Redhawk Caldera AQUACULTURE
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Ooc — Stevie
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#26
Finley, in a move that was not at all very typical of her, was quite late to the party.  She blamed her stomach of course, which at that point was still not being her best friend.  It felt a bit better than it had in days, however - a phenomenon she totally blamed on Elwood and his healing cuddles - and she was definitely sick as hell of laying in her den all day being useless.  


And so, she ventured out into the world.  Slowly, of course, and not without more than one or two or five stops along the way where she had nearly tossed her cookies all over again.  But, in the end Finley survived, and made it to the lakeside just in time to watch the kids exploring the water with their buddies.  With a smile, the Blackthorn stepped quietly up to her sister's side.  She nudged Tiger gently with her nose to let her know that she was there, but quickly shook her head to communicate that she shouldn't say anything.  She didn't want the lesson to be interrupted on her behalf, which really was a testament to how sickly she was feeling because she otherwise would've burst onto the scene in a blaze of glory.

Fin's gaze shifted across the little gathering and landed finally on Elwood and little Ninja.  It was this pair that she watched ever so tenderly as she sank down onto her belly upon the shore, a soft smile upon her lips.  The water swimming around her stomach was actually rather comforting, and so she was content to lie there and simply watch as her lover instructed her beloved little nephew while her heart throbbed in her chest.
gubraithian fire
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Ooc — Kat
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#27
Wildfire squeaked when the droplets of water hit her back. She shot Peregrine a look of reproof, then smiled as she turned back toward her mother. Fox led the way into the water and Wildfire waded in after her. It was cold! The puppy found herself arching her back to avoid letting the water touch her belly. It lapped around her legs. She wiggled her toes and found her paws adjusting to the water's temperature. She eased forward, squeaking and gasping as the water finally licked at her tummy with its ice cold tongue.

The child was ignorant to what was happening behind and on either side of her. She kept her amber gaze fixed on her mother, who coaxed her to come out farther. The puppy looked perplexed when Fox said the water would hold her up, though the next instant she was marveling when that was exactly what happened. She felt herself floating for the very first time (since escaping Fox's womb, anyway), her little toes suddenly losing contact with the lake bottom.

"Mama..." Wildfire cried in an uncertain voice. She couldn't decide what to think. She felt so disoriented! Luckily, instincts began to kick into gear, causing her to start paddling her legs to stay afloat before she could even begin to sink. In this way, she avoided getting a mouthful of water or any of the other unpleasant side effects of drowning.

"Mama!" she cried again, her tone entirely different this time. "Look at me! I'm swimmin'!" she crowed. She began to curve to the left—perhaps her right legs were stronger—and she spotted Finley on the shore. "Aunt Flea, look! I swimmin'!" she screeched in excitement.
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Ooc — Chelsie
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#28
The party began, and with a roar of excitement, Nightjar charged the Caldera's lake. He splashed loudly into the shallows, squealing when the cold water shocked his nerves, but stopped when Elwood told him just his toes. He glanced down. The water was up to his elbows by now, but that was what "toes" meant, right? He giggled loudly when his godfather sent a wave of water his way, and responded by rearing in the water and smashing his paws against it, producing a much lesser wave.

Wildfire's excited cries drew his attention. She and Fox were out a little further than Nightjar and Elwood, which immediately sparked the boy's competitive nature. "C'mon Elwoo'!" he cried, stepping gingerly out into the water with a brave face. Water didn't scare him! When his buoyant force overcame gravity, though, and Nightjar's paws left the bottom, he shouted in surprise before his head went right under.

Instinct was quick to take over from there, and soon the boy was paddling to keep his snout above the water, but still he felt weird and weightless. His eyes sought Elwood, and for a brief instant, there was a ripple of fear in his silver irises as he began to drift further from the shoreline, carried by his inexperienced paddling.
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Ooc — Kat
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#29
Peregrine made a point to keep his eyes fixed on his youngest at all times. He knew that drowning could happen in seconds, in only a few inches of water. He wasn't going to let that happen. The only time he did look up was to glance at Finley when she belatedly joined the pool party. Had Wildfire's cry of her godmother's name summoned her here? The Alpha male shot her a smile, then fastened his eyeballs on little Raven again.

