Sequoia Coast sea lion tusk

just one post from me, sorry to keep this short

The snow was crisp and cold underfoot and soon the lapping water was colder still. It sucked at his legs as the boy gazed into its murky depths; the words of his father comforting and resolute despite his nerves. Like the bison hunt, there was no room for error here.

He pressed his pelt briefly to Chakliux, shadowed fur mingling with white before he disappeared beneath the waves and Matteo followed suit.

No amount of words could have prepared him for this level of cold. It prickled like needles enveloping his entire body, stealing the breath from his chest in bubbles that shot from his nose and mouth and soon he was rocketing to the surface alongside them and heaving great gasps as he paddled to keep himself afloat. 

Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried not to panic and dove again. It was no less easy the second time, but soon he felt his heart slow to match the swell of the ocean. He remained suspended until his lungs burned and he knew he must rise again.

They would continue to train until the saltwater stung his eyes but he could make out his father's blurry figure among the dark, a ghost and shadow beneath the waves.