The stars still glittered overhead. The sun was not yet risen.
In the early hours of morning, the peachy figure of Samani twitched and squirmed in her sleep. Her dreams were filled with the rush of sea water. She could almost taste the brine, even though she remained tucked in her family’s den. Still, the dream threatened her life with its realism.
Just when the waters had rushed to her head and began to fill her mouth, Samani opened her eyes with a jumping start and sucked in a gasp of chilly air. All was safe – she was in the den of her family. The jade of her eyes searched her immediate surroundings before she pushed herself to her paws and shook the debris from her fur.
Samani stepped outside and began to search for her father. She felt that
@Aiolos would have kind words to ease her nightmare.
Outside, her father sat with his back to the mouth of the den. The way he sat, he could see the land in front of the healing den's southward of Moonwoman's. He could see the grove opposite, blocking his view of the lake from here.
Out came one of his young and he tosses a ginger snout over his burnished shoulder. Samani had stirred awake and came there after him.
Come sit with me, my beautiful girl...
His cream and red tail thumps the ground at his side. Have your dreams woken you?
At once, her father’s voice soothes the ruffles in her coat.
Samani padded toward him swiftly, burying her peachy nose into the thick of his fur. She knew that he would help settle the restlessness that had followed her dream. And almost as if he had known, Aiolos asked his daughter if she had experienced a nightmare. Samani continued to breathe in the warmth of his figure and allowed herself to be softened by the repetition in his breath.
Yes,
she muttered quietly into his fur. When she pulled back, her jadestone gaze searched his face.
Do dreams tell us things?
Samani asked her father, ears drawn to a point. He would surely know.
His young twin daughter came swift to his side with eagerness and love. It was often that Samani could and would press herself upon her father and cling so happily there. Something which often did not come from his firstborn, who favored the side of her mother instead.
He lifts a foreleg to drape over the shoulders of Samani. Already she had grown so much and soon she would go from youngest of his blood to eldest with the coming season. Of course, with Sialuk and Lote's litter, Samani's family was far larger.
Yes.
Aiolos answers her with all honesty, even if thinking her dreams to be real might frighten her. Sometimes our dreams are of memories past. Sometimes, the Gods give us vision of future to come- prophecies which could be good or bad. And others,
He pauses with a smile down to his peachy coated girl, Are just silly dreams our minds think up and nothing more.
The moon child listened to her father. He offered her a few different things that she might consider. Samani could only appreciate his honesty. The sun man was as warm as the colors upon his coat, so his daughter found solace at his side. She could not think of a better wolf to ask than her father. Even though his answer was confusing to her, she thought it would make more sense in time.
I dreamed of the big water,
she spoke quietly, expression unshifting. It tried to pull me, to take the air from inside me and fill me with sea.
After having woken up, Samani thought that it was a silly dream to have in the comfort of Moonglow’s borders.
The girl looked to her father, wondering what he might have to say on the matter.
His little girl had dreamt of drowning in the ocean. His ginger ears turned back to this. He did not think she dreamed this thing out of fear, for Samani had quite so enjoyed her visit to the beach her first and still only time. Aiolos believed it to be something else.
The Goddess Sea warns you.
He speaks honestly. He is a protective and cautious father and does not wish to coddle his children. He wants them smart and aware. Her waters are very beautiful but very dangerous. Stronger then creek or river, as I've told you.
He had mentioned this when they visited the sea but he reminds her again, as she was still quite young then and may have forgotten by now. The waters are not okay for drink either. It can sting your eyes, nose and throat. Eating from the sea creatures there takes much skill and sacrifice but worth the reward.
A warning!
The moon child looked at her father intently. His honesty was appreciated and welcomed by the young girl. It seemed that the sun man understood more of her dream than she could. Samani listened to his words with a solemn face.
The ocean had been beautiful. It had been a lovely day, even when Kau had been misbehaving. The young girl had wanted nothing more than to see the waters again. Perhaps this was why the warning dream had arrived. If she was to ever return to the sea, she would need to act with caution, with utmost care.
Samani nodded her head to her father and bumped her head to him.
I want to see it again. One day…
She listened quietly, taking in the word of her taataa. When she responded it was not with objection. A nod of her head confirmed her acceptance and understanding. Maybe now though she longed to see the great waters once again, she would make sure not to let her excitement blind her better judgment when it came to her safety. Samani was soulful and attentive. Aiolos did not think she would get into trouble easily.
I would really love to as well.
He spoke with a great smile and placed his chin onto his daughter's crown.
We can go together?
Samani’s head lifted so that she could look at her father’s face. She had so enjoyed their day by the waters. Even her frightening dream could not have removed her budding love of the ocean. That part of her was something that she would grow to understand better, with time. The moon child could not help but to find herself pleased that she shared this with the sun man. It was like their special place – where sand and water met.
Of course we would go together.
He spoke with a softened smile as he looks down to his little girl. It is always more wonderful when shared with someone you care for.
He told her, with hope to instill within her a deep love and care for her family as she grew to know them all, even if she might not always agree with her siblings, especially any younger ones.
Now, come back to the den. Maybe the Sea will let you rest now.
He spoke as he lifted, nudging his pup back towards their sleeping quarters.
The remnants of her dream had been soothed by the gentleness of her father. Samani felt at ease again, ready to sleep. The sun man nudged her, suggesting that she return to the den where she could rest. The girl nodded her head softly to him. She was grateful that he had given her words of advice. She was grateful that he had so much understanding in his heart. Samani returned to the den where she found a warm place to curl up. Heavy eyelids closed. When she dreamed again, it was of sunlight and glittering beach sand.