it was late when zuriela left the nursery. silently moving so that she would not wake the others inside. she glanced over her shoulder and moved towards the ocean. she was in love with it, and that made her want to go. so, she did just that. paws guiding her to the shore, where she would settle in. looking up at the night sky as her rear found the ground. bushy tail curling about her paws.

the child found herself watching the stars above. enjoying how they twinkled and glimmered. trying to find the shapes others so often said were there. she hardly noticed shapes. but, she did notice a shooting star.

"speech"