[PRP] Keeping It In The Families

[Phail Ninja]

The RP for entry into the 'Keeping It In The Families' Soquili contest will go here.

Those participating:
Arden Forestlace (The Father) - Syaoran-Puu
Enya Forestlace (The Mother) - Yumitoko II
Onira Forestlace (The Daughter) - ropin and riden
Ataro Forestlace (The Son) - Phail Ninja



And.... this is now OPEN!

[Phail Ninja]

The warm glow of the sun lit up the lake, each crest of the waves blazing with a dazzling light. A gentle breeze danced over the surface of the water, causing small ripples to appear. They grew, larger and larger, until they broke upon the shore, leaving a small section of the bank glistening with moisture. The soft lapping of water filled the air, weaving together with the sounds of bird song to form a caressing melody.

Through the gaps in the reflecting light, the lake bed lay in full view. So clear was the water, that every small rock, twig and plant that lay several meters down could be seen with stunning clarity. The occasional fish darted below the surface, nothing more than a brief speck of color before it was out of sight.

Tall trees loomed on either side, infallible against the forces of nature. A mixture of pines, oaks and birches all lived in harmony, their trunks so gnarled that it was clear they had stood there for many a century, and would continue to stand for many more yet. The life-span of any creature was negligible compared to these great survivors, who had lived through countless disasters and still remained standing.

It was out of the shadow of ones of these trees that a hesitant figure emerged. One hoof at a time, he slowly stuck his head out into the light. His features blended in with the vegetation around him, disguising him for a few more seconds as he scented the air. Then he walked out into full view, standing on the warm ground around the lake that the trees had not claimed. Though horse-like in appearance, the stallion bore a crown of antlers upon his head, and a tail that looked remarkably like that of a deer adorned his rump. Fins lay along his spine, with a few adorning his calves and the back of his head.

His posture relaxed as he came to the conclusion that no one else was there. The location was safe, nothing would harm either him, or his companions. The murky-colored male turned his head back towards the trees. "Hey, guys! No one else is here, come on out." He called to his family, his ears twitching under the sun's warm rays. Though Ataro preferred the shade, not even he could resist such a pleasant afternoon.

[Jovi of Shadows]

A mare's ears twitched and then pricked at the sound of her brother's voice, and though she had expected to hear him all the same, the sudden end to the silence startled her. Often enough she found herself drifting off to enjoy their surroundings, as many times she or one of her family members had caught her doing so. It was easy for the kelpi cross to find such wonders in the world around them, and to marvel at the vast array of color that could be found just about anywhere she looked. For instance, if she turned her attention upward she could watch the soft flickering of the leaves and the splashes of golden sunlight that shimmer through. Or perhaps she had but to glance to either side of her and notice the variety of colorful vegetation and the splendid shapes of flowers that lined the forest floor.

On a day such as this, Onira Forestlace could spend her time observing the beauty of the land without restraint. That is, if she wasn't already in the company of her dearest family. Though she tried her best not to tune them out, she had found that the journey here had indeed been blessed with many vivid sights to be seen. It was only when her brother had called out to them that the mare realized what she was doing, and dipped her head in a bit of embarrassment. Oh goodness, I've done it again, she thought with a mental sigh. Now fully brought back to reality, Onira realized the meaning of her brother's words and couldn't help the small dance that came to her hooves as she paced forward, eager for their day to begin.

"No one at all?" she called back, surprised and with a hint of swelling excitement reaching her voice. Wanting to see for herself, the young mare rocked back to her haunches before springing forward in a lively lope out of the forest and to her brother's side. Unlike him, her tail with its length and muscular build was a hindrance above land and her movements were slightly exaggerated or drawn-out. That's not to say she hadn't learned to live with it, walking on land since foalhood and certainly helped to teach her to use its ungainly stature to her benefit. "So, it's ours for the day", she declared pleasantly, giving her brother a playful n** on the neck. Undoubtedly today would hold some of their great games to be played, as Onira often reveled in their time spent together at the lake.

[Syaoran-Puu]

Arden Forestlace shifted his attention from his family to the forest surrounding them with every step they took, to say he was protective of his family would be an understatement. The truth was Arden had never expected this to happen to him, a strange kelpie who had been abandoned by his own parents had travelled on his own for so long that the moment he had first met Enya stood in his mind. She was beauty personified, a gentle creature who didn't judge him and was even took in an interest in learning to move in his territory -the water. Their time together had seemed little absolute heaven, yet one day it had all changed.... for Enya had discovered she was pregnant. He smiled at the memory. She had panicked, worried about everything from eating well to the birth, to what their children would look like. At the time Arden had been more silent with his own thoughts, part of him had feared he would not be good enough due to having no concept of what parents really where. Yet the other part of him wanted it more than he could describe, wanted to become part of something strong and loving, and although he may only be a small part Arden was very proud of what had evolved around him.

