couldn’t be talked out of it, as it was “decided by fate.” Despite the philosophically heavy name, Parmenides is portrayed as a rather happy cuttlefish who adores his owner. No physical description – such as colour, size, or markings – is provided in the story. His role is minor but charming, illustrating Lampros’ inventive, quirky personality and the warm, domestic life of the family.
Saliffa and Ehsan’s Rusty Parrotfish Delta
Delta is the beloved pet parrotfish kept by Saliffa and Ehsan in their shared household, a small but spirited creature that brings a touch of lively chaos into their otherwise quiet and intellectually intense domestic life. The name “rusty” suggests that Delta possesses the characteristic reddish-brown or dull orange hue typical of the rusty parrotfish species, though the story provides no further details about its exact size, patterns, or markings, leaving its precise appearance to the reader’s imagination. Delta lives in a cage within the couple’s living space, but on at least one notable evening, it is granted its freedom to swim joyously and energetically around the room, somersaulting and twisting through the water in a display of pure, unbridled exuberance that becomes slightly annoying when it repeatedly circles around Ehsan. He eventually has to catch the playful fish using a net, a task that takes several attempts before he successfully returns it to its enclosure, a small but telling moment that reveals his patience and his willingness to attend to mundane domestic chores despite his busy business schedule. Delta represents a rare point of shared domesticity between Saliffa and Ehsan, a living creature that interrupts their intellectual or professional preoccupations and reminds them of the simple, everyday rhythms of cohabitation. Though Delta plays only a minor role in the larger narrative, its brief appearance highlights the tender, ordinary moments that punctuate their strained marriage, offering a glimpse of warmth and humor that contrasts with the emotional distance that otherwise defines their relationship.
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