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 Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 9:18 am
 The sun sat high as Aquitaine made her way down to the waters edge. She loved the water, even though she didn't have a smidgen of aquatic blood in her, she just loved it. Her hooves came to a stop not far from the water, eyes surveying the blue hued liquid. It was important to know if the water was safe before entering it, something her parents had taught her and her brothers to read. If the waves were too high or too rapid then it was not safe. Today the water was calm, only the odd ripple crossed it's surface as wind blew gently threw the area. It would be perfect conditions to have some fun and maybe do a bit of swimming. She wouldn't go too far since the water could change quickly and pull her too far out, so she would stay close enough to the shore that she could get out in a hurry if needed.
Her parents weren't too far away, close enough that she could call out for help if needed but far enough away that she had a bit of freedom. Not like Aquitaine was planning to run off on some grand foal adventure, no she liked it here with her small family so that's where she would stay. With a running start Aquitaine entered the water. Jumping this way and that, tossing her head, it was great to let loose. Running and jumping in the water also made her legs strong, stronger than they would become simply running on the land. This was important for becoming a knight like her father was. Aquitaine glanced towards where her parents were, she loved them both equally yet she knew that she was daddy's little princess and so often gravitated to her father for that reason alone. She knew she could get anything she wanted from him because of that, and while she wouldn't take advantage of that, it was also good to know some days.
Turning her attention back to the water Aquitaine lowered her head a bit. Sometimes, when the water was still like this, one could find all manner of seashells and on occasion small colorful fish would swim close to shore. If she stood still long enough they may even swim around her legs if they were around.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:54 pm
Fortunately for Hadrian, he had been proved wrong.
Now, older, wiser, he found himself with a loving mate named Zara. She was the most beautiful female he'd ever laid eyes upon, and had him wrapped around her hoof. There wasn't anything he wouldn't give to her, and the blue eyed male knew without a doubt that her love was as true as his own. They complimented one another, she the princess, he the prince, and Hadrian thanked the spirits for granting him such joy.
Most recently though, while his love for Zara was strong, he'd only lately discovered the love of being a parent. Three little foals had been born of them, two strapping sons, and a sweet little daughter. If Hadiran had been told he'd be knight-debonair turned family-man so swiftly, he might have laughed. While he was a lover of love, to have a mate and children wasn't something he'd planned on happening quite so soon.
But it had, and Hadrian wouldn't have changed it for the world. The adoration he found growing within him everytime he saw his mate and children practically radiated around him. Even though his foals had . . . well. . . inherited some unusual traits, after the initial surprise at their birth, the unicorn male couldn't see them being any other way. So what if their colors were slightly off, and they had a few more horns than a typical unicorn -- it didn't matter. They were his children, and he would do them right.
It didn't matter that Aurelian seemed to constantly bleed, or his other son was without part of his tail. They were his children, and he found them the most precious gift of them all. He had high hopes for each of them, and knew without a doubt that they would far surpass him in their endeavors. There was nothing they couldn't do . . . and he'd support each and every one of them as best he was able.
Lingering on the sandy shore with his mate, his two sons whisked away by his own parents come down for a visit from the hills, life near the sea was quiet. They had ample sunshine, the sea breezes, and the waves to serenade them at night. The seaside gave them everything they wished and needed to survive, it was their home, their kingdom.
Glancing over his shoulder, the blue stallion made sure to keep a watchful eye on his daughter. While he loved all his children, he couldn't help but spoil Aquitaine the most. He was proud of his sons, and adored each foal equally, but his daughtere needed just a little extra guidance and attention. She was young, after all, and Hadrian wasn't exactly sure how to handle a filly. His own sister had been more of a tomboy, and his mother headstrong and independent. So how would Aquitaine fare?
Seeing her splashing around in the waves, the stallion couldn't help but remove himself from his beloved and bridge the distance between the blue filly and himself. He made sure to walk slow, admiring a few in-tact shells brought up from the ocean floor during the high tide, and did his best to not push himself too much in to Aquitaine's space. His children were getting old enough to allow themselves a little independance, and he didn't want to crowd her. . .
So he kept his distance, granting her the power to invite him over when she felt ready. Even if she kept to herself splashing in the water, he wanted to be there just in case. . . .The ocean was a fickle thing, after all, even on such quiet days.
