The gentle waves swayed against the rocky shore and the solitude of the docks. The early sun rose with a gentle pink glow, its loving rays to reflect off the water. Richard found peace on mornings like these, on shore for once between his constant months away at sea.

He was set back for Gotham in the following days, never once having regretted his decison to leave his princely life for his new one at sea. He defeated bandits, pirates, sea monsters and creatures, gave back to Gotham's unluckiest and...

A distant crying shook his brain away from it's thoughts. It was squeaky and.. concerningly young.

He descended the dock and spotted a ball of fur caught in a net of trash. Richard hissed, cursing polluters and uncaring fishermen. He carefully approached and cut the net to free the creature, who he assumed to be a selkie, but ended up being an otter pup, their skin red and irritated from the net, their big, furry tail matted with bits of rubbish, their fuzzy legs trembling.

"Oh, you poor baby.." Richard whispered in a fatherly tone, like Bruce once did when he got hurt as a young prince only years ago. "Shh, don't cry, little kitten," he soothed the human-otter hybrid as he made quick work of freeing them and pulling it's hiccuping form close. "It's alright.. those mean nets can't hurt you no more. Yeah, it'll all be okay, honey.." He shushed, rocking the small body in his arns.

Just a kit, apart from it's lodge and mother, so young and tainted by cruel and irresponsible fishermen. Richard scowled as he smoothed the kit's matted, hyrophobic fur to brush away the water droplets. "You're alright.. quit your crying, it's okay, I'll clean you up real good, alright?"

He stood, cradling the little one as he made haste towards his ship, the crewmates greeting him on the fine morning, surprised by the sight of the creature in their captain's arms.