Submission (#1574) Approved

Gift Art Submission Link: https://worldofeyre.com/submissions/view/1483
Related Prompt: Festive Gifting Spirit
1st or 2nd Submission: 2nd
Regional Affinity: Palu'Au
Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/ELN1595

While not originally from the Palu’au islands, Rune has always dreamed of seeing them with his own eyes.  The islands are certainly beautiful, but for Rune, the first draw is the unavoidable never-ending expanse of bright blue ocean that surrounds the islands.  Just the thought of the warm water below his paws, the waves gently crashing against the shore, warming, and glittering under the sun, the thought that, if he were to turn his head, the ocean would be there – on the tail end of his eye, behind him, besides him as he walked and talked and ate and slept.  Easily reached by a placid walk from wherever you stay – the mere thought can be enough to bring a wistful smile to his face.

With the ocean undoubtedly comes the swimming – and with the swimming, the scuba diving.  Because above the surface, the water is beautiful seafoam green or deep blue depending on its depths.  The waves foam white at their crests.  The salt tickles the nose as you walk.  The wind kicks up the sand where it peppers fur and towels and umbrellas alike if they remain on its path, both stinging and refreshing.

But under the waves lies a whole different world – a world of water, sand, coral, fish, and seaweed.  A world where life is varied and colorful and odd and fascinating in equal measures.  Where Rune dreams to spot a sea turtle placidly swimming by as fish of a thousand different colors flee before it to wriggle and hide amongst the rocky surfaces of the coral or behind the hallowed out sponges that filter the water.  Rune dreams of swimming amongst this stunning ecosystem, ever careful to not touch or harm the colorful coral.  To see the wonders with his own eyes, and swim upwards to emerge among the waves to take a deep breath of fresh salty air.