Something a bit more uplifting. In my world, fauns are fabulous swimmers (as are centaurs and unicorns, although dwarves are prone to sinking like stones) and Malachi is as fabulous a swimmer as any.
There are a few ponds not far from his home, and he's got free access to the giant lake by the castle as well as the big indoor pool; he's permanently exempt from the little usage fee. Once in a blue moon, he's lucky enough to visit the ocean itself.
All his life, Malachi was never afraid of the water. He was always careful, of course, but his face spent more time below the surface than above it, and he can beat all the Lactantiuses at holding his breath.
It's because of him that Romulus, Tallis, Kyla, Reid, and Mason have all learned to swim so well. And yes, all of his children are skilled swimmers, too, as is his wife. When it came to training for the Royal Army, knowing how to swim was a must, so Jonathan, Sam, and Fritz all passed that part with flying colors. Even Caleb and Mara would do well in a race or could save someone from drowning.
Sometimes Joanna will get good and soaked alongside her husband, and sometimes he prefers a private dip.
For a while, he was resistant to the idea of a water mask. He claimed he didn't really need to see where he was going and that keeping his eyes closed kept him more relaxed and focused anyway, and Kyla used to agree with him. But when at last they donned a mask, they took everything they'd said back.
Either way, just like Reid, whenever Malachi goes into the water, he takes his sweet time to climb out and every centimeter of him will be sopping afterward.
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