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Post by Ashe on Dec 16, 2017 7:31:27 GMT -6
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Post by Ashe on May 2, 2018 17:17:18 GMT -6
Continued from HereAhh, smell that fresh air! Ashe had hunkered down inside during the recent cold snap, venturing out only to feed the creatures that needed food and turn them out for brief exercise. Ashe had stayed inside, playing with his hatchlings and other such smaller creatures, getting them used to his presence and trying to teach them the basics. But for the first time in what seemed like a long time, the weather was finally breaking and he felt like he could live again. He arrived at the mansion with his two companions in tow; the ever-present Inyala, a sneaky blue imp that liked to sit on his shoulder or scout ahead and check things out, and his hatchling drake, Nadder. The baby was full of sass and was already wanting to go off on his own, so Ashe had to keep him on a harness and a leash. Nadder wasn't happy about it, when he noticed the tether, but thankfully he forgot about it more often than not. "Wonder what this month's trip is going to be," Ashe mused to himself. After being cooped up inside for so long, he had picked up a little habit of talking to himself. What could he say, Vix did it even when she wasn't alone! It was only natural for Ashe to do it too. Ashe: 1 9/20 Nadder: +2 3/5 Inyala: + 0 2/5 May Post 1
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Post by Ashe on May 2, 2018 17:18:07 GMT -6
Looking at the mansion from the outside, everything seemed pretty normal. The colors were a tad more vibrant, which worked with Nadder's brighter colors Ashe thought, but besides that it was still the same run-down looking building from the outside, with the same grounds surrounding it. Only, with spring being here officially, things had started to bloom. Grass was a little greener, dirt was a richer brown, flowers were budding and poking their heads out. Deep green ferns, some mushrooms (were they supposed to be those colors? Remind Ashe not to touch them with his baby Sarane next to him, just in case), wild flowers sprouting where they probably shouldn't be.
Nadder tugged on his harness as he tried to chase a multi colored dragonfly into the garden. Ashe gave a sharp tug back, not letting him get away with it. Nadder lashed his tail and dug his claws into the dirt, all thirty pounds of him straining. Ashe could bench press that much with his pinky, however, so he paid the drake no mind. Inyala was the first one to the door, and she gave a little tap tap tap to see if anything tapped back. When nothing answered her, she looked to Ashe for confirmation, then jumped as high as she could, grabbing the handle, and opening the door.
Ashe: 1 10/20 Nadder: +2 4/5 Inyala: + 0 3/5
May Post 2
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Post by Ashe on May 2, 2018 17:31:53 GMT -6
The door creaked as it opened. Ashe expected it to move slowly, like a door on its last hinges, but it swung easily under Inyala's pendulum swing. She let go of the handle and landed lightly on the ground, creeping slowly inside. She was engulfed by shadows in a matter of seconds, but Ashe could hear her soft chirps from inside, letting him know that the coast was clear. He clucked his tongue, a habit he had from training so many Equillion, and gave a sharp tug to get Nadder's attention. The Sarane gave an indignant shriek, glared at Ashe, then decided that the house looked enough like a cave to warrant a good exploration. He waddled after his companions and soon took the lead from Ashe.
Man and beast entered the mansion together side by side. They were greeted by a stretch of hallway, which opened into a small room with a closet. Ashe took a few moments to glance around and try to get his bearings. This place warped and changed shape each and every time he stepped foot inside, and this time was no exception. Eagerly, he paced over to the closet, hoping there might be something of interest inside. He reached out and grasped the handle, giving it a twist and letting the door swing open.
Ashe: 1 11/20 Nadder: +3 0/5 Inyala: + 0 4/5
May Post 3
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Post by Ashe on May 2, 2018 17:32:29 GMT -6
This door did not creak as it opened, though Ashe thought it should have based on the amount of dust that drifted through the air with its movement. Wait, was that dust? Upon closer examination, Ashe found it to be something shimmery, shiny, almost reflective like glitter. Pixie dust, maybe, instead of dust dust? He smirked to himself at the thought and, bravely, ignored it as it landed on his arm, his boot, and Nadder's head. The drake snorted and sneezed, shaking it off with a huff. He stuck his head into the closet, sniffing around for any hidden treats, be they of the food or toy varieties. He found shoes. In fact, his head went straight into someone's boot. He took a big wiff and backed away rapidly, deciding that that wasn't exactly for him.
