12-01-2018, 04:39 PM
Water parted around his body in gentle ripples, soaking through the red flecked silver of his coat. The thick ropes of his mane and tail floated on the surface of the sea, hung with foam and strands of kelp. The sea had tightened its grip on him, making him surface only when necessary now that his home had shifted hands once more. It was dangerous, inhabited by a creature of voracious appetites. Home was perhaps not so home like anymore. Not when he felt the fear of violence hanging over his and his family's heads.
Inhaling a lungful of salt air, the powerfully built stallion sank to the sea bed, nostrils held shut against the invasion of water. It was faster for him to walk than swim, hooves sinking into the thick silt if he held still too long. His lips opened to accept a mouthful of brine. Sifting through the salt masked flavors, but he had grown used to deciphering the different palates. As distinctive as scent, the waters of his home held their own signifiers. Tastes of plankton and algae, mineral corals and the spore of certain fishes. The mouthful of water forced out between the serrations of his teeth, back into the living sea. A smile pulled at the blind man's lips. He had touched on a familiar flavor in his tasting, one that filled him with joy. Adria was home.
He stepped forward, following the slope of the floor as it climbed up the island's roots. There were no paths down here, none that would remain against the currents that commanded this submerged world. Sightless as he was, Hod produced instead a strange, steady sound. Somewhere between a whistle and a whicker, it swung away from him only to return when it encountered impediments. It worked on land as well, but seemed so much more effective when he dove beneath the waves. It led him home to where his family stood waiting.
With a strong upward leap, water sprayed outward dramatically as he broke the surface again amid a frothy breaker. Mist exhaled as he returned to breathing oxygen, hooves landing on the sand as he trotted from the bay into his cove. Whistling softly he focused on the soft outlines of his wife and children. Dripping gently on the sand he sang out a cry of greeting on approach. His muzzle brushed tenderly against the curve of Nyxa's shoulder before turning to lay a kiss on his eldest's brow. "Welcome home, daughter. We've missed you." His unguarded affection shown through in his voice and his manner.
The ruddy girl who stood by her dam's side looked on excitedly, taking in the appearances of her sister and sire. At her mother's admonition the child nodded enthusiastically. "Really? Yay! Swim wit' me, 'Dria!" She crowed, giggling as the older girl tousled the fluff of her red-gold forelock. Her amethyst eyes sparkled as their father drew near, prancing in place until he was close enough to be heard without yelling. Mama wouldn't let her go swimming if she was yelling. "Da! Da! 'Dria's here! 'Dria's hereeeeee!!" She didn't quite manage to keep her voice low, excitement throbbing through her slender frame. Glancing back toward her mother she grinned sheepishly, hoping she could still go swimming. Swimming was the best, and she'd never gone with her sister! Her really pretty, important big sister. This was the best day ever!
@[Calcifer]
Inhaling a lungful of salt air, the powerfully built stallion sank to the sea bed, nostrils held shut against the invasion of water. It was faster for him to walk than swim, hooves sinking into the thick silt if he held still too long. His lips opened to accept a mouthful of brine. Sifting through the salt masked flavors, but he had grown used to deciphering the different palates. As distinctive as scent, the waters of his home held their own signifiers. Tastes of plankton and algae, mineral corals and the spore of certain fishes. The mouthful of water forced out between the serrations of his teeth, back into the living sea. A smile pulled at the blind man's lips. He had touched on a familiar flavor in his tasting, one that filled him with joy. Adria was home.
He stepped forward, following the slope of the floor as it climbed up the island's roots. There were no paths down here, none that would remain against the currents that commanded this submerged world. Sightless as he was, Hod produced instead a strange, steady sound. Somewhere between a whistle and a whicker, it swung away from him only to return when it encountered impediments. It worked on land as well, but seemed so much more effective when he dove beneath the waves. It led him home to where his family stood waiting.
With a strong upward leap, water sprayed outward dramatically as he broke the surface again amid a frothy breaker. Mist exhaled as he returned to breathing oxygen, hooves landing on the sand as he trotted from the bay into his cove. Whistling softly he focused on the soft outlines of his wife and children. Dripping gently on the sand he sang out a cry of greeting on approach. His muzzle brushed tenderly against the curve of Nyxa's shoulder before turning to lay a kiss on his eldest's brow. "Welcome home, daughter. We've missed you." His unguarded affection shown through in his voice and his manner.
The ruddy girl who stood by her dam's side looked on excitedly, taking in the appearances of her sister and sire. At her mother's admonition the child nodded enthusiastically. "Really? Yay! Swim wit' me, 'Dria!" She crowed, giggling as the older girl tousled the fluff of her red-gold forelock. Her amethyst eyes sparkled as their father drew near, prancing in place until he was close enough to be heard without yelling. Mama wouldn't let her go swimming if she was yelling. "Da! Da! 'Dria's here! 'Dria's hereeeeee!!" She didn't quite manage to keep her voice low, excitement throbbing through her slender frame. Glancing back toward her mother she grinned sheepishly, hoping she could still go swimming. Swimming was the best, and she'd never gone with her sister! Her really pretty, important big sister. This was the best day ever!
@[Calcifer]