Something in the forest creaked dragging his attention back to the present, his eyes snapped forward to see his son and daughter stood side by side simply enjoying the sight of the lake. This place had been a focal point as the children arrived and grew up. Arden and Enya had brought them here to play in the water, to experience the domain that was as much a part of them as it was Arden. Part of Arden had been shocked about how much of his kelpie blood had been passed on, his daughter Onira inheriting most of his features, and his son Ataro inheriting everything but his tail. They were true mixes of their parents, looking as much of a deer as a fish.

Arden moved to join his children, his blue speckled skin shining in the early morning sun. He shook his purple hair, causing it to dance and wave around him. He smiled at his children, "So....." He started, pretending to think about his upcoming challenge, he was sure that by now his children were expecting his response, "....I wonder if anyone can beat me today!" He chirped before kicking off with his back hooves and jumping towards the water. His hooves dragged up moist dirt spraying it around him before his front hooves crashed into the waters sleek surface sending water droplets to rain around him. The race that they usually underwent was a straight course to the other side of the lake and back. Arden would often let his children win, though as they had grown Onira had begun to show exceptional speed in the water providing much more of a challenge for her father.

[Yumitoko II]

Enya adoringly followed her spouse. Her attentions were always on two main subjects, either the forest she so lovingly adored or her family. Before her family if not a part of something a all she definitely saw herself as a part of the forest, even the colours of her pelt mirrored the colour of the trees and the undergrowth. She blended almost perfectly when she wanted in the still silence she was used to. It had always been the little things she had taken into consideration.

Enya saw her children as a blessing, her romance with Arden was not short-lived for it only brought them closer. Although in reality it was hard to bring up children they had managed, she had always thought Arden would take it in his stride and he did, although she wasn't too sure of her own mothering skills so indeed went to seek help of mothers old and new.

She inhaled the fresh spring air and looked up to the trees. Her eyes regarded the birds in their own nests and in those birds she saw her situation with Arden before the birth of their own children. Enya beamed and turned to Arden splashing his way into the water, his sleek tail sinking further into the water. In there he could always do the most amazing things, she always wished to be able to swim so she too could join him properly, she was getting there.

She giggled and turned her attentions to her children,"go on then", she ushered.
She knew she had no chance of beating him but it was always fun to see them try. Most often she'd sit back and watch but she thought it was time for action no matter how silly she looked.
She slowly waded through a shallow part of the bank and beamed almost looking for approval from Arden. She wasn't in it for racing because as sure as hell she knew she was slow but her excuse for that was endurance not speed. Her legs padded like a motor boat, for her to be able to swim a little was an encouraging peace of mind, although the slightest knock could send her belly-up.

[Jovi of Shadows]

Onira took it upon herself to scan the area once more, as if to make sure, for certain, that they were truly alone on this fine day. The idea was almost unreal to the sentimental young mare, as she remembered many a time when the lake had not been vacant of other visitors. Granted no one particular experience came to mind, as nothing she could remember had really gone wrong on those occasions, but having the lake to themselves almost seemed magical in a sense. To her, it felt as though it were secluded from the rest of the world: a ghost, a fading memory that only they were allowed to reach for. That brought a smile to the corner of her maw, as it threatened to play and dance around the entirety of her features, as if this were truly there own personal paradise. What could be more perfect? To this young mare of mixed blood, she had no burning desire to leave what she had here. Love, protection, engaging interactions and games; there was nothing more that she wanted from this world. Perhaps someday she'd meet a stallion of her own like her mother had, and maybe he'd sweep her off her hooves to steal her away to some unknown wonderland, but the kelpi cross did not entertain such thoughts just yet. For now, this was her present as much as her future.

Almost on cue her father seemed to burst from somewhere out of the corner of her eye, challenge them, and leap towards the water. Onira couldn't help the gasp that escaped her at its suddenness, but nonetheless her excitement boiled over. "I bet ALL of us can, Papa!" she teased, throwing a wink to her brother and a quick nuzzle to her mother as the cerynei mare wadded into the shallows. There was no hesitation for Onira when it came to rushing headlong into the lake after him. Of course, Onira took extra care to keep her head above water as she always did, even in this moment of great joy and with the spirit of fun gripping at her insides, she could not suppress the chilling terror of actually diving underneath the surface. Despite this fear, Onira had taken to water fairly well, using her muscular tail to propel her quickly as her hooves worked to keep her afloat. Granted, it probably slowed her down, but there was no way she'd succumb to diving. Even if her papa was in the water with her she was still a fair bit behind him in distance and would not go under unless he happened to be right there with her. Such was the nature of his daughter's untamed nightmare.

