Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?

The Floating Key was peaceful and quiet, the gentle breeze made the leaves whisper and the ocean sang a song in a language only it could understand. Any Helovian would think this place came from another world after seeing what lay after the portal and this place was dangerous, unknown was dangerous. This place was a sanctuary to forget the horrors that had occured in Helovia. However this sanctuary's silence was broken by a loud playful shriek. Like a jet a blur of colors takes off down the beach splashing and kicking up water in its wake.

Rika isn't exactly sure how she had gotten here but the little filly was quick to get distracted. Rika kicked up salt water and reared her front legs to crash back down sending the warm water splashing onto her chest, the ball of energy would then take off in a fit of giggles through the sand, only to trip over her spindly legs and crash in the sand.

Sarika didn't know why Mama was so worried all the time this new place seemed amazing to the filly. There were odd things here, since entering through the portal the curly haired filly had changed however, the feathers growing from her mane and tail have turned ink black splotches of neon colors decorating them. Sarika wasn't complaining though. Sitting up from where she had fallen the blue eyed filly looked around and shook off the sand sticking to her dun coat. "Whats that!" she exclaimed.

Slowly crawling towards the ocean was a sea turtle, simply minding its buisiness. Sarika took off towards it, and unable to slow down, ran staright past it but made a round about. "What are you little fella?" she giggled and poked it gently with one hoof, "im Sarika! Wanna be friends?" The turtle of course didn't reply and the filly folded her ears back as offended as a young foal could be. It was harder to make friends than she thought.

@Volterra
So excited! Lol it'd be funny if he realizes she looks a lot like Astarot <3

 
Zafir followed the filly over to the island while Astarot made his own way. The dragon watched the girl silently as she bounced and ran in the warm sand. Scarlet eyes narrowed as the sun soaked into her dark blue scales chasing away the fear of the last day. She remembered the screams of the grieve stricken and the panic that had raced through the herd of equines. Then she remembered how some had been changed as they came through the portal. Astarot's sister had been cursed with several spider like eyes on her once pretty face. She gripped the branch she perched on gouging her pearly talons into the supple bark.

Finally she recalled the quest type thing her bonded had thrust upon him. He had to stay awake for three days to pass the test this wicked place had given him. She could tell it would not be an easy task, and it was only his first day without sleep. He had told her to rest, that one of them would need their wits about them in this twisted world. He was young and strong and she was sure the worst was still to come from not sleeping. Could he really stay up for three days,especially if he had to keep chasing after this girl.

Finally the stallion appeared walking calmly towards his darling daughter. He calls out to her his voice a warm boom his eyes shinning happily. Once he is near enough he chuckles at her attempts to befriend a sea turtle. "I don't think turtles really care to be friends with horses." He smiles and drops his head trying to gently nuzzle her soft neck. "Don't take it to hard. I tried to make friends with a whale once." He grinned playfully at his daughter his eyes flicking to the feathers in here hair. They were black and plastered with neon colors. Kaos had touched her as well it seemed.

"Where is your mother at sweetheart?" He turned his eyes back to meet her teal gaze. Once she answered he spoke again, "I understand the need to explore, but," He paused allowing some authority to touch his deep vocals, "You really should wonder off alone here. We have no idea what could be lurking about." As if on cue Zafir screeched careful to stay hidden in the trees. he watched his daughter wondering how she would take that before turning and trying to spot Zafir among the limbs. He was worried about his bonded. He could tell she wasn't feel very well, but she tried her best to hide it from him, but he could always tell. Sighing softly he turns his attention back to his daughter. He couldn't get over the fact that she looked so much like himself. She held his bony rip markings and light pelt. Her mane and tail were curly where his was wavy and thick. "Would you like to swim with me?" He smiles playfully his eyes sparkling as he lifts his hoof. Fast as lightning he strikes out at the water trying to splash the tiny girl before bounding into the water avalanche like laughter rolling from his lips.

