Oystercatcher Tide Pools bittersweet arrival

moons had passed since she had departed her home cove of driftwood. the separation had been bittersweet. the girl had surpassed her elders' expectations, and she had been deemed the spreader of truth. she was to go on this quest alone. no help would be allowed. the goddess was with her, of course. she rose every evening and guided the way.

the daylight pained her delicate eyes, which preferred the darkness of night to the bright of day, but onward she did press. weary, she stopped to settle herself onto the sand and tend to her worn feet. her tongue was rough on her paws, but she dutifully cleaned them of the sand that had accumulated there.