River Horse

Chapter Four

I walked home with Ty that day. We talked and laughed about this and that until we reached the forest. Ty turned to me and grinned mischieviously. "Want to race?"

I grinned back. "You bet." We carefully positioned ourselves and mentally counted to five. We took off, exploding into the foliage and sprinting for the river, just like old times. My breath came short and fast, my lungs burned, and my feet pounded on the ground. I could see the river ahead. I saw Tyson emerge onto the riverbank at the same time as I did, and I put on an extra spurt of speed. I plunged into the water seconds before him, morphing into a kelpie. He dove in and transformed too.

Our colors are unusually diverse in our family. My sister Diana is pale green, I'm orange-gold, Mom was red, and Dad was black. Ty is a beautiful shade of pale yellow. He shimmered like he was made of pale gold as he twisted in the water in joy. 

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" I swam up and headbutteed him affectionately. "How long have you been away from water?"

He sighed and lashed his tail. "Too long. I resigned... I missed you all too much and besides, it's not our place to interfere with human politics or power struggles. Mom and Dad were right. Now, I can't even tell them that."

I put my forehead against his and whichered softly. We drifted like that for a while, then he pulled back. "Are Diana and the girls coming over? I want to see them too." I bobbed my head, then began to swim up towards the surface. I could feel vibrations as a noisy human walked into the shadows. I poked my head above the water cautiously.

Ivan grinned at me cheerfully. "Hey, Alicia.  What's going on?" I hissed at him, trying to get the message across. He didn't budge. I felt Ty swimming up to me and poking his head out of the water. I screamed a challenge when he saw Ivan and began to charge him, only to squeak in pain as I stomped on his tail.

"Dumbass!" I yelled. "He's the sympathetic! Don't kill him!" Tyson was still furios and in a killing mood. "Ty, he's my friend! He saved my life!" Ty whipped his head around and stared at me, his notrils flared. Ivan looked uncertain. "Please." That was all he needed. Tyson's shoulders slumped and the angry gleam faded from his eyes. I whickered softly and nuzzled his cheek before stepping forward to Ivan. "You idiot!" I  began ranting at him, barely remembering to speak in English.

"In my defense-"

"There's no defense! Tyson could've killed you, and-and-" I couldn't continue. Ivan hesitantly put a hand on my nose. I looked at him, not wanting to say my feelings out loud.

"I'm sorry." He said it softly. "I didn't know you really cared about us that much. I won't do anything like that again." He stroked my nose. Strking a kelpie's nose immediately soothes us. I don't know what it is, but we like it. So I leaned into Ivan's hand and allowed mself to enjoy it for a few minutes.

He pulled his hand away and I opened my eyes, much more relaxed now. He smiled and said, "I came to tell you that there's a party tomorrow night and we all really want you to come. I glanced backward at my brother, who had pricked his ears forward. Do you think it would be a good idea? I asked mentally.

He nodded and swished his tail, indicating his approval. I lashed my tail happily and nodded at Ivan. He grinned and said, "I'll come and pick you up at six and walk you there. It's kind of an edgy club, so don't dress all froofroo or like you usually do. Alright?" He left the river, disappearing into the foliage. I could hardly contain my excitement. The old indifferent me was fading away, and my lighter, more happy personality was coming back. I'd like to say that it was all my brother coming back, but actually, I think it was mostly Hans and Ivan and them. Not that I'd ever admit it.

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"Oof!" Tyson's breath rushed out as Diana slammed into him with a monster hug. She began babbling more than iI had as she frantically searched him for injuries. She cried as she found multiple scars on him. She berated him in several different languages until Holly and Yvonne finally peeked into the room.