The other children's cries rang out around them as Peregrine led her into slightly deeper water. It sloshed around his big body, creating little waves that made Raven bob. She giggled, though there was an uncertain edge to the sound. Peregrine lowered himself so that his belly brushed the lake bottom, putting his muzzle within easy reach in case Raven felt the need for a flotation device.

"You're doin' good, Rave. You're a natural," he praised her. "Wanna do something fun?" he asked and when she gave him a breathless, "Yeah!" he stood again. Water drained off him in little waterfalls as he reached down and plucked her up by the scruff. He held her just above the water for a moment, then dropped her, creating a loud splash. Luckily, she resurfaced with a kick and, after gasping, began to giggle.

"Duddy's the best swim buddy," he quipped to her with a smirk, then complied at her cries of, "Again! Again!"
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#30
Tiger frowned, "T'be honest, I wouldn't know. These are my first batch of kids. You deal with them a lot...?" she queries, noting Nightjar going under and resurfacing. She had no doubt of Elwood's capabilities, and was only distracted when her sister came beside them. "Hey, flea," she greets with a grin, moving to nudge her sibling companionably. Tiger loved this flea like she loved no other. Fleas sucked, but nope, not this one. You're a cool flea.

Her attention drifted toward Nightjar again, who was paddling a bit further out. Tiger took care to plod deeper into the water herself, and move into his trajectory, a natural buffer he would bump into if he got "too far" which she made sure wasn't all that far at all. "You guys are naturals," she commends, her tail waving and causing a bit of a ripple effect to anyone in its waving wake. 
✝ november 27, 2015
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Ooc — Iris
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#31
"Uhm, only boys," Pantaleimon mumbled when Tiger asked if these were Pan's first bunch of puppies. She had only ever dealt with the males, for there was nothing that Pantaleimon could teach the females: they, after all, were taught that they were above the Consorts from birth. Pan had never really known what to do with the tiny Sirens when she happened upon them, and had preferred to stay clear of them; instead giving her nurturing and love to what male puppies were entrusted to her, for they needed it.

The pups seemed to be doing well, and Tiger called out that they were naturals. Pantaleimon remained stiffly beside her, not really sure if she should say or do something.

To avoid having to talk, Pantaleimon decided to go for a quick swim. It wasn't like anyone would miss her: they were all busy learning how to swim, and Pan felt no part of this lovely moment between puppies and their parents, guardians and other loved ones. With a soft smile on her face, Pantaleimon let her body float into the deeper water, where she dove under, before crashing through the water's surface again.
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Ooc — Kim
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#32
Elwood kept a watchful eye on Nightjar as the boy bravely navigated out into the shallow water. He didn't have to go far before his paws left the sandy bottom, and Elwood reached out a leg protectively, in case Nightjar needed a quick rescue. As was the way of the wild, instinct kicked in quickly and he was soon paddling along with relative ease, keeping his face above the water all the while.

"You're doing it, NJ! You're swimming!" Elwood exclaimed, but even as the words left his mouth he noticed the panicked expression that flickered across his nephew's face. He was drifting perhaps a little further than he wanted to, so with a few long steps -- his strides slowed by the thickness of the water around him -- he positioned himself in front of Nightjar and used his snout to gently nudge the boy back towards a more manageable depth.

