Submission (#5288) Approved

The soft and cool sand beneath my paws released a quiet crunch with each step I took before shortly coming to a stop along the shoreline of wet sand. My gaze sweeping over the glistening quiet waves of the ocean while the sun slowly rose casting a soft orange and yellow across the blue. Splashing sounded ahead of me as a lime green Kittom with streaks of blue and white raced into the water while I bent down to eye level with the little black furball of a pomu off my back.

I watched the little fella kick up a bit of sand as if they were happy to be on the beach once more. With a small laugh I patted their tiny head before speaking, “Stay here, I don’t need to go saving you from the waves even if they are calm.” I told them. Earning a nod in response they plopped down in the sand and began building something in the sand.

“Estella! Come on, we're burning the morning daylight!” Miyu hollered, snatching my attention.

“Coming!” I hollered back, leaping up to my feet and dashing towards her, disturbing the salty waters of Palu’au. 

“Ready?” She questioned as I skidded to a stop by her side. 

“As ready as I can be, are you sure we get to see the sea life here?” I questioned holding a skeptical look as I thought about my barren home with dangerous yet gorgeous underwater life. 

A smile grew across her face as she beamed. “I promise this is a sight to behold!” She exclaimed before grabbing my arm and pulling me further into the water. “Now come on! And remember to take a deep breath!” She exclaimed, releasing my arm as she disappeared below the surface.

I stood there frozen for a few seconds or more as I blinked at the water watching her vibrant green colors shimmer over the clear ocean. I guess I must’ve taken too long, lost in a daze as a hand suddenly shot out grabbing my wrist and pulling me below the waters into a new world.

Bubbles swarmed around me as my body forced the water to move and allow me through. Holding my breath I blinked my eyes open before nearly gasping at the sight ahead of me left in utter bewilderment. 

Compared to the only the icey and sandy underbelly of my home land, this place was vibrant in color, plants that thrive under the ocean, and sea creatures of various colors and sizes. The waters of my home were peaceful and silent, bringing a sense of calm to oneself while the ocean of Palu’au, loud and bright, carried a delightfully cheerful atmosphere to it.

Miyu held a bright smile seeing just how awestruck I was by the ocean of her own homeland. Gently tugging my arm she snapped me back to reality. Getting my attention she tossed her head to the side signaling for me to follow.

Pulling the water passed me I followed after her as I took in the sights around me. Coral covered the sandy and rocky ocean floor alongside it’s starfish companions and slug like creatures. One even looked like a white bunny with black tipped ears. I nearly reached out to touch the creature before my friend slapped my hand and shook her head.

Moving along I let my hands run over the seaweed and corals feeling the smooth to coarse textures even the slight bit of a sting from a sea anemone. Father out more bigger sea creatures began to appear most being harmless fish mixing in black and yellows to blue to yellows, even a clown looking like fish all creatures I have never seen before. What truly caught my eye though was the sea turtles swimming past. Excitedly I grabbed onto the shell ribbing upon the back of the large deep green creature, Miyu following after me on her own turtle riding the ocean current. 

Down below larger fish began to swim up past us as I took in just how huge they truly were. Large flat gray creatures with what looked like they keep be wings stretched out casting a shadow over us. As big as they were, they weren’t the least bit frightening as I raised up a hand letting it gaze across one of them that swam past.

I turn my gaze back towards my friend as I let go of my sea turtle, eyes dazzling wide as she made a laughing motion before pointing forward. Tilting my head I turned around just in time for a creature that made my fur rise when it swim past. Instinctively I gripped my head tightly as I pulled myself close to her recognizing the figure to fit a shark, however it was different looking from the ones back home.

The ones at home were huge and bulky with light gray top and white underbelly. This one was thin with a long tail that came to a point like a hook at the end, black tips on its fins and a light brown body instead of grey.

Miyu gently rested a hand over mine giving me a soft smile before taking my hand and reaching it out towards the shark as it circled around. I tense up as my finger tips grazed across the sharp, rough scales while it looks to pay us no mind. Soon enough the shark was on its merry way leaving us be as I calmed down before looking at my hand unable to believe I touched such a vicious creature or what I believed to be violent. 

Feeling her hand take mine I turn my attention to my friend who held a slightly worried look. I gave her a soft reassuring smile before pointing upwards for us to resurface, breaching the water the two of us shared a laugh. “You know Miyu.” I chimed earning a soft hum in questioning. “You were right, this was a sight to behold…”