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Post by Xentus on Aug 6, 2023 1:45:28 GMT -6
"Good, good! Good jump, Basa!", the praise was yelled once more. Compared to the sheer size of the beast, the 'jumps' it performed were mere hops. On the ground near its feet, however, the serpent could've easily cleared a 10-foot tall fence. Xentus wanted to see more power now! If that was a hop, a true jump would be earth-shaking. He advised the serpent accordingly. More force, jump bigger. Given the extreme length of the serpent, its body didn't quite move like a dog's would when jumping. All legs pushed off the ground evenly, the whole body moved roughly evenly. The tail lagged behind and the neck curled to prevent the shock of impact from rattling its head. It didn't help that this was a standing jump. It might've looked funny, but it was good!
"Yes! Jump!", Xentus praised excitedly, holding back the urge to giggle at the sight. Jump by jump, the motion grew better. More fluid, more power.
Jump - 4
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Post by Xentus on Aug 6, 2023 1:53:03 GMT -6
Now there was one last step. To jump onto something. With the sheer mass of the pliathor, jumping onto something would likely merge whatever with the earth. He'd hate to find himself under one of the giant's paws, let alone get jumped on by it. As pitifully small a target it was, the training dummy was dragged into a clear spot in the grass. Poor thing was going to be in bits when they were done here.
'Okay Basa. Now try jumping and landing on the doll', Xentus instructed, pointing at the dummy. Basantai slowly blinked and reviewed its target. All legs, push up and then come down onto the strange brown person-shape. Yes, he could do that. The beast's feet shuffled to position just right, then it sprang up into the air. A moving jump looked a lot more graceful than a standing one. The pliathor came down and crushed the dummy under a paw on the landing.
"Perfect! Excellent, Basa, good jump!"
Jump - 5
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Sub Dio
Aug 9, 2023 21:40:03 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 9, 2023 21:40:03 GMT -6
The leather skin and metal joints of the dummy squealed under the weight of the massive foot, threatening to fall apart in a fit of foam and fiber. 'Alright, alright Basa, that's good', Xentus assured to try to coax it into removing itself from the poor doll. A slowly replied 'okay' was sent back as the serpent took a step back and revealed a near-flattened training dummy. This thing was going to take quite the beating today, he needed it to last as long as it could...
'Let us try that again Basa, but this time run up first', the leopard explained through the mental link after getting the serpent to take a few large steps back, 'Run up and jump!' Basantai always did his best to heed its masters command. Even if he didn't quite get it right the first time. The pliathor began running up - literally into the air. Then from his position above, jumped down to bear its weight upon the dummy.
Pounce - 1
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Sub Dio
Aug 9, 2023 22:04:35 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 9, 2023 22:04:35 GMT -6
'No, no, no, Basa!'
Honestly, he was a little too dumbfounded to correct the serpent sooner. Watching it ascend then jump down was... Yes, what he asked, but not what he wanted. It was almost entertaining, if not for the danger to the dummy's structural integrity. The leopard could only watch and grimace and plead for Basantai to stop before it was too late. And mere inches before the first paw landed on the dummy, it stopped midair. Basantai looked over to his master and slowly blinked in confusion, suspended in a near-vertical pose in the air. Xentus let out a sigh of both relief and exasperation.
'Start over, Basa. Stay on the earth'
The serpent thought little of the misunderstanding and returned to the ground gently to try again. It stood about its body length away, then started running toward the dummy. And upon reaching it, stalled its run then jumped onto it.
Pounce - 2
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Sub Dio
Aug 9, 2023 22:15:02 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 9, 2023 22:15:02 GMT -6
The motion was almost as if the running start and jump were understood as two different commands, rather than one fluid motion. Perhaps this was a failure of communication again, however, as the serpent truly did do as he asked. Xentus decided to take this as progress and clapped. This is usually when he'd reward a treat, though there was nothing short of an entire thundergug leg to serve as a treat for the massive serpent.. "Good start Basa, good pounce", the man praised aloud, and immediately the pliathor seemed to swell with happiness. 'Let's see if this can be done... More smoothly', Xentus mused, sharing his thoughts with the beast. He needed better instruction. Maybe he could set an example. While it could be interesting, he didn't think it would serve much purpose in doing it himself.
They started over. 'Run until Xentus tells when to jump, alright? No hesitation, Basa' Now, to time this just right...
