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Post by Flare on May 31, 2021 6:52:24 GMT -6
"To the person who owns Percy the Rakai: Its been a pleasure taking care of your animal for the specified amount of time. Never have seen a dog who is afraid of birds, and now I understand why. Pethian seabirds are nasty beasts. With luck, he should be less of a scaredy cat around fast moving objects or animals, scary things and loud noises. Seeing him a as grown adult will be a proud moment for any beast keeper. I do have a request though; I have a baakir, a sahel. You might have seen them in the city paper over the results of one of the previous pit tournaments. She has seen some intimidating looking animals. She needs to be calm at all times around scary creatures, as the next tournament likely will feature some true monsters. Non unique doesn't sound very calming to me. If it would be of use, would you be able to calm her nerves around intimidating animals and people? It will be worth your time, as I am willing to do an exchange of taking on Percy the rakai again for you. I have little experience with training beside basic tricks and such, but I think this exchange could benefit both of us. With haste and a sincere greeting." x.20
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Post by Èdan on May 31, 2021 11:23:27 GMT -6
The man had two types of post - The kind that arrived to the manor's gate and the kind that arrived to a quaint little inn deeper dock-side, where a pleasant but quite blind old lady happily collected any and all letters addressed to a certain individual. She never seemed to remember said individual ever actually renting a room, but that didn't seem to bother her. The courier often visited said quaint little inn (When he was up and about town) and collected any notices or letters. Most times it was empty, and the lady merely handed him some pamphlets that made rounds the City like a paper trash mill.
That particular day, it came with an actual letter. The courier flips through the thin stack as usual, taking up a little side table of the common room, when a folded piece of paper shows up with some odd scribbling. His head cocks, but there's a look of curiosity, as he folds open the letter and reads the message within. A few moments later, there's a smirk and he calls to borrow a pen from the old lady, scribbling back a reply.
It's left with the lady, to be given to the same gentleman who had sent the first one. Essentially, it's a folded pamphlet, but the blank back side reads, in lazy writing:
"To the person who owns the sahel baakir, Pit champion.
It's best not to knock on the seabirds, for they are a vindictive sort with little mercy. The rakai's behaviour has certainly improved since your handling of it, but I fear you're right that there's more to do. Alas, my own experience with the beasts is limited enough as well.. But what would you propose? And how much 'fear' would we be talking about here?
- A"
. 1 .
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Post by Flare on May 31, 2021 13:52:49 GMT -6
The tumaian wasn't sure he'd even receive an answer; for there is no specific name or face to the owner behind that cowardly little puppy. Maybe his own writing is a bit difficult to understand because although he has tried very hard to write common script, it always has an accent of his home in it. Like a lingering attachment he clearly does not have. The pamphlet is jammed into his fence gate as the tumaian has no mail box. They could've sent it to the Warden but the mammalian almost always opens the mail first; laws be damned, they don't apply to monkey-things. He opens it, and reads the reply. Its also in an odd writing style, but he feels the need to reply back. "To -A; My own grown rakai took a long time to pick up tricks that I taught him myself, but I also worked him alongside a similar species of semi similar temperment, but a difference in age. Percy might take well to interaction with other canines his own age who are learning similar. Would you like to perform a trade of task? I can take Percy for a time to work him on what my own rakai knows, and you can work with Lisan. As for 'fear', in my studies, these prey animals, even as large as baakir, freeze up when confronted by something very intimidating, be it a scary look or a vibe off something else. If she can stand her ground against those animals, she might stand a chance, or to just ram them with her size. What's your take. Lisan is much unlike your previously very cowardly Percy. -F" x.20
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Post by Èdan on May 31, 2021 14:07:16 GMT -6
The next day sees the courier inhabit the same little corner table, ponderously reading the reply to the letter. This time around he had the mind to bring a folded piece of paper with him - Just in case, you never knew where this venture would lead - to scribble out a reply to. But before he can write a reply, he has to think on what to say. Copper eyes stare out the window at the dock street beyond, as he sits, hands folded, with the jaw set to gnawing on a consideration.
'A vibe off something else'. Well that's not going to be difficult. All he'd have to do is stare at the thing and it's as like to bolt as trample him. But what were these baakir things anyway? Last he'd heard that term, it was about something shoulder height, long neck and gangly legs. Didn't seem that difficult.. Spook it enough times until it gets fed up with it. Right?
Eventually, he scribbles out a reply.
"To F, the baakir owner,
Your deal's a tempting one.. and your advice comes appreciated. The pup could use a few lessons on how to fish.. or if not that, how to swim - The thing's all too reckless and not at all able to deal with making mistakes around water at the moment. So I'll take your offer. Let me know when and where and I'll see what I can do about putting some spine into the beast. We can detail the pup's training in turn.
