Kallia had travelled far, had followed the directions of her father, and even accumulated a small collection of 'colleagues' to her cause. The lands were as her father described though - stunning. The sound of the vast ocean welcomed her like a familiar lullaby, so soothing and comforting, and it didn't matter that she had been raised away from it. It felt like home already.
Her father had said it was in her blood. It was in his blood too, and so she found it very strange, and somewhat dsiappointing, that he had not travelled here too. This was his birthplace. But he claimed he was too old for the journey now.
But no matter now, she had made it.
The reception had been very warm indeed and most helpful but it did not lessen the task she was about to face. Kallia prided herself on being solid, very hard to sway and almost immune to challenges set before her. But this...thi was something else entirely...
She had admired the ocean from afar, and had been seeking it for so long that she had forgotten its power. It was life-giver and death-bringer all at once. She took her first few steps and almost wanted to bolt at that first touch. That first cold wave that seeped under her fur and felt like a cold rush throughout her body, straight to her heart.
From then on, it felt easy. Once she was chest deep, she couldn't feel anything other than her own heartbeat. Her outer extremities, her limbs, were numb, they had melted in to the water and she just felt herself go forward.
So this is what he meant. This is what he felt. What my mother felt. My grandmother, my grandfather. Everyone.She made an about-turn in the water and began to swim back to shore, feeling her paws tingle as she got closer to touching them down on the shingle, as if her 'land-legs' were returning and the sea was letting her go.
Kallia emerged from the waters, shivering slightly, but proud. She wiggled her toes amidst the soft sand for a little, then picked a good sunny spot to dry off naturally.
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