username: BadgerBuddies
name: Lanakila (Lana)
gender: heifer
collar color: same pink as the flower with the orange flower color as some sort of accent
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gif: 
prompt: Lanakila was born and raised just down the road from the ocean. She cannot remember a time where it did not play a role in her life. As a calf, she remembers waking up early, excitedly packing her lunch, beach blanket, and a shovel and pale set for her days in the sun. Sometimes, it would be just her and her mother spending the day oceanside. These days were tranquil and quiet. Lana tended to keep to herself and build sandcastles or collect shells. Sometimes she could cajole her mother into going into the ocean to play, so long as the water wasn’t too chilly. Other times, Lana’s mother would bring her along with her own friends and their calves. Lana can remember the teamwork and determination it took to construct huge sand forts, and each calf loved every second of it. Days like these really helped Lana to connect with other calves and build lasting friendships.
She also enjoyed observing the wildlife in the water. Lana quickly learned that some ocean creatures would bury themselves under the sand to hide from other animals, so she would use her hoofs to dig them up and play with the crabs she would find before setting them free. Fishers would stand in the small cove at the end of the beach with a net to collect fish, and Lana would hover near them to see what cool finds they collected. Every so often, when she was feeling brave enough, she would scale the rocks and climb out onto the jetty and converse with the fishers using rods, as their catches were always much more spectacular.
There was always a deep love and appreciation for the ocean in Lana’s heart. When a hurricane destroyed the beaches and towns and badly damaged Lana’s home, she wept. How could something so lovely, something that she loved so dearly, hurt her this much? Surveying the damage, she became angry at the ocean, who was once her friend. The anger didn’t linger; she couldn’t possibly stay upset with the ocean. Instead, she developed more of a respect for it and it’s power. She was relieved when the damage was finally repaired and the beaches were fixed, and could once again return to her favorite place.
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As Lana grew older, she found herself far away from home. She had a desire to chase opportunity elsewhere. She was now trapped, geographically landlocked. There was no more cool breeze coming off the ocean to provide relief on a hot, sunny day. No warm sand to lay in and take the best nap you’ve ever had. She missed the salty tang of the ocean air, and she knew she could not remain where she was.
When she finally returned home, it was no longer summer, but this did not bother her. Lana stood at the shoreline and looked out onto the horizon. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as the waves gently rolled over her feet and then quickly retreated back out to sea. She felt at peace again. She was where she belonged.
