EMPIRE ANTS ⟡ o, seashell hunting

[FINNEGAN F.M.R.]

WATERFALLS COMING

OUT YOUR MOUTH,

WHAT THE HELL

ARE WE DOING NOW?

draconic feline . minnow . he/they

There was something about the sea that had always been so... compelling to the young boy. Finn didn’t know if it was the smell, the sound, or the way it seemed to go on endlessly beyond the horizon. Perhaps it was something deep within him that drew him near, but regardless, exploring by the water’s edge was a favorite past time of his. When he wasn’t trying to practice his flying or climbing skills (despite his asthma trying to tell him doing these things was a very bad idea), he had a rather strange hobby of hoarding different shells he found during his adventures on the beach. Today, he was determined to find a really awesome shell he could brag about to everyone, a shell that would totally blow all other shells away.

Trotting along the shore, Finnegan would allow his purple hued gaze to scan the sand around him, waves lapping dangerously close to where his paws were. It was currently lowtide- the best time to go looking for seashells. While it was rather early in the morning and he was still slightly sleepy, the young minnow was determined to at least find one cool shell. Picking up a small pale blue shell, a small, surprised yelp would come from Finn as a hermit crab poked its way out of the large opening at the bottom, causing the draconic feline to quickly drop it back onto the damp sand. “Ah! I’m sorry!” He exclaimed, taking a step backwards. The crab, seeming unphased, just scuttled off, presumably to bury itself in the sand once more. Sighing in defeat, he would pause his search to look around him. Was the tide really going to disappoint him today and bring him nothing? Even after all the trouble he went to of getting up early?

Just when he was about to give up, the water now starting to engulf his tiny paws, a glint in the sand before him caught his eye. Something shiny and pink was buried just a few feet ahead. Rushing over, Finnegan began to furiously dig out the wet sand, hoping this was something worth his time. Once enough sand had been removed, the kitten was able to tug the large treasure free. What was it exactly? A large cream and pink conch shell. “YES! Finally! The treasure hunter has struck GOLD!” He would exclaim as quietly as he could manage, eyes glimmering with triumph. Taking his prize, he would set it next to a small pile of shelves under a palm tree at the back of the beach, away from the waves. Maybe it was stupid of him to feel prideful of such a small achievement, but to him, it was like uncovering a buried treasure chest.