[Phail Ninja]

Giving the shadows one last wary look, the stallion cast his attention back to his family. There was his sister, lurching about with an odd yet familiar gait. Her tail made her a hindrance upon the ground, her hoof-steps thudding loudly upon the solid forest floor. Yet she was loving by nature, clinging on tightly to her family through thick and thin. Then there was his father. A strong, respectable stallion he was. Never had anyone cared for a family as much as he had, protecting them at all costs. And his mother, his dear, sweet mother. A kinder soul did not exist anywhere in the cosmos. Nothing could compare to her love.

His cold heart stirred warmly as he smiled at them. Ataro had not always been so secluded. There had been a time when he had been just as carefree, frolicking about as happily as a newborn foal. But experience had made the male wiser. As a headstrong colt, he had fallen in with the wrong crowd. They had tempted him away from his family, whispering dark poisons into his ears. He had regarded his parents with contempt, but only ever on the surface. Deep down, his heart had always been true.

But when his 'friends' grew worse, began to whisper about a mysterious powder that could make you powerful, the youth knew he had to get out. His father had taught him the dangers of a skinwalker, and he knew the horrors that corpse powder would bring. He escaped, barely, but ever since has been extremely wary, protecting his family at all costs from within the shadows. The omnibenevolent nature of his family welcomed him back with open arms, and he had never strayed since.

A sharp n** on the back of his neck brought his surroundings back to the forefront of his mind. A teasing glimmer flashed through his darkened eyes. True, he was cautious, but around his family a more colt-ish side of him often escaped. And deep down he was a trickster, loving both the art of teasing others and of fooling around. Turning his head and nuzzling his sister's flank affectionately, he grinned a challenge at his father.

Ataro had no hope of beating his father in the water. He had no muscular tail to propel him through the transparent liquid. But on the land was another matter. The stallion's Cerynei blood allowed him to lope agilely, overtaking all but his mother. That wouldn't help him now of course, his dad was already wading into the water, followed closely by his mum. Snorting, he galloped forwards, taking a flying leap into the deeper water by pushing off the ground with muscular legs. He couldn't beat his father, but perhaps he could overtake his sister. After all, she refused to dive, which only slowed her down.

[Syaoran-Puu]

Arden risked looking over his shoulder just the once at his family. He was proud to see his mate attempting to wade in the water with him, it made it tempting to slow and join her. Enya wasn't as confident as her children in the water having spent so much of her former life on land, but she wanted to learn, wanted to play and be as much a part of Arden's life in the water as he had become of hers on land. Of course Arden wasn't foolish enough to compare the too, he had always had the capability to walk on the land and to play all the games that Enya enjoyed... it had just taken this kind hearted mare to open him up to it.

A splash interrupted his thoughts as he turned his head to see his children catching up slowly but surely. Onira still seemed resistant to take advantage of her water skills, he suspected that it was the same nervous woodland nature that Enya possessed, a survival instinct of the Cerynei. His son seemed to embrace the water more despite his disadvantages within it. Arden smiled and focussed his attention on the path ahead. His powerful muscles rippled under the surface of his skin and the blue hue of his skin made him blend into the waters surface, making him practically invisible unless you knew he was there.

The tree was insight, and as he propelled himself through the water his mind drifted to some of their earlier adventures together. Enya had prepared a picnic collecting the favourite food of everyone along with a few additional treats, the couple had sat down to eat while their children played tag and frolicked in the sun. Then disaster had struck, Onira and Ataro had tripped, grazed knees and bumped heads all around... and for a strange reason Arden never felt as needed before, the two foals had bounded towards him, tears in their eyes. Arden wished his children still needed him in that way, still needed his guidance and reassurance, his warmth at night, his skills to keep them all safe and sound. But they had grown, had experiences all on their own -both good and dark- and no longer needed their father quite so much. That didn't mean that Arden wouldn't continue to be there for them.... perhaps it was time he and Enya should try again?

[Yumitoko II]

Enya paddled across the water keeping her head up with a smile. Nothing could demolish her pride for her family. There was always a strong sense of admiration for Arden when he moved himself through the water so masterfully, his sleek and powerful body could easily blend into the water, so much so that on the day they had met, she was staring into the water, straight at him and she could never tell well...not until his spines raised about the water. The came as quite a shock to her.