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Talk
Words;; 532 Permission to PP Astarot knowing she is his daughter <3

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Distraction is key. When he is not searching for his dragon or caring for his family, the Indomitable is exploring this new and utterly bizarre land that he now calls home. There's so many unmapped regions of the Rift that it seems a crying shame not to discover them, and despite the warlord's dark mood, he can't help but have his interest piqued by the idea of heading into uncharted territory. A forest on an oddly floating island is his next port of call, and Vadir flies enthusiastically above him as he prowls through the unfamiliar trees. The golden queen has seemed extra cheerful of late, a direct mirror image to her bonded's borderline depression. Now that she is his only dragon, she has flourished, even if he resents her for every ounce of happiness she ekes out of her red brother's absence. Not a day goes by when Volterra doesn't miss Vérzés, but the feeling does not seem to be mutual. Vadir makes a perfunctory attempt to find him, yet he senses from her that she doesn't really wish to have to share her precious onyx titan once again. She likes him belonging to her and her alone, and so she explores the Rift with gusto and a cheer that Volterra simply cannot feel. It is the familiar odour of Astarot that draws the mammoth's attention today, and he shifts his path towards his son with Vadir in his wake. Volterra has remained a pillar of strength for his family, never letting them see how much Isopia's death has affected him; he stays strong for them, and puts them first. It doesn't matter that he's not had time to grieve yet, or indeed even think about his lover's untimely demise, and it's only the more observant of his children that may notice how his false smiles never quite reach his eyes. To his surprise, Astarot is not alone. There's a filly with him, and the way he's talking to her....Volterra's brow furrows and he steps closer, moving from the shadows into the light to announce his presence. "Astarot," he rumbles, but his attention is mostly on the filly. She's very young, and she has wings - aside from those, though, she could be Astarot's double. Her resemblance to him, and the soft way he speaks to her, puts two and two together in the stallion's mind and he allows his lower jaw to droop slightly. It hadn't crossed his mind that his older children would soon start having foals of their own. The idea of being a grandfather at his age.... Vadir twists upside down, laughing heartily. "You old," she croons. Volterra frowns and pins his ears up at her, because he's a stallion in the prime of his life - his massive size, thick neck with crest and his bulging muscles are not marred by a single grey hair, although he has developed the smallest hint of a beard beneath his chin. He's far from old, but the idea that he's now a grandfather certainly makes him feel old. "And who is this?" He looks curiously at the filly whilst Vadir lands heavily on his back, eyeing her as well. She's had her own taste of parenthood recently, although Volterra doesn't know the details - it's made her more interested in his family, and her piercing crimson gaze bores into the youngster as her massive frame shifts lazily upon his withers.

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Automatically forgetting the sea turtle Sarika's bright blue eyes grew wide as she heard her father's voice. "Daddy!" she exclaimed excitedly, giggling when he nuzzles her neck. "I don't need it to be my friend cause you're here!" ever since meeting him Sarika had been obsessed with her father, she loved him, and had drilled her mother endlessly with questions about him. When questioned about where her mother was the filly looked at the sand and dragged a petite hoof around in the sand. Clearly unable to look Astarot in the eyes. "I snuck away while she was sleeping...Momma does that a lot when she's sad" her tone was quiet and sad. "But you're here now so its okay!" she cheers up instantly in a way only a foal can do with her eyes sparkling happily.

"I don't know how to swim" she sighed but laughed when Astarot splashed her with water. Rearing the small filly went splashing into the water, but stayed where she could touch. All fun was gone when the giant dark beast of a man spoke. Sarika froze with wide distrusting eyes, and in a single moment, ran behind her father's back legs because in her eyes Daddy is invincible and he can do absolutely anything.

Sarika gains some courage and walks underneath her father's belly to stand in between his front legs. Sarika had to look up, up, up, up, uuuuuup at the dark stranger because he was tall, yes sir! "Daddy?" Sarika looks up at her father for reassurance. To make sure it was safe to introduce herself.

@Astarot
@Volterra

 
His heart swelled to almost bursting point at the joy in her blue eyes and sweet voice. "I'll always be your friend when you need me." He watched her squirm under his question and he nodded inwardly. She wasn't in trouble, but she had to realize how dangerous it was to wonder off alone. Ears pricked slightly as she spoke dragging her hoof in the sand. "It's okay love, your mother is going through a lot right now. How about next time you go to wonder off, you wake her up and let her know. Deal?" His smile was soft and warm as he offered his right front hoof, like a handshake.

His booming laugh rolled like thunder form his chest, "I can teach you how, but you have to trust me." He chuckled again as she reared and splashed around him. Zafir called out letting him know someone was approaching, 'Volterra.' Her voice was a warm coo in his head and he relaxed instantly allowing his dark father to watch them play. A slight trickle of fear eased it's way into his mind what was he going to say about him being a grandfather? Would he not see the power his filly held in her youthful body? He swallowed hard trying to keep his face light and playful as he turned to watch his daughter scamper behind his large body.