Pounce - 3
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Sub Dio
Aug 9, 2023 22:41:13 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 9, 2023 22:41:13 GMT -6
The massive serpent began its approach. Xentus wasn't even certain how far it might go after jumping, let alone when to signal for it. Best sooner than later though, else the beast might go barreling straight into the tree he used to mark his training plot.
'Now, jump!'
The signal was given. Basantai stalled slightly to align his feet correctly, then did as instructed and jumped. The leap took it shorter than the mammalian figured, landing a good twenty feet away from the mark. Still, the motion was getting there, and that was the whole point. "Pounce, yes! Good pounce Basa!", Xentus praised aloud and gave a couple of claps. Basantai blinked, seeming to think this was a failed attempt at first, but quickly accepted the praise and applause. If its master said it did good, then it did good. Little else mattered more to the serpent than knowing its keeper was pleased.
Pounce - 4
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Sub Dio
Aug 9, 2023 22:51:03 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 9, 2023 22:51:03 GMT -6
They needed to work on this stalling the serpent did. And to lessen the running start. Those were his only criticisms of the 'pounce' thus far. Xentus attributed the former issue to the fact that such stocky legs on that lengthy frame must make it rather difficult to coordinate properly for a pounce. The latter issue was a matter of shedding the training wheels. The motion was easier to commit to when running - something they may not always have the luxury of doing.
With that in mind, the lesson began again. 'As before, Basa', Xentus told the beast, signaling for it to begin its approach. This time he'd try to time it better for the beast to land on the dummy. Just a bit closer than before...
'Jump!'
The timing was just a touch off from the serpent's ideal foot placement, making it fumble awkwardly as it tried to jump right on its master's word.
Pounce - 5
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Sub Dio
Aug 10, 2023 20:29:47 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 10, 2023 20:29:47 GMT -6
Basantai's fin-wings flared out to help him maintain his balance as he reset his feet and attempted the jump. He knew he'd messed up already, but he'd try his best regardless! The serpent's body scrunched up, then he sprang forward with a good amount of force - leaving huge gouges in the lawn. Just the energy he needed to try and reach that dummy!
Xentus watched as the beast executed a fairly good pounce, excusing the fumbled start, and beamed with excitement as the serpent landed just before the target. Basantai was still a bit short, but only by a couple feet. And given the beast's immense size, dummy was well within clawing or biting distance. 'Tried...', the creature apologized quietly in his mind, and it looked at him with dejected puppy-eyes. 'Basa that was perfect! Xentus is proud', the man immediately chimed back, much to the beast's surprise.
"Good pounce!"
Pounce - 6
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Sub Dio
Aug 10, 2023 20:41:02 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 10, 2023 20:41:02 GMT -6
The mammalian tried to do his best to associate commands verbally rather than just through telepathy. Felt a little more... Substantial, he supposed. Besides, it would feel rather strange to celebrate without some vocalization. Xentus ran up to the serpent to pet its front leg, hoping that it could even feel his touch. And it did, the sensation making Basantai quite happy. And, confused. Knowing it did good was good. How it did good was beyond it. The serpent set down its length along the grass and curled its neck to encircle the man with its head just barely touching his side.
"Good boy, Basa", Xentus cooed, rubbing the beast's nose. How could such a giant be so sweet. He almost wanted to stop the lessons there and curl up in that mane and take a nap. Alas, there was work yet to be done. After a short cuddle break, the pair were back at it.
'Alright Basa', the man started, now watching the serpent from afar, 'pounce!'
Pounce - 7
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Sub Dio
Aug 10, 2023 20:48:54 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 10, 2023 20:48:54 GMT -6
There was very little run-up allowed this time. Basantai showed he could do what they were aiming for here, and so Xentus wanted to focus in on the success. Small distance to get footing right, then jump forward. Basantai seemed to mutter instructions in its mind, it thoughts flowing to Xentus freely. After a short moment of concentration, it moved. Forward, careful feet. Jump. The massive serpent lurched forward as its body acted like a spring, more force generated in its midsection than its feet now. And after a short travel through the air, it landed upon the dummy with nearly all of its weight. What would've been a crunch was muffled. Ah, that poor training dummy.
Overall, the pounce was executed slowly, but it looked good. Xentus judged this a success and a pass. "Yes! Good pounce Basa!", the man praised aloud yet again, clapping. Basantai stared down between his toes for a moment before turning its head slowly to its master, reveling in the praise.
