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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:40:37 GMT -6
After a small break, maybe they could get to progressing Maple's learning. Just like yesterday, Lethalia kept up her stream of consciousness to the puppy, but thus far made a point of not saying her name at all. As the satyr completed her thought, she paused and added a little louder, "Right, Maple?" with a special lit at the end of her name. Whether or not the pup would look up didn't matter, because the morsel of meat landing next to her definitely did it. Head jerking over to where the food had soared from, Lethalia responded "Good, Maple!" and a second hunk joined the first so that Maple could start to conceptualize where the goodies were raining down from. It was unclear yet what the hooved one's chirruping was trying to convey, but as far as Maple was concerned, there was food and she'd skipped breakfast! That was motivation enough. name|6
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:43:39 GMT -6
After the initial spook of stuff landing next to her, the houluh snuffled forward and daintily picked the meat chunks up one by one - and of course had to lick the grass once the morsels were gone. A glance to her owner - was there more? But the satyr was standing still and quiet, which Maple didn't buy for a second. The houluh had to move on when it didn't seem like she would produce any more goodies though. Just as soon as Maple turned away, Leth started talking again. About more of nothing; this time mulling if Maple would ever be brave enough to ride on a sarane the same way Gold had been taught with a far more tame equillion. Since food had just been procured, Maple seemed attracted over like a magnet, nose twitching in anticipation of catching the smell. "Presumptuous much?" the satyr commented lightly. Maple actually approached her this time, a timid little tail wag to accompany her perked ears. name|7
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:46:52 GMT -6
"Well lookit that, she migh' be a' actual puppy, folks!" Lethalia announced warmly. She garnered a woof from Maple whose tail wagged a little harder. "Sorry, but that ain' what we're givin' out treats for." The houluh did however accept a quick pet without dodging away, which was definitely something. While the pets were nice, head scratches weren't what Maple had come over for and quickly moved on in the absence of food. Lethalia noticed the halt in the pup's step when she started talking with her again, but she seemed to be put off enough by not getting a treat last time that she didn't bother turning around at the mere sound of her voice. Good, she was catching onto things pretty decently by now! It seemed to help that she was progressing past her nervy nature; there was value in being able to distract Maple from her frayed edges, even if it was likely something that needed to be managed for her whole life. name|8
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:48:53 GMT -6
Lethalia couldn't, for the life of her, get the pup to respond to any chattering that wasn't her name after that. No matter the lit of her voice or rustling around with anything that sounded like she was getting a treat out, she couldn't attract Maple over. But the bare mentions of Maple's name suddenly summoned a puppy to her hooves. She got a treat each time, naturally. Training as of now needed to remain short and fun, so treats would definitely help contribute to keeping it fun for Maple! Treats would be staved off as training became less 'new' and food was no longer necessary to ensure cooperation. Maple was likely smarter than the nerves caused her to appear. It would be nice if she had another quick learner like Gold on her hands, even if she could go without the static of high-strung energy that clung to both creatures. name|9 name training accepted
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:50:26 GMT -6
Taking things slow, Lethalia called off Maple's first training session at learning only her name. They could do more in a day once the pup grew up and settled down some, but for now it was best kept to brief sessions. These later fall mornings were chilly, but didn't seem to affect Maple's ripping around the yard all that much, and Lethalia was happy enough to bundle up in a scarf and bulky canvas jacket for the occasion. Pressing both chilled hands to cradle a steaming cup of coffee, the satyr looked around for her houluh to get started. It'd probably feel warmer if she was moving and not just watching Maple's laps of the front yard. "Maple," Lethalia called, a wiggling puppy appearing at her hooves near-instantly in hopes of a treat. "Hey g'girl," she chimed, giving Maple a scratch for the efforts. THe pup managed to look rather affronted she was shorted a treat, though. "Not ev'ry time, kid."Maple lv|5 ly|6 come|1
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:51:36 GMT -6
Unsurprising that Maple didn't seem to be absorbing a word she said, tail only slowing a little when the hand reached out to pet her. When all she got was the petting and no good stuff, she woofed demandingly, tail crookedly going at full speed again. There were ways to 'talk' the woman out of food, there had to be if she'd managed it before! The pup just wasn't sure the trigger for getting the woman to fork over food just yet. "No, y'brat, Lethalia told her, voice dropping just enough to get the message across. Whether it was the difference in her tone or because Maple was pretty quick, the pup reacted with a tucked tail and simpered off to cower by the porch. Blinking at the rapidity of it all, Lethalia wasn't prepared for a reaction like that in response to her voice getting a little lower. "Ohmygods," she breathed, looking to Maple and calling her with a lighter "Maple, y'not in trouble."come|2 no|1