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 7:14 pm
Today it seemed was one of those that the small fish did not wish to play amongst the shallow waters. For no matter how long Aquitaine stood still there was no sign up them. A frown crossed her lips for only the shortest of moments. She wouldn't let the lack of fish get her down. There were plenty of other fun and interesting things to do today. At the moment she went back to simply splashing about the water. Though she moved a bit further into the water, so it was higher upon her legs and therefore created more resistance to her movements. With her knightly training as well as dancing being a large part of her life she wanted to be as strong as possible. The idea that females weren't typically knights never even crossed her mind. Anyone could be whatever they wanted to be if they put their minds to it. She had fully decided what she wanted to be, but that wasn't important, right now she did the two things her parents did and would figure things out sooner or later.
Splash. Splash. SPLASH! Aquitaine kicked her front legs out, much like how she and her brothers did during their play or mock fighting. Only instead of a quick and smooth strike hers was more slow and a bit wobbly. The resistance of the water ensured she put every bit of her muscle into it, yet kept her from kicking out as hard as she could had she been on dry land. This was all tiring, yet important, work. Even if she didn't want to be a dancer or a knight keeping ones body in good shape was important no matter what. Even in a safe and sheltered area like this danger could come creeping in, and those not in good condition would fall easy prey. Of course there was little chance anything would come sneaking out of the bushes today trying to snatch her away. Still...Aquitaine cast a quick glance towards the far off trees just to be certain. In doing so she saw her father up on the beach. An instant and large smile crossed her lips as she ran as fast as the water would allow her towards the sand.
"Daddy!" She cried out, love and joy filling her voice. Now free from the water the blue filly was able to run quite swiftly, her tiny hoof prints dotting the sand as water dripped from her hide. Skidding to a stop she nuzzled her nose into his neck. "Did you see me out there? I was trying to practice!" Both her parents were proud of what her and her brothers did and whenever they practiced what had been taught to him, but Aquitaine was fairly certain her father would be even more proud of her in this very moment.
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Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 5:00 pm
Hadrian knew that he needed to cherish every moment he could with his young family. Though his foals were still very young, they had already grown so much since their birth. Every day had them stepping closer and closer to independence, and while he wasn't afraid of age, he knew foal hood would be over before it even started.
They had their entire lives to be adults. . .it was their youth that would be temporary. So Hadrian and Zara had decided to do their best to enjoy every day and try to not take it for granted. Certainly raising three spunky foals was a bit frustrating and stressful, but Hadrian wouldn't change it for the world.
As his young daughter splashed in the ocean waves, he couldn't help but be grateful for the spirits blessing him with so much joy. A beautiful and loving mate, and now three children he could be proud of! Sure, they were different looking, but they were beautiful to him. His sons were already striving for greatness, sparring with one another, competing, practicing. . . and even his little daughter was training in the ocean waves!
What he wouldn't give to his family. . . .
His fond thoughts were quickly replaced by good mirth and amusement as Aquitaine turned and spotted him. How quickly she smiled and forgot all about her training, rushing up to the shore with a delicate grace only a foal could obtain. Granted, she was dripping wet and her hooves coated with sand, but he couldn't resist her affection. His little daughter had him wrapped around her hoof completely . . . It was a trait, he assumed, she had unknowingly inherited from her mother.
"Well if it isn't my little princess!" He cooed, his blue eyes bright with mirth. Leaning down, he gently nuzzled her neck and shoulder, careful of his horn (and her own little spikes). Tail wagging slowly but happily behind him, he gave an approving nod as she questioned him. "I did indeed see the way you were training in the ocean. . . Soon you'll be strong enough to take me down."
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Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 4:27 pm
Aquitaine giggled and cooed at her fathers attention. She knew he would have been proud of her no matter what she had been doing just moments before, be in rolling in the mud or composing a song, Hadrian would have been thrilled. It was easy to impress father, and mother for that matter, but father seemed to have that slight extra bit for him. But she was his princess after all. Pulling her head back, once again careful of where her horns were Aquitaine looked up at her father with a smile on her lips and shinning in her eyes. "Oh no daddy, I could never beat you. Your far too strong." In her mind, her father was the strongest, smartest and bravest Soquili out there, much like how her mother was the most beautiful, talented and intelligent female. Her parents were the world to her, and her brothers were a part of it too, but to Aquitaine her parents were more important. For they would teach her things that her brothers would need to learn first as well. And it was learning that Aquitaine loved.
"Daddy can we do something together? Just the two of us?" She knew she didn't need to give him a pleading look, for if she asked for something then her father would do or get it. But just to be certain and because she knew it would only help her case she added that pleading look to her arsenal. "I don't care what we do, I would just like to do something special." Special was in a way simply spending time with one of her parents alone and since it had been her father to check on her and not her mother than at this moment she wanted special time with him. Later she would make sure to get some special alone time with her mother.