- A"
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Post by Flare on May 31, 2021 14:31:52 GMT -6
A spine would definitely benefit if Lisan had to defend the herd from any encroaching loose sarane or other predators of the forest. The tumaian wonders about how to teach the little rakai on how and what Shabh knew. How to fish huh... he'd only gone to the river once and not entirely on his own power. Not a memory he wished to think up. But this wasn't about him, it was about a trade of service. Lisan hadn't been taught by him, but by another trainer. So he had no idea how to handle the tall and not so gangly grazer. He twirled a pencil in his fingers before writing A's reply. "To A, the rakai owner, Fishing and how to swim sounds like a beneficial pair of skills to learn. My own rakai can learn alongside him, so he'll have an older creature to be guided by as well. I thought it would be good for him to learn to bring things to you and put them at your feet when told to. So if he's fishing and catches something, could bring it to you rather then eat it. This for putting some spine into my baakir, and we have a deal. Let us meet later as detailed. -F" x.20
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Post by Èdan on May 31, 2021 14:39:07 GMT -6
Another day another reply, as the courier reads it at the usual table. Like as not, the added suggestion for teaching the pup how to retrieve things just about puts an icing on the cake. If nothing else because he doesn't imagine there being any other way he could get the damned thing to drop anything it's trying to gobble down post-haste. The only reason it hadn't happened yet is because the leash had been just short enough to prevent it.
Ah, the peace of mind to be had if the pup would just.. listen to words. In truth he feels as though he might be getting the better end of the deal here.
A reply is scribbled back on another piece of paper, slightly torn on the edges:
"To F,
We have a deal, friend. Just leave a note on the when and where, and I'll notify you as soon as it's done. You may pick up the rakai pup two days from now at the docks, details to follow.
- A"
. 3 .
(added)
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Post by Èdan on Jun 4, 2021 16:13:52 GMT -6
It is a few days later, but eventually a letter finds its way to a specific fence gate. The paper looks a little worn than the latter two letters, and there's some muddy prints on it, with weathering on the side. Either the delivery person hadn't done much to wash their hands, or the letter had already taken a nature walk before it was finally completed.
Inside, loose handwriting details the following:
"To F, the holder of the sahel baakir,
The job is done. I will be very surprised if any sort of predator tries their hand at facing down Lisan after this. It will stand its ground and then some, and shouldn't spook to anything short of an apocalypse. You will find it in the yard, as detailed. It should be said you might need to be cautious. The beast has a new sense of importance, so it might be.. a little unwieldy, at first. Be sure to approach slowly, if it doesn't like you all too much. If it does, there shouldn't be anything to worry about. Probably.
I expect the deal is still in force? Let me know when the pup is ready.
- A"
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Post by Flare on Jun 22, 2021 15:07:46 GMT -6
The deal is still in force. The tumaian has to hold the letter up out of reach to avoid excited puppy snatching. The pup in question plants his paws on his sitter’s wooden knee, head tilted in an adoring fashion, punctuating his want of the smelly that smelled of Master with a long drawn out whine. Only to give a yip of surprised to be picked up by the scruff by the bigger rakai and carried off to be distracted elseplace. Thank you Shabh. Now where was his writing sticks… “To A, the rakai owner; It has taken a good deal more time then I expected, but your pup has all the basics of swimming learned alongside my own rakai. For good measure, he also has learned to stay by common command, out of the water. If he is distracted, the desire to jump on in is lessened somewhat. I might suggest of bringing a toy or a chew for him to entertain with if you wish for him to stay out of the water and not make noise about it. Our next stop is the mansion, and I have in mind to teach him the basics of retrieval. It should help pave the way to learn how to fish effectively and not have him eat his finds as quickly. Yes, the deal is still in force. I will be in contact when the pup is ready. -F” x.20
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Post by Flare on Oct 11, 2021 4:25:23 GMT -6
Repetition will be the death of learning a new skill for him. The animals arent' stupid but would likely link a hand signal sooner then 'catch a fish' to the pup. Rubbing his temples a little bit, the letter laid out on his knees, still unfinished. His heart is still a bit racey from seeing the rakai trying to splash around in the garden pond. Making sure throughly that his seryn wasn't a dinner item, and likely planning some sort of fence around the pool, the humanish finally looks back at the letter, like its been watching him judgementally. "To A, the rakai's owner. I think we have made a breakthrough. Percy is figuring out the idea between catching a fish, and bringing it to you. Though you may have more success catching his eye with sinking shiny stationary objects then actual fish in smaller tendencies, as we started there. He's picking up the command a bit slow but its at least progress. Once he's not bringing me only fish heads, you should expect another letter to discuss transfer of your pet back to yourself. Its been a long time, and I appreciate all your hard work with Lisan back in the spring. -F" 20.20 Lv 90 Flare (for these posts only) x.20
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Post by Èdan on Oct 14, 2021 3:11:17 GMT -6
The dockside inn was preparing for the seasonal festivities much the same as the rest of the city, but mail stopped for no such simple distraction. The courier sits at his usual place, unfolding the paper and eyes scan across it, as a small smirk forms. Yes, well.. that certainly about sums up the pup. One could even say there was a reason he rather preferred someone else to deal with the whole dressage deal, since the pup was a handful when just brought along to fish, as is.
He just hopes this fellow pen pal can finish up shaping that mess into something more useful in the long run (Particularly when it came to the shinies. Chasing scales of fish is one thing, but he seriously doesn't need the pup to start chasing after lures, as if fish himself).
A return letter is assembled, in that same loose handwriting:
"To F,
Time and effort go hand-in-hand, my friend. Thanks for the follow-up, and I don't blame you - The rakai's a handful, for sure. Will be waiting for your notice on when it's done.
Otherwise, you know the usual spot for pickup.
- A"
. 5 . (added)
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