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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 17:14:16 GMT -6
The reward went well appreciated, instantly perking the plant back up - even if just for a second. Like any other living being, it needed to stay hydrated under stress! Xentus wasn’t sure if this was the best way to keep a nyssa primed for training, but it seemed to be working. A mental note was made regarding the research he’d need to do on the matter. Now, to keep the momentum going. Another set of weights were removed to lighten the load and make completing the workout a bit easier on the creature. Eden seemed to appreciate the gesture as well, eyeing between the leopard and the set of weights. “Ready, Eden? Just a little bit more, dear sapling” The words accompanied a gentle press to get things started back up. Eden took the signal and began its squat, getting used to this motion at this point. Steadily down… Then struggle back up!
Eden: Str Training 9
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 17:14:27 GMT -6
There was one final rep in the set, then they’d call it good on the weight training. “One more time, Eden”, Xentus instructed, even if the plant didn’t quite understand his words. With some pressure on its neck, it got the idea to continue with its task. Some leaves rustled in reply before the nyssa began lowering back down to the ground in a squat. It rested for a brief moment before pushing up against the weight and gravity, straining its muscles visibly in the form of quaking. Xentus was ready to catch or steady the creature should it need his assistance, hovering just beside the sapling with cautious hands. But it seemed it wouldn’t be necessary. Eden beared down against the ground and managed the final squat without aid. “Yes! Good job, Eden!”, Xentus praised warmly, “Take a break, it is well earned” As the weights began to lift one by one, Eden seemed ever more relieved to be freed.
Eden: Str Training 10
- Checkpoint! Eden Strength Training (+1) -
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 19:02:10 GMT -6
> Training continued... The second half of their training came the next day. Eden was looking refreshed and ready to go, and maybe even a bit taller and thicker around the trunk! Xentus might’ve simply imagined it, but he liked to think all this effort they were putting in already had results. It also could’ve simply been the fairly fast growth rate of the young nyssa. Eden was still a growthing young sapling - it wasn’t even at half its full size. Regardless, there was still more work to be done. The duo returned to their former post at the sand pit and Xentus set the scene. Water, fans, a massive sandbag, smaller sandbags, and various weights. Today’s goal was practical strength training, getting Eden to use his body to ward off adversaries. A punching bag wasn’t exactly imposing nor threatening in any way, so Xentus began with an example. “Like this, Eden!”, he proclaimed as he kicked the hefty bag. He managed to knock it over, falling limp onto the ground.
Eden: Str Training 1
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 19:02:25 GMT -6
Eden watched carefully with amber eyes looking between the man, the sandbag, and the pit. It… Didn’t seem to get it. Some leaves rustled as if to applaud the man’s efforts, returning the encouragement the man would give it. He laughed as he set back up the bag, taking it in stride. “Now, give this a try, Eden”, Xentus said as he knelt beside the sapling. He took up its short tail in his hands and guided it to touch the side of the punching bag. Eden stumbled about while being led by the tail, but let the man move it as he needed. Some grating of the jaws announced its confusion.. But it seemed to take in a vague idea of its new job here. Touch tail to bag. It could do that. Xentus put in more force to the movement, causing more stumbling. The hint was taken - touch tail to bag with strength.
Eden: Str Training 2
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 19:02:42 GMT -6
“Yes, like that Eden! With ah… More!” The task was kept simple for the overall dim-witted creature. As much as he would’ve liked to give the sapling more credit toward its keenness, this just wasn’t its forte. Knocking over a sandbag, however, was an easy enough task to get a grasp of. Eden swung its backside at the bag, hitting it with a resounding thud that reverberated up its trunk. And the bag fell over unceremoniously. Xentus chuckled at the sight and reset the stand-in dummy. “Again! More!” More force, more strength, more power. They didn’t stand before the sand-filled pit for nothing. He wanted to see the young sapling send that dummy flying into the sands! Eden no doubt had the prowess to do so, it just needed coordination. The man stepped in to guide the nyssa’s clumsy waltz, prompting it to rely more on its tail for power.