Inyala materialized down the hall and called to her master with a chirp. Come this way! Ashe was pretty sure she was saying. Their bond was so tight that he could understand her almost perfectly - that is, her body language combined with what she was saying. But he didn't have a word by chirp translation down just yet.
"Just a minute," Ashe called down to her. He sorted through the coats in the closet, checking pockets and other such things, casually keeping an eye out for their owners.
Ashe: 1 12/20 Nadder: +3 1/5 Inyala: + 1 0/5
May Post 4
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Post by Ashe on May 2, 2018 17:38:21 GMT -6
He didn't see any other living things rushing to check their valuables, and that was probably because there were no valuables to be saved. He scowled slightly and shut the door, gently toeing the Sarane hatchling out of the way. Nadder scurried away from the foot and the closing door, going the only way open to him; down the hall. Ashe followed, not bothering to check and make sure whether the closet door shut all the way or not. It didn't matter to him, after all, since he didn't have anything to put in there.
They rounded the corner into the first room, which opened up into a dining and kitchen combination. Ashe glanced around, instinctively checking the corners and the shadows. Partly surprised, partly expecting something to happen and therefore being relatively prepared, Ashe came to a sudden halt when candles in sconces and chandeliers lit themselves. It wasn't just that, but they lit themselves in all sorts of pastel colors. Blues, purples, pinks, greens. And the colors flickered and danced, as if they were the flames themselves.
Inyala was perched on an island table in the middle of the kitchen, looking up at the chandelier above. She didn't seem to trust it, after it just came to life on its own like that. She might have even been checking to see if there were wires attached somewhere.
Ashe: 1 13/20 Nadder: +3 2/5 Inyala: + 1 1/5
May Post 5
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Post by Jack on May 2, 2018 21:25:38 GMT -6
The familiar was right not to trust the chandelier. It suddenly came crashing down toward the familiar, and at the same time the doors all locked and the water faucets began to run. The Mansion had them trapped!
[The next 5 posts yield no results]
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Post by Ashe on May 28, 2019 17:28:00 GMT -6
Suddenly, without warning, the chandelier started to get bigger and bigger and bigger - and Inyala knew she had to run, it was literally falling down right on top of her! She let out a startled chirp and bolted to the side, at the same time she heard Ashe shout for her. He couldn't make it over to her in time, and thankfully she had the reaction speed to get out from under it on her own. But broken glass and crystal flew everywhere, some of it hitting Inyala. She crouched and covered her head with her hands until the dust had settled. She had a minor scratch but was otherwise okay. Ashe hurried over to her and scooped her up, glad to see she was in one piece and still her full fleshy self, not a flattened pancake.
Though the noise had echoed through the room, he hadn't paid enough attention to realize what it was. The doors locking. That wasn't his concern now, though, seeing as his Sarane hatchling had bolted the same time the chandelier had crashed, no doubt terrified of it. Ashe had to find him first and foremost, then he would investigate what all this noise was and what to do about it next. "Nadder, where'd you go?!"
Ashe: 1 14/20 Nadder: +3 3/5 Inyala: + 1 2/5
May '19 Post -4
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Post by Ashe on May 28, 2019 17:45:44 GMT -6
Nadder had found a safe place under a cabinet. He squeezed in and hid there, not knowing what in the world was going on. All the slamming doors, the roar of water being turned on, that thing falling from the sky - he felt like the world was ending! Where do you go, if you think the world is ending and there's no one there to save you? So he hid in the darkest corner he could find and even ignored the human although he was calling. It was safe down here, not out there. He didn't want to die and he didn't want the world to end. It wasn't fair.