The sound of gentle waves lapping at the beach filled in the background as well as a few seagulls flying overhead. Glancing at the water Aquitaine sighed wishfully. "Daddy," She began pulling her eyes away from the water. "Do you think I will ever meet one of the Soquili that live in the water? I would sure like to see one some day?" While she had been told of those that made their home in rivers, lakes and the ocean she had yet to see any of them. Perhaps they didn't come this close to the shore. But if that was the case how or when would she see one.
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Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 1:10 pm
Hadrian couldn't help but puff out his chest a bit in pride as his daughter complimented him on his strength. While he knew how to hold his own, he was knowledgeable enough to know that there were many out there that could definitely give him trouble. Still, his little daughter didn't need to be told of the realities of the world -- not quite at this young an age. So he'd take her compliment with pride, as well as amazement, that one so small could have so much faith and love for him.
As Aquitaine looked up at him, eyes pleading to do something, just the two of them, Hadrian absolutely melted. Just as his daughter looked up at him in love ,he was wrapped quite firmly around her hoof. There wasn't anything he wouldn't give his children or do to protect them. They were his joy, outside of Zara, and it amazed him that he could be so attached to such a new life. Though his children had taken on a different appearance, and though they honestly didn't look entirely as if they were related, that didn't mean a damned thing -- they WERE his children, he knew, and he loved each one dearly.
"Of course we can, Princess," he nodded in affirmation. Canting his head a bit, he considered what they might be able to do together. He liked to include his entire family in activities, but one-on-one time was always pleasant and helped strengthen bonds. "We could always look for shells on the beach, and bring some home for your mother and grand-mother. You know how much they like them." Besides, it was something simple, something easy, and something that they could bond over. She was still awfully young, and while he would be happy to take her on more adventurous settings one-on-one when she grew, for now, he wanted to play it safe.
It was then that Aquitaine questioned whether or not she would see some sort of mer soq, or kelpie. His ears pricked with surprise and he looked out over the oceans waters, their vast, endlessness stretching out to kiss the sky on the horizon. "I hope you might be able too, sweetie," he agreed, taking a few steps closer to the waters edge. He wrapped his tail loosely about Aquitaine, encourage her to follow. "I've yet to meet one, though I've heard many stories of their kind. And when I was a colt, a litle older than you, I awoke one night to find hoof prints coming from the water up the beach that dawn. I couldn't say for sure it was one of them, but I like to believe."
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Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:22 pm
Aquitaine knew her father would never say no to some one on one time. Still, in those few moments before he answered she was nearly dying to know his answer and when it came she was not disappointing. A smile grew on her lips that widened as he called her Princess. She loved being called Princess. Now with his answer given Aquitaine waited patiently as her father thought over what activity they could do just the two of them. She knew that no matter what he picked it would be fun, as in the end it meant getting to spend time with him without her sometimes rowdy brothers drawing away attention from her. Yes she loved her brothers with all her heart but some days they were just too loud, rambunctious and bothersome to deal with. Boys would be boys, but if she could get time away from them then Aquitaine would take it. Later she would play with them, playing whatever game them chose. For now it was all about daddy.
Mention of looking for shells made her head snap up in excitement. She loved looking for shells and knowing that her mother and grandmother loved receiving them it made this all the more special. Plus, Aquitaine enjoyed her time on the beach, the gentle lapping of the waves, the soft sand beneath her hooves even the seagulls that made a constant ruckus as they rode the air currents looking for food, every last bit of this she loved. Nodding her head enthusiastically Aquitaine glanced at the beach around them. "I think we could find some nice ones to bring back to them." And perhaps one or two to keep for herself. Maybe some for her brothers as well, though she wasn't entirely certain they would appreciate them as much as her mother and grandmother would. Either way, they would have their work cut out finding enough shells to supply the whole family with at least one each.