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 12:52:09 GMT -6
Maple looked for all like she'd been kicked, long ears drooping pitifully while she ducked behind the porch stairs where she could both hide and keep an eye on the frightening lady. Leth needed something more tempting, then. "Maple," she tried again, kneeling down to make herself look smaller. Free hand fishing for a scrap of meat, she procured a larger strip from her treat pouch without having to set down her coffee - a win to be sure. Though her name got those ears pricked, Maple still looked to have her reservations about returning to where she got in trouble. "Maple, c'mere! Got somethin' for ya," the satyr pressed further, her tone growing sweeter and more excited, treat shown to Maple on an extended palm. Only the barest wag started on the tip of the houluh's tail, nose twitching to sample the treat in hand but nowhere near coming out of hiding. "Maple! Maple-girl! C'mere!"come|3 no|2
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 13:59:13 GMT -6
It took a few minutes of talking her into it, but Maple unraveled herself and leaned towards Lethalia, ears pinned and tail at a nervous jittery sway. "Come on, g'girl! Y'got it!" the satyr praised as she earned another steps closer, making an attempt to enunciate and emphasize the command she hoped Maple to pick up on. As a reward for her progression, Leth tossed the scrap of meat in front of the houluh. A little forward advancement was going to be a big deal with this girl when she got spooked, it seemed. It would pan out with time - Lethalia was nothing if not unfailingly patient with creatures, even more so when they were small. That meant she didn't worry too much about Maple's hesitation to come up to her, even when another section of meat was peeled out of the bag for her. She didn't really get much further than she'd already gotten, but was definitely drooling at the sight. come|4
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 14:00:22 GMT -6
"Come on baby girl, I got all mornin'," Lethalia lied, her voice smooth and tempting regardless. The stock had already been fed before they started their training session, but clearly wouldn't be the only chore a large farmstead required. Still, she carried on as if she did have all the time in the world, coercing Maple until the pup slinked forward enough to delicately took the morsel right out of her hand. Careful to not spook her again, she praised quietly, "Yes, good! Y'came t'see me, whatta good Maple!!" The pup's tail began to wag cautiously, as if she wasn't sure if the scary bits were entirely behind her. "Y'gonna be m'brave girl, huh?" It sounded good, doubtful as it was. Somewhat recovered, Maple seemed content to take up her usual patrol of the yard. Lethalia let her linger long enough their transgression was forgotten about - which didn't take long, the ultimate upside to dogs - and get a chance to sip some coffee while it was no longer steaming but still somewhat warm. come|5
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Post by Lethalia on Nov 8, 2020 14:01:59 GMT -6
Setting her mug on the ground, the satyr's prepared to call Maple over and clap her hands, remembering herself and hands halting just inches away from meeting. That was a bad idea, wasn't it? "Maple, Maple-girl," she chimed instead, smirking at seeing those cream-lined ears perk up. "Maple! C'mere!" Eyes on her now, Lethalia held out the bag of squishy meaty treats for Maple to see. This time, there was quite a lot less hesitation to come booking up to her, now that they were no longer 'fighting'. It would be both a blessing and a curse that she loved her treats so much, for a good motivation that Leth would probably struggle to wean her off of. For just learning a new trick it was fine, especially to get her over here in such a snap - now the trick would be getting her to come over without treats. It shouldn't have surprised her that these houluh were wickedly faster learners than sarane, but it was jarring all the same. Maple was rewarded her treat, and as she'd been doing thus far, lost interest in the satyr upon discovering her palms empty of more food. Lethalia would let her wander off, get her attention elsewhere, before 'proving' that the houluh was responding to the request to 'come here' fairly on-point... Aside from the fact that when she began loping up to Leth after one such command, and stopped dead short of reaching her owner when it became apparent the treat bag was nowhere to be seen or smelled. "C'mon, don' be a brat," Lethalia told her, prompting the pup to sidle a few feet closer. Close enough. "Yeahh, g'girl!" Maple wanted nothing to do with the pets or praise, and wandered off in pretty short order. Lethalia found the trick to this pup was to make it unpredictable when she was getting a food reward. The very next time she called Maple and the pup showed hesitation, she was offered a treat. Following that, she came up quite eagerly each time to see if she was going to get food or not, and the guessing game seemed to keep thing interesting enough for her that Leth was able to recall the pup fairly reliably. Maple lv|6 ly|8 come|6 come training accepted
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Post by Lethalia on Mar 10, 2021 22:41:19 GMT -6
