So I have no idea what this even was, but I wrote a thing. Yay!
The waves smashed against the shore, great herds of surf rushing against each other in an effort to reach the land first. Then, the sand slipping out from under her paws, the sea rushed back out to greet the next wave and began to cycle again.
Her fur was wet, sticking to her body. She was alone, isolated in a sea of silence. She closed her eyes, imagining she stood in the middle of the ocean, far away from the land and everyone on it.
Far out, somewhere beyond the horizon, past the setting sun, were lands she had never seen. Places she would never go. People she would never meet.
The sea arrived again, nearly knocking her off her feet. She stumbled back, opening her eyes and regaining her balance. The water was cold – refreshingly cold.
One day, she would go out there. One day she would explore the new lands. One day she would be free.
“Silverstream!” a voice was calling her, and the otter felt her heart sink. She didn’t want to go back yet. She didn’t want to hear her parents talk politics and argue with the tribe. She wanted to stay in the sea.
But she turned to see her mother, stopping by the edge of the sea. Another wave arrived, wetting the older otter’s feet.
“Is it time to go back?” Silverstream asked, reluctance in her voice. Her mother nodded, slowly making her way through the water to her side.
“Sorry, kiddo,” she said, laying a paw on her shoulder. “Your father needs you.”
“Why does he need me?” she asked, scowling. “He’s a freaking war hero. He’s the captain of Queen Tara’s guards! And you’re a member of this tribe – why do I need to be there?”
Her mother sighed, wrapping an arm around her daughter. The water was cold, and the air around them was cooling down as well, but Silverstream didn’t want to leave.
“Baby, you’re important. You’re as much a member of the tribe as I am – besides, Tide listens to you.”
Silverstream huffed.
“Yeah. Like that’s a good thing,” she muttered. “He’s obsessed with me.”
“Hey, he likes you. Give him a chance – he’s a nice kid.”
“Yeah.” Silverstream made no move to leave the ocean, watching the sun as it began to bleed into the sea.
“Your father needs you – your kingdom needs you. And once we have this treaty – once we can build a port here – you can be on the first ship to everywhere. If you want to.”
Silverstream sighed, finally leaning into her mother’s hug. Her mother was right – maybe she could help. And being able to travel across the sea – that was her greatest wish.
“Alright,” she said finally. “But I’ll captain my own ship one day.”
“Maybe,” her mother said with a smile. “Hey, how about I show you where I used to come when I was a kit. If it’s still here.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t – it’ been ages since you were a kit,” Silverstream said, a small grin covering her face.
“Hey! I’m not that old,” the older otter said with a laugh. Together, their arms slung around each other, the two otters left the relentless sea behind them.