Before she took a step to start her shell hunting journey her father spoke a time when he had seen hoof print coming out of the water. With the gaze slowly turning towards the water Aquitaine imagines just what it would be like to stumble upon something like that. Thanks to a vivid imagination Aquitaine envisioned hoof prints coming out of the water, up along the sand and disappearing into the grass. Her gaze floated over the path of these imagined hoof prints and a shudder ran down her back in a mix of excitement and fear. What did those water Soquili do out on land? How long could they stay out here before having to return to the water. Giving her head a light shake Aquitaine turned her eyes back to her father, his presence calmed her nerves over what could possibly be lurking out in the water unseen to them. "Were you scared when you saw them?" Seeing tracks but not the animal who caused them could be scary depending on what made the tracks. Then thinking on their planned activity of shell hunting she added. "Do you think they will mind us taking the shells? They were a part of the water at one point weren't they?" The last thing she wanted to have happen was to have some angry water dwelling Soquili rise up from the waves because they had taken their shells. Another shiver ran down her spine and she took a step closer to her father.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 9:16 pm
Hadrian couldn't help but be delighted by his daughters reaction to his suggestion. Sometimes it amazed him that he had been blessed with such a family; and while his children certainly didn't look much related to Zara or himself, they were, without a doubt, his entire world. The blue coated stallion gave a small chuckle as he leaned over, nuzzling his head tenderly against his daughters before giving a small shake of his head.
"I wasn't afraid when I saw them. At first I thought them to be, perhaps, a guest visiting from the beach. But this is our home, and we knew no one had been visiting. Furthermore, there were . . . other prints . . . like the tip of a tail that would brush against the sand. Peculiar prints, really. Your grandfather told me it might have been a kelpie, and though I kept an eye out for it, I never saw such a thing." He chuckled some, nosing Aquitaine so she might lead them on their hunt for seashells along the shore.
When she questioned whether or not they might mind taking the shells, Hadrian gave another little chuckle. She was too adorable. While Hadrian adored all of his children, and was terribly proud of his sons, there was just a different sort of love for a father to his daughter. She was certainly a lovely mix of her mother, with a sharp mind and inquisitiveness that took him back to his foalhood days. "The ocean is a plentiful mistress. We'll take only what we need, what has been, thus far, discarded and leave the rest to others. Surely those of the sea might not object such a thing, right?" Life lessons, neatly wrapped in a father-daughter bonding experience. These were the days though. . . . someday his children would be too big to spend such moments witht them; someday, it would be Zara and him again, without the pitter-patter of cloven hooves underneath.
"We'll be able to share the gifts of the water with those we love; and we'll be sure to care for the ocean and beach, to protect the animals and other creatures that also make it their home. It's a fair trade off, I think." Life was all about give and take, and so long as there was balance and fairness, it worked out well.
((Sorry for the short post! I figured if I could just get past this reply, it might reinspire my muse. xD ))
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2012 10:13 am
Aquitaine smiled up at her father as he recounted more details about the hoof prints he had seen on the beach as a foal. The fact that he hadn't been afraid made her so proud of him. She wasn't sure if put in that same situation that she would find the same courage as her father, no she was almost certain that she would be afraid. Mainly from the unknown. There was so much of this world that she didn't know about, not that her parents kept her in the dark, but there was only so much they could teach her at a time. And until she actually saw a Kelpie, though she knew what they looked like, she would see them as a sort of scary water monster. Good thing daddy was here to protect her should one of those creatures decide to stride up onto the beach today.
At her fathers nudge she took a few steps down the beach, but she glancing back at him as he explained things. So the ocean and those who lived within it's boundaries would not be mad if they took shells from the beach. The blue filly gave an audible sigh of relief. She would have felt terrible if she was taking something that belonged to someone else without knowing. "That makes me happy daddy. I'm glad the ocean shares it's treasures with us." She paused for a moment, casting a glance at the water before them. "I wish I could give the ocean something to thank her for all the shells she gives us." But what could she give to such a large and impressive entity?
With a shake of her head Aquitaine refocused on the task at hand. There were plenty of shells to be found on the beach and so letting out a happy whinny she trotted down the beach, casting her eyes at the sand. She passed several shells, ones that were too small or broken. Then she saw it. The perfect shell and it was just ahead. "Daddy look!" She called back to her father and hurried to go pick it up. The shell was indeed large, it's surface a cream color with darker spots and stripes. After a moment of struggling she managed to get a grip on it and triumphantly lifted it up to show her father. That was when she saw something coming out of the end of the shell. First a few long bits and then to Aquitaine's shock and horror a claw! Before the creature could fully emerge the filly let out a scream, that was half muffled but the shell before it fell from her mouth, bounced twice on the sand before rolling to a stop. Taking a few quick steps back towards her father Aquitaine's poor heart was racing. A moment later the crab emerged once more from the shell and began scuttling across the sand. As the terror of the event began to slip away Aquitaine looked up at her father with a new bit of fear. "Do you think I hurt it?" She would feel terrible if the crab got hurt because of her sudden actions. But she hadn't expected to find a shell with anything living inside it so seeing that claw come out of it had frightened her to the point of dropping it without thought.
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