Inyala looked around from her vantage point on Ashe's shoulder, trying to spot the naughty Sarane hatchling. Why run away? Why worry the master like that? She was peering ahead when suddenly the man on whom he was riding veered to the side. She squawked in protest, nearly losing her balance. Digging her claws in, she found purchase and righted herself. Ashe had heard the water running and recognized it for what it was finally. He hurried over and started shutting off faucets. While the water wouldn't hurt anything if it ran, and it wouldn't 'save the planet' to turn off since this was magic, it was a habit. And who knew, maybe the drains would back up and flood them out.
Ashe: 1 15/20 Nadder: +3 4/5 Inyala: + 1 3/5
May '19 Post -3
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Post by Ashe on May 28, 2019 17:59:06 GMT -6
Inyala made a questioning sound, asking Ashe what the heck was going on. Ashe's shoulders shrugged, and she tightened her grip again, as he admitted that he had no idea. "That's what this place is, what this place does," He told her. He hadn't spent that much time in here since bonding to his familiar, so she might not be as well versed in the magical ways of this place just yet. "Sometimes random things happen, sometimes good things happen, and sometimes terrible things happen." As he said this, he suddenly thought about Nadder and what might have befallen his little Sarane. He was going to be one of, what Ashe called, his Big Three. He had a few extra large Sarane, extra tough drakes, and they were going to be trained up to be warriors.
That wouldn't come to pass if he lost one of the three!
"Nadder!" He called again. He couldn't see him anywhere, and this was just one room. The doors were all shut. He couldn't be far... Oh, maybe he was under something! He stooped and started looking under tables and chairs.
Nadder could see Ashe's feet moving around and didn't want to be found. He scooted back further against the wall, hiding. It was a terrible place out there right now.
Ashe: 1 16/20 Nadder: +4 0/5 Inyala: + 1 4/5
May '19 Post -2
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Post by Ashe on May 28, 2019 18:11:32 GMT -6
Eventually, Ashe found the cabinet Nadder was hiding under. He could tell it had something under it before he even stooped, thanks to the sound of scurrying feet as Nadder moved to the far side of he cabinet. Ashe knelt and peered under, with Inyala shifting to his back so she didn't topple off forward from his shoulder. Ashe spotted the movement and saw the tail first. Ashe reached out with a hand and grabbed his tail, giving it a tug. Expecting the bite, Ashe gave a far more firm jerk of the tail, the little claws unable to find purchase on the wooden floor as the small body slid, and thus causing his jaws to fall short of finding its victim. He made a bunch of grumpy noises, all for naught, as Ashe pulled him out and plopped him down on the ground. When he tried to scurry away again, Ashe grabbed the tail and then grabbed him behind the head so he couldn't bite, and held him gently.
"It's alright, little guy," he murmured, trying to calm him down. He released his tail and used the free hand to stroke his back and scratch behind his wings, murmuring soft things to him while keeping him from doing any damage. The hatchling squirmed and made some noise, though he was unable to do much else.
Ashe: 1 17/20 Nadder: +4 1/5 Inyala: + 2 0/5
May '19 Post -1
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Post by Ashe on May 28, 2019 18:17:40 GMT -6
After a while, the Sarane calmed down, and Ashe was able to attach the leash to him and let him up. Nadder hissed, grumpy that Ashe had held him down, but the fear aggression was toned down now. He wasn't scared, he was more interested in his surroundings. A few bribings of treats, a few scratches... Nadder was back to normal. As long as Ashe didn't mess with him physically too much, he wouldn't get too aggressive, but if ashe tried anything else... Look out!
Deciding it was time to leave, Ashe led his friends to the door. Led being a nice word for 'one was on his shoulder and had no choice' and 'dragged one on the ground that didn't want to leave yet, and there was a lot of squabbling in protest'. Nonetheless, they all ended up at a door that was... Locked. Great. When they slammed shut they must have also been locked shut. Ashe groaned and tried the other doors; they were all locked. He'd have to find one, and the right one at that, to bust out of.
