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Keilantra looked between her father and the new mare. What was she asking of her father? A role model? The mare frowned, not liking the idea of possibly having to share her father with some colt they just met. She tossed her head in irritation. She didn't see her mother much, but you don't see the stallion asking for a female role model for her. 'Calm down, Kei.' she thought to herself. 'You're being irrational. You're a grown mare and don't need daddy's full attention any more.' With that that thought she stayed silent seeing how the scene in front of her played out.

Miyuki watched her adopted sister battle with the internal conflict. She loved her father, and has enjoyed being the center of his attention. The young mare remembered when she first joined the herd as a filly, Keilantra did not like the fact that Kumo had paid a lot of attention to her. And now, this new mare was asking Kumo to be a role model and teach the colt, Malore was it? the things only a male can. The snowy equu didn't really understand, not having either a mother nor father, but she could imagine what Keilantra was going through. The dark mare stayed close to her 'sister', letting her know silently that she would always be there.

Kumo chuckled at the colt. "They are cool. The top in my opinion." The stallion turned his attention to Ganese to listen to her request. After hearing it, he frowned in consideration. Be a role model? He turned to look at the bright coloured colt. It would be a challenge, to be a male role model. After all, he had only raised Keilantra and Miyuki and they were both wonderful mares. It would be something to consider. "Well, ma'am. I can't make a promise I can't keep. It is definitely something to consider." The dark stallion could feel the tension and unease coming from his daughter. It was something to discuss later.

Kumo shook his head. "No no, I mean no offense, sweet lady. However, I must admit I haven't been a real role model to a colt." He bowed his head frowning. "My own sons didn't have me to look up to, so I'm not sure how I would be as a role model." The stallion lifted his head and stood proudly. "It makes me glad to know that you feel you can trust me enough with your son. He can certainly hang around, our herd is quite peculiar one might say. Especially Eiji, he would love to have a colt hanging around every once in a while, wouldn't you agree girls?"

"Jewels are over rated." She stated, coolly. "They just serve to hide natural beauty." Keilantra bent her head to n** at a small itch on her foreleg. "I agree, Father. Uncle would love to have a colt around. He would be able to keep up with the 'colt in a stallion's' body." The dragoness looked the colt up and down. "It happens. Though not many stay long."

"Which is why I enjoy it." Miyuki stated, eying the bright colt. "You have too many things. Don't you share with anyone?" Her voice was quiet as she spoke, doing her best to not just disappear behind both Keilantra and Kumo. "We can...try." She replied, "I'm not very good with others."

Had one been able to see Kumo's eyes, they would have seen them cloud over at the mention of the past. "Hard? Yes." He replied, not wanting to ignore the question, especially after all that the mare had shared. "However, I over came it. A couple of years ago, I saw myself as a loner, someone looking for trouble; attention." He chuckled to himself. "Now look at me." He nuzzled Keilantra's neck, then Miyuki's. "I have a family and a mate and children. I can't forget the past, but I can forgive those in the past as well as look towards a brighter future." He looked into the ghost mare's eyes. "Do not hate because of a few dumb equine. I have learned that there are many more accepting equine than there are unaccepted. Do not listen to the negative comments of others, for you have beautiful wings, my dear."

Keilantra listened to her father and hung her head slightly. She was being prejudice against Malore for no reason. Shaking herself, the dragoness walked up to the colt and nudged his cheek. "Sorry, little one." Was all she said before answering his question. "Walking and exploring. That's all I really do."

Miyuki pondered what the colt had said about being tempted. "Well, don't you ever try to resist that temptation? You don't have to grow up like your father." She frowned, shaking her head. "I personally like hanging out at home, especially during the summer. Only when fall and winter come do I leave willingly. I prefer the cold instead of the heat."

Kumo looked at her sadly. "I truly am sorry to hear that, Ganese." He hung his head slightly. "It's good to know that Malore won't have to grow up in that kind of situation. You seem to be giving him all the love a colt deserves." He glanced over at the younger ones who were chatting about their interests. "We can only hope that the next generation grows up to be one we are proud of."

Keilantra looked at Ganese curiously, "you're mother is really beautiful, Malore. You obviously didn't get your looks from her." She teased, looking back to the colt, pausing to ponder. "Hmm, maybe if you were with us, your mother would let you explore more."

Miyuki nodded agreement. "It is beautiful. The earth covered in white, with only little colour. You'll like it. Though, unless you're taller by then, you might get buried in it." She chuckled. "Lucky for you, you're quite brightly coloured." The winter mare looked at Keilantra. "That's a good point. You'll be with us, and we can always get Eiji or Chip to join us. Possible Pounce. I haven't seen him in a while."

