star whales at the end of the world

As she watched, a black fin broke the surface of the water. Clem sat up straighter. Below the fin, a great shadow swam closer to the dock. When the shadow reached below her dangling feet, the orca raised her head, splashing the water high enough to soak the bottoms of her cargo pants.
 
Clem smiled. “Hello Shel.” 

She reached down with her feet, tapping her soles against Shel’s slick skin. 

Hello. We are early, yes? 

Clem heard her voice not as a voice. More of a…a feeling. Like the sound of the waves on the surf or the wind through the trees. A song. It rumbled beneath her feet and into her mind. There was no easy way to explain it.