So it's somewhere around 1:30 am and I decide to start writing. It's not much, but I was bored and hadn't ever written anything to show people before. Definitely not on FA scale anyway. I hadn't really intended to put it on FA, but I figured it fit. ::shrugs:: Who knows, you might like it! :)
Ps- Ignore the echidna's accent if it's not right XD

The Life of an Otter Pt 1


Loto woke with a start, the afternoon sun glaring down on him as if disappointed at his late arousal. He sat up slowly, rubbing an eye with a paw as the golden sand fell away from his sleek, reddish brown pelt. The waves washed warmly against his feet and muscular tail, wrapping around them, wishing him back into the sea. He looked around at the scene about him. The dunes rested behind him, cutting off his view from the pools farther inland, the tall, yellowish grass spiking up from the sand like spines on a hedgehog. Nearer to him was a tall palm, laden with green coconuts, its green frills fanned out to catch the hot sunlight. A gull perched on top, eyeing him suspiciously.
"Off with ya!" Loto stood and waved the bird away. He wasn't too fond of the things with their conniving eyes and raucous cries. He looked back to the blue expanse before him, once again feeling its call, before heading toward the dunes. The otter stopped and gazed at the rolling hills of sand. What is it going to be like in the city? Certainly not as free and lively the sea. He shook his head, trying to clear it of intruding thoughts. I'll deal with that later. Best to enjoy the moments I have left.
Over the years, waves had swept up to the dunes, pushed through them and created many pools, and, upon receding, had created a riverbed full of multicolored shells and rocks, pioneered in at high tide. Stepping into the now dry path, Loto felt the smooth stones press comfortingly into his paws and he stooped to pick one up. It was jet black with white calcium lines racing across it, reminiscent of lightening on a stormy night. Loto smiled and put it in the pocket of his black swim trunks. The stone would make a nice keepsake. He closed his eyes and continued walking, allowing the path to lead him where it would. He could feel the salty breeze around him, its warm fingers stroking his fur and playing on his long whiskers. He'd miss the comfort it offered him. Suddenly, the pebbles beneath ceded to solid rock. Loto opened his eyes. Before him rested the tide pools, volcanic rock exposed by the ocean and worn by time. He stopped and peered into a pool near him. It was rather large, as tide pools go, and the microcosm inside was teeming with life. Small fish darted among the strangles of vegetation that had fought its way into the rock. A crab skittered angrily across the bottom into its home; a small cave surrounded by green and violet sea anemones. An orange starfish clung to the side of the pool, one of its arms missing, no doubt from a scuffle with the crab. Spotting a cluster of mussels, Loto submerged his torso and snatched a few from their roosts. He sat on the edge of the pool, leaving his legs in the water and watched the bubbles that clung to his fur rise slowly to the surface. Taking the bone knife from around his neck, he pried the first mussel open. He scraped the grit and debris from around the meat before popping it neatly into his mouth. Not nearly as good as clams. However the mussel was satisfying and Loto realized that he hadn't eaten yet. He quickly ate all but the last of the bivalves, which he'd eat on his walk. Taking another glance at the furious crab, he set off.
After passing beyond the tides pools and through the tiny stand of trees, Loto reached the parking lot. He passed the 'No Camping, No Littering' sign, ignored the malodorous public restrooms and made his way across the parking lot to his car. He brushed any traces of sand out of his fur before getting into the shiny, dark green Mazda cx 7. The black leather interior was still fresh and the smell of new car lingered. He glanced at the digital numbers on he dash. Four thirty, it's not too late. I've still got a two hour drive ahead though. He got his REI backpack out of the backseat and dug around for a shirt. He pulled out a light blue button up. It'll do. He held it up to his nose. Smells like Clyde still. Loto smiled as he fastened the buttons. I had to pack some of his clothes on accident, didn't I? He laughed at the thought of his partner frantically searching their small house for the stray article of clothing. He and Clyde had been dorm mates since their second year in college, five years ago, and still Loto was unfamiliar with the bear's need to organize everything. He'll be missing me about now too. More than the shirt anyway. Loto placed the bag on the seat next to him, started the car, and felt it rumble eagerly. He tapped the gas meter. Let's hope I've got enough to get me home. He drove out of the small parking lot, hearing the stray gravel rattle on the asphalt, and turned onto the highway, heading for his new life in Sydney.