((*brushes away the dust that gathered over her keyboard*))

Kumo looked thoughtfully at Ganese. "Yes, I don't see why it would be a problem to have him around. Though, you need not hide in the shadows, my Lady; you have nothing to be ashamed of." He gave a small smile before turning to the 'children'. "I must admit, I am lucky to have a daughter like Keilantra. She has been good to me, though I often wonder why she hangs around."

"Che, I'll reserve judgment until I see your father." Keilantra snorted, tossing her mane to the other side. "Spy's family can only teach you so much." She threw a glance at the spider that was resting peacefully in her father's mane. "However, she can't tell you how to be an Equu. That is up to you to figure out and learn from others like yourself." The young dragoness bent her head to nibble at an itch before stretching and looking once again at the young colt. "Miyuki and I can teach you a lot, I'm sure. And then there are a bunch of others from our herd who could teach you a bunch of things, though, I don't know where some of them might be at the moment as they aren't all winter equu's."

"I wouldn't be surprised if some of them have gone into hibernation." Miyuki wrinkled her nose as if the idea was offensive. "Some people just can't appreciate the loveliness of winter." The mare swished her tale in annoyance, before remembering the actual topic of conversation. "I'm sure your father would love to hear about adventures you have been on." Miyuki agreed, with a nod of her head. "Have you seen him recently?"

(*does some spring cleaning in the thread, using dust mask and all*)

*some years later*

The sun was shining down on the land of East of Eden, meadows glowed brightly as light wind tickled the grass, the lake glistened from the suns rays making it look as if gems were floating on the surface and over the forest, the tops of the trees radiated.

Under those trees, however, the suns warm rays couldn't reach. There were dark shadows that would scatter should those same rays ever reach their cold, moist and gloomy habitat. Should the sun shine through, it would show many a webs that would glisten as the dew clung to the sticky string, never showing the occupants of the homes.

Below, a shadow lurked, pacing back and forth in annoyance. The protector of this part of the forest and the host of the leader of their colony.

"Yes, yes. I KNOW they are big girls and can look after themselves, Spy." A deep voice; irritated. "It doesn't mean I don't worry for their safety when they leaves for weeks at a time."

Hooves stamped at the ground, impatient. Kumo; adopted guardian of the spiders, a pitch black fly-equine, and father of Keilantra - normally so patient, kind, and trusting was in a slowly building rage. His young dragoness daughter had left with his adoptive daughter, Miyuki and the young colt, Malore, claiming they were going on an adventure.

That was a few months ago.

Malore: the son of a pleasant mare, Ganese. Kumo got along well with the ghost-like equine, her soft demeanor was something he felt as if he needed to protect - like a brother would of a sister. Her son, however, appeared to get none of his mother's qualities that he had seen. The young colt was quite greedy and vain, something Kumo could only assume came from his father. The father clicked his teeth at the thought of the young colt. He knew neither of his daughters were impressed by all the jewels the child had, so he had no worry there. He only hoped that they knew danger when they saw it - not all predators were friendly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Branches flew past as two mares galloped through the forest, trying not to get caught by the Aikenka predators. They had been wandering the meadows having split up from Malore ages ago, but had not wanted to go back to the dark of the forest quite yet, when a few of the wolf-like predators must have caught their scent. Lucky for them, they were close to the forest; home.

"Miyuki! This way!" The dragoness called to her companion, leaping over two fallen trees. "We can lose them in those brushes over there."

Her companion glided over the same two trees and landed beside her. "Father is going to be so angry at us!" Miyuki whispered, knowing her sister's sharp ears would pick it up. "I told you we should have come home right after we left Malore. Keilantra, duck!"

Keilantra ducked just as Miyuki warned her, the thick branch barely grazing the top of her horns. "Yeah, yeah. I know." She pouted, turning sharply, the howls of the Aikenka seeming to be closer than before. "All I wanted to do was find Mother. Maybe even one of my siblings." They turned again and leaped quickly up to a rock that would buy them some time. "Look!"

Just up ahead they could see webs starting to form. Both mares grinned and exclaimed at the same time, "HOME!"

Their speed increased.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The black stallions head snapped up at the faint voices in the air, "It's about time!" He growled trotting towards the voices, picking up pace as he heard the slight distress in the combined voices and howls in the distance. "Spy, how fast can you guys work? We'll need a thick barrier."

Without missing a beat, the abnormally large black widow hopped onto the next upcoming branch and skittered quickly along, the sound multiplying as many more spiders followed.

Kumo's pace increased to a gallop, "Now to deal with some predators. They'll regret trying to attack my daughters!"