Goodbye to the First Generation
Empyrean died a month ago and Charm died this past Saturday. I will miss them, but I'm not grief-stricken. Possibly because since this time last year, I have lost FOUR fishes of my betta family. Tempest and Charm were my first two bettas ever and seeing as how they lived over three years (average betta lifespan being 2-3 years), they've done really well, especially since they had to bear with all the mistakes of learning how to take care of them. Charm was such an energetic fish and such a good jumper (although it did get him in a 2 second fight with Tempest, once). I always used to make fun of Empyrean, but he was my first white betta and his relationship with Vesper was adorable. (I don't think I've profiled him yet...0.0 AGH! Must do! I'm sorry, baby.)
For both fishes I basically walked into my room and noticed that the fishes were on the bottom of the tank, angled unnaturally. Empyrean was a little under three years old and had been ailing for a couple days, so it wasn't a total shock. Charm had been doing FINE all up until I saw him dead. I took his a bit harder, like Tempest, he'd been with me for a while and he's always been such a trooper, energetic up until the day he died. In the backyard, I buried Empyrean underneath a pink-blossomed cherry tree (he's the gayest straight fish, I've ever met) and Charm under a lemon tree (because he's a tart one).
So now I'm down to two fish, which is a state I haven't been in for three years. It's surreal. I will probably keep it that way until I move out, since I'd like to inflict as little stress on as few fish as possible. (Though not that much seems to stress Allegra out...I bet she'll make it past 3 as well.) I'll just have to resist temptation...I'm not good at that...but I could use the time to slow down and play with my new babies more.
I bet Empyrean is reuniting with Vesper, his love in Betta Heaven. Charm is probably busy exploring, and just being handsome. Maybe he and Tempest will finish their fight.
Thank you Empyrean and Charm. Good bye. Say hi to Tempest, Mirage, Cascade, Sky, and Vesper for me. =)