"Where is that damn otter? He knew we had packing to do!" Clyde flopped down on the small, tan couch surrounded by boxes, his big furry paws smothering the couch cushions. He glared over at an open box by the door to their room. Where IS that shirt?! He put his paws over his face and sighed. Loto probably took it on one of his escapades to the beach. What am I gonna do with him? He strangled the air otter in front of him before getting back up to move more boxes. The bear stood, paws on hips and looked around the room. Most of what they own had been placed in boxes next to the front door. They didn't have much. Loto's kitchen utensils and other cooking items in one box, Clyde's weights and work out tapes in another. Their small living room contained the couch, an armchair, an ornate bookshelf now devoid of books and a chest with a pile-up of dust on the back that had escaped Clyde's attention while it hid behind the TV.
He ducked under the low frame of the doorway to the kitchen, now just barren counters and an oven. The movers had already taken the fridge to their new apartment. Clyde ran his hands down the white, cracked paint on the wall. How odd that you get so attached to a place. Even if it infuriated you while you lived there. He chuckled and turned on the black and white tile floor and wandered into their bedroom. He flipped the switch on the wall and the dim light lit up the lonely room. The futon mattress he and Loto slept on was folded into a lump on the wooden skeleton of a frame and there were four round circles in the carpet where their bedside table had been. It was now in pieces packed away along with the lamp that had normally sat upon it.
The front door opened and a sheepish otter walked in. "Clyde? I'm home. Don't kill me, for your shirt is, in fact, in one piece." The bear lumbered out of the bedroom.
"Is that so? I'm surprised." He feigned shock. "Oh! And it's not soaking wet either." Clyde chuckled and squeezed the otter tightly.
"Help me.." Loto wheezed, "I'm being loved to death."
"Yeah, yeah whatever. You like it." Clyde loosened his hug a bit, but it was enough for the otter to wriggle free and plant a kiss on the bear's cheek.
"So! Looks like you've got everything pretty much settled here." Loto looked around the room. "Hard to imagine we lived in this place for three years." Clyde sat down on the couch.
"Well, if I remember right you were the one who thought it looked 'cozy.'"
"And you never said it wasn't!" The otter stuck his tongue out and sat down on the couch as well. "Look at that," he pointed to the wall where the TV had been. "Makes you wanna cry doesn't it. Imagine our poor TV shoved in a box by some lug."
"Well, that 'lug' just packed up the whole house while some butt was gone." He turned to the otter. "Where did you go? You had me worried. You don't just say 'I'm leaving! Be back later!' at 7 in the morning. I hadn't even had any coffee." The bear grumbled and pretended to pout.
"I went to the beach." Loto shrugged, "I wasn't sure when I'd have the time to go back, what with us going to the city and all." Clyde looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
"We live in Australia, dear. How can you not go to the beach?" He patted the stricken animals head. "Besides, we'll live in Sydney. That's ON the water. You'll be fine. How far did you go anyway?"
"I guess you have a point, but I meant a REAL beach. Anyway, I went down to Narrawallee. You know, just north of Ulladulla?" Loto smiled.
"Yeah I remember, you devil. You should've taken me with you." They kissed and the bear stood up. "Ah well, another time, huh? The movers will be here soon and you're going to have to help. Want me to make you something to eat?" Clyde gestured to the kitchen and Loto put the bear's arm down. He glanced at the stack of boxes.
"You mean using the stuff in the box labeled 'Kitchen Doodads?'" Loto laughed and ran a paw up Clyde's side and tickled him. "No thanks. I had something on the road." Ding Dong!
"Well, guess who!" Clyde went to the door and opened it. "Hey, come on in guys we'll start with the furniture." Loto went to search the house for any missed items while a wombat and an echidna walked in wearing grey work uniforms and caps.
"G'day mate!" The echidna saluted. "We'll 'ave this all cleah'ed out inna jiffy!" The echidna trundled over to one end of the couch while the wombat walked out to get the truck ready. "One! Two! Three! Lift!" Clyde hurried to help the overzealous echidna. It was an awkward venture to the truck with the couch tilted at all sorts of angles, none of which were easy for the echidna.
"Er, mayhaps you an your ott should just get boxes." Clyde nodded and hurried inside to get Loto. The echidna turned to the wombat and winked. The wombat, as expressionless as when they had arrived, shrugged and continued working. The echidna shook his head. People nowadays.