'At least she knows I'll protector her.' He didn't speak to her just turned to look at his father, "Hello Apa." He watched as the mammoths jaw dropped slightly his scarlet eyes on his daughter. Zafir shoots from the trees laughing at Vadir's words as well. She is careful to show the golden queen the respect she deserves, flying lower than her and crooning softly. Her bonded attention stays on his father his muscles slightly tense. He is sure the great man would never harm a child, especially his own flesh and blood, but he is not a child.

As his winged daughter steps under his front legs he smiles warmly, "It's alright love, you can come out." He turns his attention and boldly meets his father's gaze, "This is my daughter, Sarika." He waits quietly, wondering how he will take the words. It would take a fool not to notice how the two are related, and Volterra is no fool. He will have spotted the father daughter blood in a heart beat. Sure Astarot had played with many foals in his day, but there was something different here. He glanced down at his daughter his eyes softening, "Go and say hello to your nagyapa, grandfather." He is still trying to teach her the language of their powerful family, and saying the normal word afterwards seems to help. "Do not forgot to say hello to his dragon, she is a queen of her kind as Volterra is king of his." His eyes glow and his chest swells with pride as he glances once at his powerful father before turning back to his dunskin daughter.

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Talk
Words;; 505 @Volterra @Sarika

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The filly immediately dives behind Astarot's legs, and the titan is forced to hide a smile as he thinks of his own children doing similar things when they were young. He wants to tell her that she needn't worry, that he is not the sort of man to ever harm a child, but he doesn't want to take that sense of fear away from her. At her age, in this strange land, it's best for her to be wary, best for her to use her father as a pillar of strength the same way Volterra is for his almighty brood. As she ghosts underneath Astarot and peers up at him, he does try to plaster on a reassuring smile, but it's hard to smooth those stern, rugged features of his into anything less than fearsome. Vadir twirls her tail in subtle appreciation of the blue dragon's submission, but otherwise shows no reaction to her surroundings save for those eyes of hers which bore relentlessly into the filly. Maybe she's showing more interest in his descendants now because she has her own family, and is trying to pick up tips. Volterra doubts it, though. More likely she's simply hunting for weaknesses to mock and exploit. It also does not escape the great warlord's attention that Astarot stiffens, tensing in preparation to protect his daughter; it is met with a look of approval from the Indomitable, and any fears that his son may be a poor father are quickly extinguished. Astarot seems protective, loving and attentive, all things that demonstrate his ability as a sire. "Congratulations, Astarot. You will make a fine father." That thick, rumbling voice of his is soft as he seeks to touch his nose to his son's neck, a gesture of mutual respect and true delight for Astarot's new family. In these hard, troubled times, it's sights like this that warm the cockles of his dead heart. Then, the kindly expression on his face turns into something akin to mischief. "And congratulations on bedding a woman - you truly are my son." He flashes a grin, trying to keep his voice low and away from Sarika's innocent young ears. Astarot introduces the girl and his words cause a swell of pride in Volterra's stomach, not to mention a visible preen from Vadir. "Hello, Sarika," he rumbles, lowering his great skull to try and blow gently into her nostrils in greeting.

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@Sarika

Any fear, any doubt that was squirming in the frail creatures chest evaporated as her father, her Apa tells her this man won't hurt her. Rika looks up at her Apa once more before taking tiny steps towards the mountain of a man. Curls bouncing she looks up at Volterra "Nag-Nagypa?" she tried in the words her Apa taught her. The words only meant for adults flew right over her head - literally - it was hard being the smallest in the room.

As the giant man lowered his head to Sarika's level the filly's blue eyes grew large and round. Yet she wasn't afraid anymore, this was her family, "hi Nagyapa!" she giggled and kissed the soft velvet of his nose. However the word 'Nagyapa' came out as 'Nagpa' but the little thing tried her best. Sarika could hardly stand correctly.

With front legs close together and back legs spread apart for stable support the little filly looked up at her grandfather's dragon. It scared her how the dragon stared right at her, but being only a few weeks old that fear was chased away, with a sudden realization. Flagging her tail she looked back at Astarot excitedly. "Apa! Apa! She looks like Zafir!" she said meaning they were both dragons...the filly didn't know what a dragon was though. Suddenly remembering herself Sarika lowered her head and spread her useless wings in a bow to the dragoness but then stumbled (her body very unstable) right into her grandfather's leg.

The blow knocked Sarika on her rump and scared her more than anything. Tears pooled threatening to spill over but Sarika shook her head and stood up instead. The filly was no baby, she was tough! "Im okay!" she cheered.

@Astarot
@Volterra
Are you both alright with me bringing Sabia in?

