♦ -- the gentle caress of the sun was light and lifting. a cradle upon the earth as exodus's calloused feet glided over soft grains of sand. her limbs sank into the pillowy earth below. so soft and yielding. it had become familiar and comforting to her toes. exodus wiggled her claws, gluttonously soaking in the warmth the sun's fondle had bestowed onto her; a gift, for her. that ball of fire-- so bright and unyielding and glorious, yet tender, loved her. she let the muted heat soothe her. let it sing through her veins like the lazy hum of a bird's wings in summer, and sauntered down to the beach.

in her short moons of living, exodus had grown very accustomed to the feeling of comfort, relaxation and pamperedness. she felt as if the world were for her. as if the world were blessed to have her explore it's circumfrence. of course, this feeling of youthful pride could never compare to virgo's. the alpha of strength. whom she admired envied deeply. fiercely. wanted to be her. wanted to walk with power and grace in her step, movements so sure and measured. each step carrying meaning behind it.

and yet for all her love for her siblings, it seemed as if nothing could light a candle to the beach. the beach who was so smooth and calm, yet a force of nature to be reckoned with. vast and blue, it's burbling surface slowly rolling against the sand. beating against the shore. receding every so often to recuperate for an attack. and then beating again. it was in these moments that the sea was her companion. her ally.

today, it gave her a gift.

a gift in the form of a whalebone. all smooth and white and large. it's ivory surface glimmered with the last vestiges of water in the sun. her mind pondered over the mighty beast who could have possessed such a bone-- a bone that was hers to keep. she had found it first. it must be hers.

squat legs instantly churned with energy as she made way for her new discovery. feverishly awning over it, jaw agape to clamp down onto it's smooth, off-white surface. she would take it back to her nest if it was the last thing she had done-- to preoccupied with it's beauty to even comprehend that she was too small to lift it, and it was far too large to sit comfortably within their home.