Picking a door that looked like the one Ashe had come in from, he tried it again, and even shoved his shoulder against it. Nothing. Standing back, he gave it a firm kick near the handle, and the door swung open without much resistance, and with no damage - but they were four feet from the ground, outside, and they fell together.
But at least they were out!
Ashe: 1 18/20 Nadder: +4 2/5 Inyala: + 2 1/5
May '19 Post 0
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Post by Ashe on Jun 7, 2019 18:20:53 GMT -6
Footsteps crunched on the fine gravel as Ashe approached the Mansion. It looked odd this time of year, almost normal from the outside. Of course, this was probably the real thing, and all the fun stuff was the illusion, but this felt like the illusion to Ashe, like it was faking the fact that "everything was okay" and luring unsuspecting people to their doom inside. He opened the gate to the grounds and walked through, holding it for his newer companion. He didn't need to, because Asuka decided she didn't need to walk through like a normal person, and she took to the air to float over it. Her long serpentine body waved like a banner, her fluffy mane blowing in the breeze. She landed on the other side, just ahead of Ashe and his enslaved demon. Looking back at the pair, Asuka's eyes burned with curiosity and interest. It was about time that the human brought her along on one of his adventures, instead of leaving her cooped up back at 'home'. She waited until they caught up, then turned and floated-slash-crawled across the ground, moving with such grace it resembled stream water flowing over smooth rocks. They covered the ground quickly, and Ashe walked up the steps to open the door.
Ashe: 0 1/10 Asuka: 0 1/5 Inyala: 0 1/5
June Post 1
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Post by Ashe on Jun 7, 2019 18:27:09 GMT -6
The man crossed the threshold without thinking about it. He had been here so many times before, this was a nonevent for him. The mansion and all of its mysteries intrigued him and he wanted to explore, to hunt things down, to find items to collect and treasures to covet. Inyala was his first mate, ready to pillage and plunder alongside him, not a care in the world. Their bond was so strong that nothing could get between them, they fed off of each other and resembled each other in mannerisms now.
But Asuka was not part of their world. She was proud, aloof, and ready to explode if something pissed her off. She also preferred the outside aspect, more so than this trapped inside nonsense. She hesitated at the door, a little annoyed that Ashe would try to trick her like this. Take her outside, just to take her back inside?
He noticed her turmoil and paused, turning. "What's the matter, Asuka?" Ashe asked her. He thought, not for the first time, that she approved of his name for her. She hadn't told him otherwise, but what could she do except respond or toast him? He didn't speak her language. "This place isn't bad. The cool stuff is inside, though."
Ashe: 0 2/20 Asuka: 0 2/5 Inyala: 0 2/5
June Post 2
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Post by Ashe on Jun 7, 2019 18:35:29 GMT -6
Still, Asuka didn't seem comfortable here. She walked up a couple of steps so she could stretch her long neck and look inside. "Promise, nothing bad will happen. We won't be trapped and I won't leave you here. It's just, not much is going on outside. Inside, we're in a different dimension, I think. Each room is different, magical things happen. We can find treasures and artifacts." Asuka was completely on the top stair, halfway inside the building now, but still she was unsure. Untrusting. Ashe sighed, waiting. He wished he knew how to better convince her, to communicate with her. He spent so much time with Inyala, who knew what he was saying even if he didn't say it, and his other pets that he had ribbons on. Brazin didn't need much attention. And here was a sentient creature, possibly even more intelligent, Ashe wasn't sure, and he didn't quite know how to speak to her.
Slightly ashamed, knowing he should have spent more time getting to know her and knowing he couldn't just make it up to her overnight, he urged her again. Inyala leaned forward, making soft sounds of encouragement of her own: "How about this, if you don't like it at all, we can leave in five, ten minutes?"
Ashe: 0 3/10 Asuka: 0 3/5 Inyala: 0 3/5
June Post 3
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