Pounce - 8
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Sub Dio
Aug 10, 2023 21:27:04 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 10, 2023 21:27:04 GMT -6
The leopard's keen eye didn't miss a thing, reading the pliathor's body and every move it made. He hoped the dummy was going to survive this. If not, he needed to find a new target for the beast to practice on. For a moment, he thought to introduce Quinn's brother, Azzu to the giant beast. Another soul to add to his live-bait strategy... But, a tiny faeron was far below the serpent's awareness. Yes, it wouldn't work, he tried to convince himself.
He pulled himself back to the current lesson and walked up to inspect the dummy. Basantai stepped aside to reveal... The dummy was nestled within a foot impression, still mostly intact. Relief washed over Xentus as he pulled the dummy out and set it on a fresh patch a turf for them to try again. The stage was reset and the serpent was signaled to make its move.
"Go Basantai! Pounce!"
Pounce - 9
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Sub Dio
Aug 10, 2023 22:46:59 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 10, 2023 22:46:59 GMT -6
With the repeated efforts, the serpent had gathered that using its body length rather than just its legs was what worked here. It gathered some speed with a couple of long strides winded up, then sprang forward while baring down on the ground to propel itself forward in a graceful leap. Mane flowing, scales shimmering, a wonderful sight to behold. And no doubt a terrible sight to be on the receiving end of. The nearby earth trembled as the creature made contact, pressing its weight yet again into the training dummy. There was an audible, though still muffled crack of something breaking as it landed this time. Xentus did his best to hide his grimace behind a cheer and praise for the serpent's performance.
"Good pounce Basa, yes!"
The beast seemed to be quite pleased with itself, fluffing its mane proudly at the praise. It was far more assured now than when they started with this whole pouncing business. Xentus trotted up and patted its leg, passing more mental praise while trying not to look at the destroyed dummy nearby.
Pounce - 10
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Sub Dio
Aug 20, 2023 0:48:13 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2023 0:48:13 GMT -6
Maybe a tree would work as a better target... Xentus took a moment to find a new spot to train - one with a tree that looked sturdy enough to take a few hits - and set up with a new goal in mind. 'Alright, Basa. Hit the tree with your tail', he instructed, then stepped up and demonstrated on the trunk with his own tail. His own thick fur and lack of muscle in his tail lead to a rather underwhelming show of power. Not even a sound was made on impact. It looked far more like he was dusting the bark's surface with his fur more than anything else. The pliathor watched on and seemed to consider what its master wanted, before turning to the side and sweeping his long tail across the tree trunk. There was no power to the action, and almost seemed to be a mockery of what the man truly wanted..
Tail Strike - 1
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Sub Dio
Aug 20, 2023 1:02:19 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2023 1:02:19 GMT -6
It... Was a start. "Yes, strike Basa!", Xentus praised aloud, letting the serpent know it did something right. They did need some work though.
'Is good, but we can do better my friend', Xentus playfully teased the serpent, giving it a nod before stepping up to demonstrate again. 'Again. Faster. Powerfully' The leopard kicked into the air a bit this time as he swung his tail into the tree trunk, making the impact look slightly more impactful than his first attempt. Still, it didn't seem very impactful. (Powerful), the serpent praised the man through their link, though it mostly came across as sarcasm. Xentus cleared his throat and stepped back to both shrug off the remark and give the dragon space to move. Basantai winded up its long tail and swung it out at the tree trunk again, hitting it mostly with the fluffy end. The resulting impact was dampened and seemed still too weak for the leopard to be satisfied.
Tail Strike - 2
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Sub Dio
Aug 20, 2023 17:03:27 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2023 17:03:27 GMT -6
One might figure with all that tail length the pliathor had, it might figure to use the meaty part. Alas, Basantai was not quite one to think in such a strategic manner. It was only really focused on trying to do as its master wanted, and it wouldn't dare assume anything more of a command than what it was. The only exception was if it was angered, and incurring the wrath of the gigantic beast was a foolhardy mistake.
"More, Basa, more!", the man chanted from far below the serpent's sight, down on the ground. Its head tilted to peer at Xentus with one eye in acknowledgement, then it made a wide arc with its tail to try again. More. More faster and power. It could do that. Basantai swished its tail to and fro a couple times to feel the momentum, then lashed its tail out against the tree.
Tail Strike - 3
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