inkbunny.net · 3721010:5743215

Ta'hira could barely remember how she had entered this cave, let alone the way back. Too foggy is her mind now after diving for so long. From airpocket to airpocket she tries to find her way, but there is less and less air. Her aquatic body is adapted to consume little oxygen, but even that has limits.

Her forcefully calmed heart threatens to race every time she sees the sparkling sign of a water surface. Yet she has to remain calm not to disturb and loose it.
Only her nose and the tip of her lips breach the surface but first not to breathe in. With her chest quivering, screaming at her, she must first exhale to expand the air-pocket enough for her to take it back in...
At last.. it soothes her lungs. Only for a couple minutes but she can continue this hopeless dive...

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Oxygen deprivation has weakened Ta'hira's body at this point. Her vision is narrowed, constantly darting across the ceiling in search for a sparkle. For air.. for something to sustain her exhausted, burning lungs.

She recognizes this spot. She has been here before. Swam in circles?
What little hope the strong otter had at that point is crushed when the trail of bubbles subsides where she had taken all the air before.
Her chest quivers as it had anticipated fresh air. She cannot hold it in and her cheeks puff up with the stale breath.
But there is nothing left for her besides that what she holds in...

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No matter how determined she was, at some point it was too much even for Ta'hira. A proud otter and skillful freediver she is. Yet this cave has bested her.
She lasted for an entire hour on what little air it provided but now all the breath has left her.

Only to be replaced by water that rages in her throat and chest.
Even in this moment, she tries to stay calm. It is her nature after all. In her tribe, finding ones end by the water while on a mission is an honor. An honor Ta'hira would take.

Yet instincts do eventually take over. A hand snaps to her neck but at least she does not choke. The water shall take her lungs in one go and let her pass out in peace...

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A very intense series drawn by the amazing SillyLynnS: https://www.deviantart.com/sillylynns

Likely the best artwork of my dear otter ever~

Drawings of Ta'hira, my sweet otter ^w^ She has a cub form as well as a more common adult form~