He was so absorbed in his task that he didn't notice Finley's arrival -- that is, until he heard Wildfire call out for Aunt Flea. Elwood then looked up sharply; his gaze landed on Finley and his face creased into a huge smile. His tail slapped the water behind him. He was happy to see that she was feeling well enough to observe their antics, but he quickly refocused on the splashing Nightjar. To their left, Pantaleimon slipped by with surprising skill, and he wondered where their newest packmate had learned to swim.
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Ooc — Houkie
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#33
Thanks for powerplaying Raven for me during my absence, Dad!  :D

Raven had been perhaps the most nervous of the three when it came down to actually getting in the water.  She felt little glimmers of fear tickle her belly when the gentle lapping of the water pushed at her and unbalanced her, and quiet panic shot through her the first time her feet couldn't touch bottom.  But her father's presence and his calm, reassuring encouragement and guidance gave her the courage to continue, and soon she was having fun.  She noticed Nightjar and Wildfire enjoying themselves and making fast progress, and as was typical of all siblings, she wanted to at least keep up with them...if not straight-up outdo them!

When her dad picked her up and dropped her gently into the water with a big splash, Raven was nearly beside herself with glee.  "Again!  Again!" she demanded of him each time she regained her feet, and being the awesome slave dad he was, he did so.  

She loved the way the water splashed.  She loved the sound, she loved the sensation of crashing into something that didn't hurt.  The feeling of buoyancy she experienced when her feet didn't quite touch bottom, while a little disconcerting, was weird and awesome.  She bounded around, splashing and making waves just for the pure enjoyment of it, until she reached a spot where the water was a little deeper than she was prepared for.  Her head bobbed under for only the briefest of instants before, instinctively, she began to paddle and she popped back up.  A few seconds passed as she realized what she was doing and then she beamed at her dad with a radiant grin, obviously proud of herself.
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Ooc — Kat
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#34
Wildfire quickly learned that trying to shout while treading water shot her focus and caused her to begin sinking, so she shut her yap and concentrated on remaining afloat. It wasn't difficult, though it was hard work for her small body. She doggy paddled around the shallows, getting better with each passing moment. She started out swimming in any random direction before eventually figuring out how to steer by using her legs as propellers and her black tail as a rudder.

Especially since it was her first swimming lesson, the red puppy quickly became exhausted. Fox nudged her toward shore and she clambered out of the water and slung herself down on the bank beside Finley. "Did'ja see me?!" she chirped at her beloved aunt, then sat up just long enough to give her pelt a shake before flopping back down beside her godmother. "I swim good!" Despite her weariness, Wildfire grinned from ear to ear.

While she rested there beside the water, she watched the rest of the group still enjoying themselves. Her golden gaze lingered on Pan as the white male glided out farther than any of the pups had gone. She observed, envious of the way the male stroked so expertly. Pan made it look so effortless and relaxing. Wildfire wondered if he could show her how to become a pro like him, though she chewed her lip at the mere thought. She would have to get to know him better first.

After licking some of the moisture from her coat, Wildfire grew drowsy and let her chin sink onto her paws. She fell asleep to the sounds of laughter and splashing and dreamed of swimming in outer space.
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Ooc — Kat
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#35
Final post/round. Thanks for participating! :)

After enjoying a few more dunks, Raven took to doggy paddling around in the shallow water. Peregrine stayed with her, sloshing his legs in the cool caldera as he kept a close eye on her. He glanced at the other swimmers every so often, tossing smiles in random directions. He even watched Pan for a long moment, admiring the way he mastered himself in the aquatic environment. Mostly, though, Peregrine's eyes stayed fixed on his youngest.

When Raven looked like she might be flagging, Peregrine said, "All right, let's hop out and get you dried off, little fish." Whether she came along willingly or not, he coaxed her out of the water. "Do this," he instructed her, bracing his legs on the ground and giving his entire body a steady shake. "Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah!" he chanted. "Give Aunt Fin a much-needed shower. That's what you get for showing up late to the party," Peregrine said to the Beta, leering playfully.

Because not everyone was quite done yet, the Alpha male reclined on the shore near the snoozing Wildfire's head. "If you're cold, c'mere and cuddle," he said to Raven, then folded himself onto the ground to enjoy the final stretch of the pool party.
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Ooc — aerinne
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#36
All three of the firebirds did well, thrashing and kicking against the still water to make their bodies move. It was excellent to watch them do something so challenging, and it made Fox incredibly proud to have birthed such awesome kids. Pride was something Fox was well-known for, of course, and she felt she had every right to the sin here and now. Swimming was hard work, though, and soon all three of the tykes came crashing onto the shore.

