Music of the Tides

Tap tap tap...Dexter’s feet-paws tap against the hot wooden planks of a long pier as he makes his way along its length. Steadily getting further out over the water, further away from land. Dexter takes regular deep inhales while he walks, filling his lungs with the distinct aroma of the sea, mixing with the sweet smell of a nearby humid tropical forest’s flora that diminishes as he gets further away. Tap tap tap...the continuous series of sounds that breaks the soft roar of ocean waves in rhythmic pace. Every so often, that rhythm momentarily interrupted by a distracting creak escaping from the piers wooden frame. This process continues for a good while, until...Tap tap tap tap, then another long squeak from the wooden frame settling, followed by nothing. The tapping ceases as Dexter reaches the end of the pier, leaving just the soft roar of the sea flowing through his ears. The lion stands at the end of this pier, sporting a pair of blue shorts and the sapphire arrowhead that hangs from his neck. The arrowhead itself holding immense value and meaning to him, almost always resting against his chest, gently rattling to every beat of his heart. Dexter lifts his head for a second, feeling a slight tickling sensation from the swirling breeze flowing through his mane. All the while, his tail gently sways in a manner that mimics the waves around him.

Dexter stares out over the seas for a while. Its waters reaching far off to the distant horizon, giving the illusion of an ocean that just goes on forever. A sailboat drifting along the surface managing to capture his attention briefly, before he turns back towards the shore he just trekked from. The coasts features appearing to blend some due to his distance along the pier. His eyes shifting to the low tree tops as he detects a bit of movement. Narrowing his eyes to get a better view, he makes out a flock of birds emerging from the trees, somewhat further in the forest. The graceful avians lazily flapping their wings in a relaxed manner, sea-breeze keeping them aloft with little to no effort on their part. Dexter smiles at this, but only for a moment as it gradually fades. His eyes drifting down towards the water, mind trailing as he thinks to himself about how much he wants to cast aside the weight on his own spirit’s wings, so he could fly high above these beautiful lands.

A fleeting whirlwind of thoughts resonates within him while he stands as still as a statue, mind locked-up in a trance-like daydream. It feels as if the rest of the world starts to drift away in his slight daze as he stares right into the eyes of his own reflection on the water’s surface. That lion with a perfect resemblance to Dexter staring right back at him with a worried expression, draped in sorrow, causing a deep numbing sensation in his heart. A sensation that's like a momentary absence of warmth on the inside that nudges him out of his trance. He lets out a slow sigh to settle himself. Then shuts his eyes tight, whispering into the cool breeze “this isn’t what I came here for.” He gives a quick grip to his paw before relaxing it, relaxes his stance, and relaxes his muscles. Shoving out a swift stream of air through his blue nostrils, he reopens his eyes to glance back to the shore. The flock of graceful birds from before still drifting along, above the same group of trees. Appearing almost as if they’re hovering about with their wings spread wide, gliding in the sea-breeze rushing ashore from the open ocean. A sight that now settles the big cat further.

Dexter came to this stunning, peaceful spot for a reason, and swimming around in his own seas of sorrow, guilt or stress certainly wasn’t one of them. He slowly manages himself down to sit off the edge of the pier with his feet-paws dangling just above the water. Once in a comfortable spot, he closes eyes again, then lets his body take over its natural breathing patterns while he relaxes. Dexter doesn’t think, doesn’t worry, doesn’t move, doesn’t wonder, doesn’t even purr; just relaxes and listens. After a good five minutes or so like this, he finds himself easing into a completely relaxed state. The ever-present soft roaring of the waves, spiced up with the soft whisper of the sea-breeze and the infrequent calls of sea-gulls flying overhead; all combining to produce a soothing tune that immerses him in a pool of comfort and peace. Dexter soon reopens his eyes slowly to the environment, carefully allowing them to readjust to the proud sun beaming overhead. It feels as if he’s just emerged from the refreshing waters below with a renewed sense of calmness.

Dexter now sits here, taking a moment to observe his surroundings and embrace its entirety. He can't help but smile at the stunning grandeur of such a gorgeous day that fills him with a calming happiness. Reminding him a lot of the happiness a bright friend spurred in him along a brief, yet exhilarating stretch of his life; a very rare something he cherishes more than his symbolic arrowhead necklaces of sapphire. This happiness makes Dexter feel like his spirit is soaring weightless and free, lifted higher by a powerful sensation of joy. A feeling he wishes for every spirit out there to experience, if not even greater. The bright sun shining over the blue crystals clear waters of the sea, with the glittering streak of sun rays reflecting off its surface. Along with puffy clouds drifting about the expanse of the sky, and the emerald-green of the tropical forest blanketing the coast. Out to sea, the
ever-inviting, infinite bright horizon.

And to go with it all, the wondrous music of the tides...

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Phenomenal color commission done by artist  guttertongue Original artist post here: [Tides]

Loving how the sunny tropical atmosphere came out in this one, as well those gorgeous waters. Perfect place to relax and unwind from...well just about anything really. The story or writing or whatever, wasn’t really the focus of this or really even supposed to be there, but thought it’d be nice to describe the environment some. Like giving a little more life to an already lively piece. Something like a thinking exercise I guess one could call it.

Dexter belongs to me  Dexterlion accompanying writing too! also at [@DexChillViber]