By the smallest of mercies, Maple became quite attached to Foggy for another companion closer to her in age and less bothersome than the boy pup. They were both chill enough to ensure neuroic Maple didn't get bullied, and Foggy had a playmate more her level than the larger critters she harassed. It helped that Foggy's bravery was a small boon in the wake of Maple's fears. Not like it was rubbing off, but it was putting Maple in situations she wouldn't have messed with otherwise. When they both got in trouble it was likely Foggy's fault, a great instigator like any good farm puppy. Maple was actually getting the chance to act like a puppy, with a guide at her side. While Foggy's boldness was helping her friend out, Lethalia saw it fit to train them both in bravery while they both had the perfect companion to lean on for it. Just like Gold, these two didn't need to take on anything too big - but they did need to be capable of standing up to them. Leth didn't entirely want them encouraged to harass the larger creatures any more than Foggy already did, but didn't want the houluh caught up with them either. Maple lv|6.1 ly|8.1 Foggy lv|14.1 ly|28.1 hardy|1
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Post by Lethalia on Mar 10, 2021 23:17:13 GMT -6
After all, it would be easier to put to use a houluh's greatest defense of a hasty retreat when not frozen in place. They could ease into it with something 'small' - relatively speaking. Newly adult Ivaylo was a pretty good prospect, smaller than the more established broodmother by a mile, lacking Esti's withering stare. The puppies would likely disagree that this hen was any less intimidating when her paws were every bit as large as they were - which meant she was as good of a start as any. She always could've just sat the pups down in front of Vidarr, but that sounded like a less kind method. Leth brought her puppies on their leashes just outside the fenced in front yard, getting a great deal of anxious spinning and yipping about being on this side of the gate. They'd never done any training out here! Both girls were used to their training sessions there and walks around the property, but this was a weird place to be. "Foggy! Maple! Girls, sit, be quiet," she directed, pointing at both of them in turn. Maple didn't know as much as her companion did, but was quick to follow the leader when the grey pup sat down and whined about it. "Better." hardy|2
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Post by Lethalia on Mar 10, 2021 23:18:50 GMT -6
Satisfied the houluh would at least start out calm, she turned to the house. "Ivaylo! C'mon big baby, it's nice out! Vay!" Lethalia hollered across the yard. In hopes that Vay would heed her call, the door had already been left open. At first spotted rakai head popped out of the doorway, but Tzion skittered out of the way in the wake of something else. Momentarily a much bigger, ruddier head emerged from the doorway, periscoping this way and that while she made her choices. "Vay! Sun's out, c'mon," the woman further encouraged; the houluh were more distracted by her voice than anything for now. Though the winter had been pretty mild, Ivaylo had been holing herself up in Lethalia's... house. Because she was the only desert-dweller the satyr had ever owned, she'd rather underestimated how she'd have to keep the hen warm in the colder months. Until she kept inviting herself in to lay on the warm hearth, and the satyr kind of just... let her. It wasn't like she could just let the hen be cold all winter! She could get a nest lamp for Vay's unused shed to make it more enticing, but truth be told she was simply too soft on the creatures she raised. hardy|3
Ivaylo is not leveling
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Post by Lethalia on Mar 10, 2021 23:25:21 GMT -6
Leth just couldn't bring herself to make the young hen stay outside. It was a lot just to say that yes, she was keeping a fully grown hen in the living room. Tail up and alert, Foggy trotted a little closer to the fence to see the movement from the house. It was usually their owner that came from there, and both houluh glanced up at her face just to confirm she wasn't the thing moving in the doorway. Seeming to deem it fit enough outside to crawl out, the hen spread her diminutive wings in some of the warmer rays of sun she'd experienced so far. Just like a cat, rays of sunlight were her joy. Leth hoped the summer would make her happier compared to the desert whelp who had to grow up in the cold. "There's tha' pretty girl!"The fence and entire front yard was still between them and the hen, so Foggy felt brave enough to get close enough to stick her nose through the slats in the fence. Besides, the big beast's eyes weren't on them yet. Already she'd been into plenty of figurative (and probably plenty of literal) shit around the farm, she'd gotten good at spotting when the big beasties were staring her down. hardy|4
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Post by Lethalia on Mar 10, 2021 23:30:54 GMT -6
Ears perking, Foggy looked over her shoulder where she was certain she'd find Maple. She was so certain her partner in crime would be coming along, it was a surprise to not see her trailing in her own footsteps. Foggy twisted around to see where she'd gotten off to, flinching and tucking her tail at a sudden yipe just behind their owner. Maple, once she recovered from the shock from the sight of that monster enough to move a muscle, didn't take it in quite such stride. She flew to the end of her leash in the opposite direction, bawling at the grave danger she was in. Grateful enough they wore harnesses instead of collars, Maple still looked so frenzied Lethalia was concerned she'd likely manage to harm herself regardless. In her worried thrashing against the leash, Maple's long leg caught on it, generating a high-pitched wail. It's got me it's got me I'm dead!!! Lethalia gave her some slack and the pup went tumbling to the ground, struggling to get off of her side fast enough to lunge and latch onto the thing that'd grabbed her. As if her life depended on it, her grip was sure and vicious. Maple lv|7 ly|10 Foggy lv|15 ly|30 hardy|5
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