The rippling waves of water behind her family occasionally whipped up and splashed her in the face, but she didn't mind it at all. Every splash reminded her of the summer water fights they had, splishing-splashing-sploshing the water over each other just for fun and to cool each other under the summer's sun. The mare had always caught herself day dreaming of the past, things weren't always so perfect but she knew she had some significance in their lives. With age she feared it'd grow less and less but this was not true, it was only the independence they had gained as she had gain when she herself had departed from her family.


The water splashed her again and this time she was unprepared and swallowed a mouthful of water, the actions of nature had brought her attentions back for a reason, and the reason itself was to enjoy the present. Enya splashed on a little behind her children, she was slight and the strongest point her legs, neck, antlers and hooves. Unfortunately her tail didn't do much for her, it was only good for not getting caught up in anything when a predator decided to give her a chase, but was always on the land she had a great advantage but her son had always come up close behind, one day he'd overtake her, but she wasn't ready to let it happen yet, nor would she let the water phase her. She always regarded the fact that it must've been a big deal for Arden to move mainly onto land with her, he seemed to shrug it off, for his sake it was always a requirement to stay by somewhere they could both enjoy with a vast amount water and land...at least long term. Short trips and stays could be to anywhere fun, there were no limits for the two on their previous adventures.

She peddled wigging her whole body only catching up to her sons side and nosing him to tell him she's catching up slowly, this was only a small threat to him as he has soon sped up and soaked her through and through. She laughed to herself. Swimming was always a good way to get some exercise because it used most parts of the body, she was glad her children had always gotten to engage in activities like this. "I'm coming to get you!"
She yelled at the bunch ahead of her, she knew they'd laugh but it was all fun and games.

[Jovi of Shadows]

Though Onira had a good head start from her mother and brother, the splashing behind her alerted her of the evercoming presence. More than likely, it was Ataro. Often times they had head-to-head races as he was able to catch up to her every once in awhile and during those times she struggled to keep the lead. Sure she had the tail to get the job done, but the rest of her was occupied with the task of keeping herself above the water. She could remember one particular race they had as very young adults, just barely grown into their fins and still not as adept at swimming as their father. Even then they had challenged each other to see who could beat who, and in the begining Onira had the obvious advantage. It wasn't until she discovered the horrors of deep dives that her swimming began to be more eratic and choppy. To this day she couldn't quite remember what it was that had scared her so greatly that day, but the remnents of it still clung to her subconcious. She might have asked her parents what it was now that she couldn't recall, but something told her she wouldn't like the answer.

That aside, Onira still enjoyed competing with her brother when it came to swimming, and tried not to let her fears completely overtake her when it came to the water. With that in mind, she checked her position against her father's and determined that if she could just get a little quicker, she just might stand the chance of catching him. Maybe. Soon they'd reach far side of the lake and would need to turn back, in which case she hoped she could catch her father in the turn. Hearing her mother's voice behind her Onira couldn't help but giggle good-heartedly. "Eep! Anything but that!" she mock whinned as she made the attempt to go faster. With of powerful flick of her muscular tail the young mare jolted forward, almost flailing in her attempt.

[Phail Ninja]

Hooves sliced cleanly through the cool water as the stallion landed, his momentum slowed by the splashing liquid. Slowly, his foot sank until it made contact with the soft ground, his weight driving his hooves into the lake bed. But luckily his Cerynei blood made his bones lighter than some other species, and he didn't have a massive tail to lug about, so the effect was not too great. A chilled sensation struck the parts of him that were submerged as he took another bound, only just managing to clear himself over the surface of the water. Then he was in again, the liquid shrouding his shoulders like an invisible blanket.

Feeling a nudge on his side, he caught the brief flash of his mother's smiling face. "You can try, but you'll never beat me!" He called mockingly, before fixating his gaze upon his sister's thrashing form. Keeping above the water, he would have no hope. Her tail gave her a massive advantage. But if he dived, that completely turned the tables. Taking a deep breath (luckily he had acquired the lungs of his father, and could stay without oxygen for a good while provided he was underneath the water), he dunked his head beneath the water and churned his muscular legs furiously.

Only when the last crown of his antlers was fully underneath the surface did Ataro open his eyes. The view underwater was spectacular, the liquid so clean that he could see everything all the way on the other side of the lake with vivid clarity. The male shot forwards, the fins upon his back an immense help in both stabilizing his movements and propelling himself faster. Occasionally he darted to one side or another, either having to avoid an old tree trunk or the clinging tendrils of some unknown plant or another. With a grim determination, he kept at it, his eyes never leaving his sister's form. He was catching up fast.