Fox wasn't anywhere near "exhausted," but she followed them anyhow, collapsing beside Peregrine and sharing his warmth. After the party had more or less died down (and the kids were napping quietly), she whispered something sweet in his ear, gave a couple of the remaining adults a quick glance, then dragged her lover off for some fun. This was a rare opportunity to get some much-needed alone time, and she knew that moments like these didn't last long.
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Ooc — Stevie
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#37
Fin smiled as the firebirds acknowledged her, enjoying the sight of them playing and exploring this new aspect of their home.  She gave Wildfire a grin as she called out to her, her tail wagging softly behind her.  She chose to say nothing though, mostly not wanting to encourage any of the kids to come too near to her for fear of them catching her illness.  She was content laying upon the shore with the tide massaging her aching belly, watching their joy.


Eventually, Elwood did catch her gaze and the pair shared a quick smile.  Admittedly, as much as she loved all three of the pups, it was Nightjar that caught most of her attention.  Not because she favored him or any of the kids, really, but because there was something so completely captivating about seeing how her lover interacted with the little boy that she simply couldn't look away.

When Peregrine called an end to the event, Fin felt disappointed.  It didn't last too long though as he called upon the kids to shake themselves off all over her.  She scrunched closed her eyes and turned away as little droplets of water splashed all over her, turning to nip at whatever little butts were near her as they scampered, giggling away.  She frowned as they left, though the corners of her lips were turned up in an unmistakeable smile.  She shifted herself up onto her haunches slowly, watching as Peregrine called his babies to him for a cuddle.  She wanted to join them so badly, but still refrained, making the unusually responsible decision to not spread her germs.
 
✝ november 27, 2015
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Ooc — Iris
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#38
The pups grew tired quick, as expected at that age and when doing something new. Pantaleimon thought it fascinating that the pups learned to swim. She didn't remember learning to swim; she just remembered swimming, even as a child.

The smile evaporated and made place for humbler expression when Pantaleimon finished her glide through the water and entered solid ground again. She shook her fur far away from the others, to make sure that she would not shower anyone in water, and then the large white started to slink away from the meeting, because it seemed to be a moment of family and she felt out of place in the picture.
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Ooc — Chelsie
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#39
His drifting wasn't as endless as he originally thought, for somehow Elwood managed to transport himself between Nightjar and the yawning abyss that was the centre of the caldera lake in the blink of an eye. His body bumped gently against the Beta male's and again he marvelled at the weightlessness of it all before Elwood was nudging him back toward more manageable water. Nightjar did his best to help by paddling, and wasn't doing too bad a job of it either, save for the water that he splashed rather unnecessarily the entire way.

His tongue was lolling by the time his paws found the bottom again and his breathing was much harder than he'd realized while paddling. As weightless and effortless as it seemed, swimming was an awful lot of work. Peregrine and Raven were just leaving the water as well, and Nightjar joined them, all too happy to comply with his father's sentence for Finley. He raced to her side, sopping wet, and shook himself unsteadily and sloppily all over her leg.

When his family began piling together, Nightjar rushed in as well, hitting the pile with the momentum of a tiny, fluffy cannonball and huddling against one of his sisters for warmth. He didn't even really notice when Peregrine and Fox slipped away, because by then, his eyes were drooping sleepily.
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Ooc — Kim
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Nightjar soon started to paddle for the shore, though it was evident that he had enjoyed himself. Elwood followed, wading through the water until he emerged. Droplets ran in rivulets from his pelt, pooling at his feet, and he gave himself a quick shake before following the firebirds. Peregrine directed them towards Finley, and it was with a grin that Elwood joined them, happily pressing his wet nose against her cheek before settling down alongside her.

Once all of the kiddos had collapsed in a heap with the adults all around, Peregrine and Fox snuck away. Elwood grinned and winked as they disappeared, then turned back to Finley. It looked as though they would be babysitting for a little while.