Eden: Str Training 3
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 19:02:57 GMT -6
With its balance shifted toward its backside (and being an already bottom-heavy creature), Eden’s swing felt a bit more substantial. A thump then a thud were the results of its efforts. The sandbag was pushed back a couple of inches before falling to the floor. “Yes, very good, Eden!”, Xentus praised with excitement in his voice. They were getting somewhere! Slowly, sure, but it was progress. A reward of water poured over its roots was its reward for the efforts thus far, then they began again. “Try once more, Eden” The words were accompanied by a physical push, to which Eden took as the signal to perform its job again. It liked this job too. The nyssa solidified its footing and took another swing at the dummy, giving it a solid whack. It was nudged further away this time, showing great promise to the leopard. A solid start, but they could do better!
Eden: Str Training 4
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 19:03:07 GMT -6
The leopard’s idea of encouraging more force to be used was adding weight to the nyssa’s tail. With more strength needed to swing it at all, more strength should naturally be used when striking the sandbag. With some wrapping and careful weight placement, the nyssa was primed for the next attempt. “Come on, Eden. Xentus wants to see better”, the man pushed, then prompted the sapling to try again. Eden took a couple of steps in place to get a feel for the redistribution of weight on itself, then gave the sandbag a good thwack with its tail. It was moved further yet, tipping into the sand-filled pit with a resounding plop. Now they were starting to get somewhere. “Yes! Like that! More Eden!”, the man cheered and pushed, demanding even more effort from the plant. He dragged the bag from the pit and set it back up before prompting the next attempt.
Eden: Str Training 5
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 20:52:58 GMT -6
The added weight on the nyssa seemed to be working in terms of prompting more power from it. And for a moment, he thought to add more. He wasn’t sure at what point there would be diminishing returns, but even if he couldn’t get the nyssa to send the bag flying, he could at least challenge its ability to perform. Such a measure would need to wait until it was proven Eden didn’t get the full grasp of the current exercise, however. The nyssa lined itself up for the next swing, thumping its tail against the ground to amp itself up before making its next move. The sound reverberated within the nyssa itself more than it did the ground, amusingly enough. But it was a telltale sign that the creature was getting the gist of this new exercise. It lashed out with its tail, putting in more heft to the motion as it turned its whole body. The bark of its skin groaned slightly as its tail impacted the sandbag.
Eden: Str Training 6
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 20:53:10 GMT -6
The improv dummy was sent off a couple of feet away, landing in the sand pit with a small cloud rising from the site of impact. Xentus looked on, impressed by the feat. Now that’s what he wanted to see! But of course, he wanted more. He knew the young sapling had some more power than that. It might be reaching, but limit testing was the goal here. “Well done, Eden!”, the man praised as he spritzed the creature with water, “Xentus is proud!” The sapling took in both water and praise happily, rustling its leaves with pleasure. Knowing it did something right made it feel like it did a job well done. The celebration was brief, however, as there was still work left to do. A few minutes to rest, then it was back to this strange game of baseball. Instead of dragging the target from the pit, Xentus led the sapling into the coarse, rough sand. This would be the next step up in difficulty.
Eden: Str Training 7
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 20:53:24 GMT -6
The sandbag was propped up once more, and Eden was given the prompt to swing. It looked unsure about these new circumstances, however. Its wary eyes lingered on its keeper for a reassurance, to which Xentus gave it a rub on the head. “Go on, Eden” It paused, considering the new texture of the ground, before trying to give the punching bag another swing of the tail. And stumbled. And fell into the sand. A chuckle escaped the leopard as he helped the nyssa to its feet. “Try again” The lack of sure footing made this a lot harder, but the sapling wasn’t discouraged just yet. It rooted itself as well as it could in the loose texture of the sand, and gave another swing of the tail against the target. This time, its tail connected, giving the sandbag a solid thump. While it wasn’t sent flying, it did tumble back further into the bunker with a good amount of force.
