Sentinel's Stoic Watch

Sentinel earned his name not through aggression, but through unwavering vigilance. He would sit for hours, often on the highest point in his tank, surveying the room with a stillness that felt ancient. His communication was in his beard: jet-black when annoyed (usually during nail trims), slightly puffed when curious, and smooth as silk when content in the sun. He had a particular 'cuddle crawl'—when sleepy, he would slowly dig himself into the crook of an elbow or neck until he was snug. His departure left a void in our daily rhythm; there's no one to share the morning salad with, no stoic face to greet us when we come home.