 
He watches his father silently his eyes hiding his worry. He wants to know what he thinks of his granddaughter, but he knows now is not the time to ask. If he said anything wrong, which he doubted, a fight would surely ensue. He would not stand for negative words against his child and his heart blazed with unbridled anger for a moment before to was flickered out. He had no reason to feel like that, not yet anyway. Zafir smirks softly and sends her smugness to Astarot as Vadir simply acknowledges her. She had witnessed the golden queen attacking others first hand and it made her feel special to not be one of her victims. 'Try and stay that way.' he told his blue dragoness.

His attention shifts quickly back to his warlord father as his body stiffens slightly. He catches the look of approval fall over his white face and scarlet eyes, and his worry slides away. He couldn't help the fear that pulsed through his body at the protectiveness sweeping through him. He had worried that his father would take offense and be angry with him. Instead he seemed happy by his eagerness to stand up for the bone marked girl.

As he sweeps his gaze down at her his dual eyes soften his heart flipping with to many emotions to name. Deep words slip into the warm air drawing his attention back. "Thank you Apa, I will do my best. With such a large family I think she will be well taken care of." He smiled softly and tried to return his father's warm touch as relive floods through him. If he had Volterra's acceptance he felt sure he would be a good father. He chuckles deeply at the last part of his praise. 'Not the ones I want though.' He thinks silently and Zafir crows her laughter at the bitter thought.

His gaze shifts down as the filly steps from under him. He watches her beaming proudly as she tries out the word he just taught her. It was a good attempt, and could only get better with time. he fights back a chuckle at her next attempt his eyes sparkling with his dark glee as he looks sideways at his father. Zafir noticed the worry in the girl and carefully landed beside her young self appointed charge. She cooed softly at the girl trying to show her she was save. Zafir about lost it when the girl said the queen looked like her. Astarot gaped his jaw opening wordlessly. His looked towards his Apa worry flashing in his eyes. He hopped Vadir wouldn't take that as an insult, but he couldn't do anything about it now.

He hopped her clumsy bow would be enough to appease the queen. He stepped forward only to pause as Rika fell over. He watched her wondering how she would react to hitting the ground. Most of his senses yelled for him to step forward and help her up, but some deep instinct told him to wait. If she had hurt herself he would be there in a heart beat, other wise he would allow her to rise on her own. The tears filling her pretty blue eyes broke his heart, but he remained still muscles quivering with the effort. When she spoke he relaxed instantly a giant sigh blowing from his muzzle. "That's my girl." His voice was deep and warm as he smiled warmly. "Come stand back up, maybe we can get Nagyapa to help teach you to swim." He grinned his skull marked head lowered and flashing playfully at his Apa. The thought of the massive black stallion playing amused him.

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Words;; 615 @Sarika @Volterra

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The kiss on his nose makes a sneeze well up inside it, and he quickly recoils his head as he enters into a sudden and violent sneezing fit. By the time it's over, his eyes are watering, but he's chuckling a deep, fatherly chuckle. The girl is sweet and feisty too, both good signs that she will grow up strong and able. Vadir approves of the gesture of respect the filly shows, and a plume of smoke emanates from her nostrils as she stares at the youngling. "Hatchlings of your species so....ungainly. Dragon hatchlings can hunt almost right away." The comment is derisory, but Volterra can feel that his golden queen doesn't entirely dislike his grand brood. They are hers by extent, and she is like a fierce mother to them all. Vadir flares her wings and issues a rumble of displeasure as the filly compares her to Zafir - being compared to a mere blue, even an inoffensive and respectful one, is a high insult and she bristles visibly. However, a stern word from Volterra calms her, and she settles back down whilst silently seething. Now is not the time for her to act....well, like Vadir, and Volterra is grateful that she's feeling in a good enough mood to obey him. The girl tumbles over, and as Zafir rushes to help her Volterra fears for a second that Astarot will, too. That is not his way of working - provided no real harm is done, it's best for a child to learn to rise by themselves, helping to breed a sense of defiance into them. It is a good sign that Astarot leaves her to stand by herself, and the beast dips his head in silent approval to his son. Astarot's suggestion makes the leviathan's head snap towards him in alarm. "Swim?" His eyes boggle at the younger male. Volterra is sturdy and strong, but swimming is not his favourite activity. He doesn't like not knowing what is beneath him, especially here where all manner of nastiness resides beneath the surface. Still, this is his granddaughter he's talking about. With everything the giant man has lost, the least he can do is humour what he has left. After a fierce internal battle, Volterra finally nods. "A swim sounds lovely," he says through gritted teeth.

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@Sarika I'm good with that!