Eden: Str Training 8
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 20:53:38 GMT -6
“Yes!”, Xentus cheered, wallowing through the sand to reach the toppled target, “More, Eden! Come along!” His voice was growing ever more excited with each attempt. Seeing the efforts of the nyssa was inspiring. Eden hobbled over to him, basking in this excited tone as well, before refocusing on the job it had to do - hit the lump with the stump. It took a moment to gain its bearings in the sand before lashing out with its tail with force, toppling itself over after impact with the sandbag. Xentus did his best to catch the nyssa while his ears flicked toward the thump of the target hitting the sand. “Steady now, Eden”, the man chuckled as he steadied the creature, “Good job, dear sapling” Its wood groaned as it regained its balance as if aching from the either tumble or the impact. Xentus took that as a sign that it likely was getting tired as well.
Eden: Str Training 9
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 20:53:57 GMT -6
That was alright, they’d get a couple more swings in and call it good there. Eden put in a great amount of effort thus far, and it was best not to overdo it lest it might end up injured. The bag was reset and Xentus took a step back, prompting the nyssa to try again. Eden seemed ready, beared down on the sand, and gave it all it could with its tail. A solid thud sounded as the sandbag was flung a few feet away in the bunker, landing with a puff of kicked up sand. It was looking like great progress with this exercise, Xentus was swelling with pride. Now, for the last go of it before he called it a day. The added weight was removed from the nyssa’s tail, giving it relief and a lighter step. Its leaves rustled in surprise, finding the lightness in its back end quite refreshing. “Alright, Eden. Once more!” The stage was set for the final swing. The sapling stepped up and got its footing secured before lashing out tail first. Sand was flung out as the target was launched across the bunker. With no short amount of praise to the sapling, Xentus called it a wrap for the day.
Eden: Str Training 10- Checkpoint! Eden Strength Training (+1) -
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 22:23:49 GMT -6
> Training continued... | Items; [Leg Weights, purchase processing]
Post Req: 10 |
They were back for their final stint at the gym. Eden underwent a massive growth spurt since their last visit, growing taller than Xentus at this point! His sapling was now a proper tree. Even so, there was still plenty of room to grow. The duo stalked about the gym for a place to set up, eventually settling on the indoor waterfall area. There were various hand-sized weight bags scattered about the room, giving hint to exactly how others toughened up their creature’s hides. This wasn’t going to be fun, but it was necessary. With a sigh, Xentus took up a smaller weight and tossed it up and down in his palm.
“Eden… Xentus apologizes in advance”, the man said quietly, a sheepish look in his eyes. The nyssa seemed unsure why he seemed shy about whatever job he was going to give it, but rustled its leaves in reassurance.
Eden: Res Training 1
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 22:24:12 GMT -6
He really didn’t have the heart to pelt the nyssa with sandbags. There had to be a better way of going about this. What if… It held its ground against something strong. The waterfall offered this, roaring on the far side of the room. It wouldn’t be exciting, but easing into the tumultuous waters would be a start. The sandbag was tossed and the great tree was led into the water. The refreshing liquid was soaked in for a moment by the nyssa’s roots before it continued after its keeper. Water started pattering against its leaves. The roar of the falls were unpleasant, but not unbearable. And slowly, Xentus began pushing the nyssa to stand deeper under the flow. A rustle of protest went unheard over the falls. Eden stood its ground for a brief moment to make sure the man really wanted this, to which the force of his hand remained firm. “This won’t be fun, Eden!”, Xentus yelled over the waters.
Eden: Res Training 2
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Post by Xentus on Apr 14, 2024 22:24:25 GMT -6
But it was the last step of their training. After this, his guardian would be primed and ready for whatever challenge there was to face. And given the looming start date of the tournament, Xentus knew he needed to test the nyssa’s prowess then. Eden was pushed deeper under the roaring fall, pelted by the harsh water. Its bark held firm under the relentless assault, but if it could bruise it probably would. The force of the falls wasn’t to be trifled with. Eden endured the waters with disdain, accepting this as its new job. This watering can was not very nice! But if it was to stand guard under these conditions, it would. “Very good Eden! Try to endure this, dear tree!”, Xentus yelled over the roar, stepping back to observe the scene. He’d let the nyssa brace itself against the falls for a few minutes before trying something else. If he could find some sort of means to have, say, a heavy cart pushing against the tree instead, that might suffice as an alternative…
Eden: Res Training 3
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