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Post by Xentus on Nov 21, 2023 22:18:03 GMT -6
Another day passed before Elysian began to stir. The screech of glass sliding on glass alerted the leopard to something amiss. He found the bird making small, subtle twitches, as if dislodging stuck pieces of itself. A head jerk, followed by a wing shifting, and then pores opening. Wisps of prismatic foxfire escaped the openings, looking more like smoke than flames. "Easy now", the man cooed quietly, hands in front of himself as if ready to somehow wrangle the bird should it begin flailing about. He knew he likely wouldn't be able to manage such a feat on his own and called his Astraea. The golem, always near, came to his side with haste. (Its awake), the obvious was stated with an urgent tone.
'Yes.. And Xentus is unsure how this large babe will react to its first moments in the world of being' The halfbreed had no experience growing comfortably from youngling to adult as most other creatures would. Elysian was fully formed, mimicking the visage of a winged raptor. And it could face the world in an erratic state upon fully waking. Xentus stared intensely at the bird as its wings cracked away from its body and tail tendrils began unfurling.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 21, 2023 22:48:06 GMT -6
Finally, its head creaked from the stiff curled position, craning up into the air as if drawing in its first breath.
Then, it fell.
The entire creature came crashing down onto the floor of his study. Xentus, startled, couldn't decide whether or not to rush to its aid or to keep his distance. His heart pounded in his throat. Frozen, he watched. Its body twitched, sending ripples down its surface from beak to tail. The pulses came every few seconds. It looked like it was taking in short breaths, wracking its being with every inhale. Whether or not the creature truly drew breath was yet a mystery.
(I don't like this. Stay back, o' bonded mine), the golem warned as she positioned herself between the crossbreed and her keeper. Her carapace-encased seed carefully inspected the pulsating creature, trying to determine what thread it might pose. And yet... She found that it looked oddly pathetic. The bird couldn't seem to find purchase on the ground with its feet, let alone raise its body in any fashion. A stark contrast to the elegant look it had as a tightly bound mass. It struggled to right itself on the floor, feebly pushing its wings into wood in an attempt to gain some grounding.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 21, 2023 23:21:41 GMT -6
(Is it... Hurt?)
The sense of danger she had now faded to concern. An extension of Xentus' own worry for the glass bird reflected upon the golem. 'It acts like a newly hatched chick', the man informed her, 'Not hurt, this one thinks. Merely new to the world' Given its recent creation, it wasn't too bold of an assumption to make.
(Do we aid it?), Astraea's voice came, genuine and pure. But much to her surprise, Xentus shook his head. This ordeal, though heart-wrenching to witness, was a crucial part of a young bird's development. They needed to gather the strength for themselves to live. Though, to contrary belief, it is okay to help them hatch should the struggle prove too great. Elysian was going through the motions of emerging from its egg, and so it seemed only fitting to let it be. The notion was passed back to Astraea, who then let down her guard. The two watched for a moment longer with held breath before settling themselves into a more relaxed state. There was little else to do but watch, really. Xentus wasn't sure how long the process might take, so he sat on the floor with the golem beside him. He'd be near, and take the opportunity for the bird to imprint upon him.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 21, 2023 23:46:16 GMT -6
Again, assuming it would in the first place. Part of him wanted to be rewarded with some kind of special bond between himself and the glass phoenix. Like what he had with Astraea. The thoughts paused there. No, not like what he had with Astraea. Something else. The golem's bond with him was one he wanted her to overcome, after all. To live beyond her instinct, to challenge her nature. He wouldn't wish willing servitude upon a creature. No, he wanted that overcome version. Whether or not Elysian would follow in the steps of its heritage or find its own path was a story to be told. Yet somehow, Xentus had the feeling it may very well be the case. He felt no instant bond like with the golems upon first touching their seed. That was the first good sign. He was looking forward to whatever relationship would be molded between himself and the glass bird.
The two onlookers were dutiful in their watch. It took hours before the crossbreed managed to rest on its belly and hold its own head properly, a few hours more before it properly tucked its wings and rose to its feet. It was shaky and uncertain of its footing. It fell a few times in the passed hours, but it never gave in.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 21, 2023 23:58:14 GMT -6
Over the course of the night, the bird seemed to gather more and more strength. The shaky legs became surefooted. Its posture grew regal and elegant. And its hollow eyes opened, letting its gaze finally fall upon the leopard and its parent. Xentus wondered whether or not it used those empty eyes to see or if it was like the golem and used its core to observe its surroundings. It seemed to be looking at them and yet, not. Looking past them felt more appropriate to deem. This was the same feel he had with Varus and Gid. Those hollow eyes somehow seeing without actual eyeballs was fairly disconcerting, thought he often did his best to distract his mind from thinking about it too hard. The same courtesy would need to extend to Elysian, it would seem. Empty eyes aside, the phoenix now seemed to gather its wits and examine its surroundings. Its head browsed the study slowly, the rest of its body unmoving. And markedly, no sound was made between all three in the room aside from the leopard's stifled breaths. He felt there was much to say, an introduction at the very least, yet now simply was not the time.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 29, 2023 23:00:40 GMT -6
Morning had crested upon the land before Xentus and Astraea interacted with the awakened glass bird more personally. They found it still in the study, seemingly in the exact same spot it had been before they'd set off for bed. Yet subtle disturbances around the room betrayed Elysian's innocence guise. A couple of books on the floor, ash footprints trailing here and there.
(Someone had been busy this night), Astraea commented dryly, examining the mild disturbances about the study.
'Ah, nothing but the curiosity of a young soul my dear'
Xentus was hardly concerned about the mess. He was relieved for it, if anything. It was a sign of life and freedom, the will to explore. All things he could appreciate in a companion - these were traits reflective of himself. The man's blue eyes rested on the glass bird with a shimmer of wonder. The bird seemed to stare off at the wall. It had been stark still upon their entry, perhaps startled by the disturbance.
(Bonded mine, why such lack of your usual fanfare of cooing?), the golem's hollow tone rung in his mind, unintentionally calling him out. The leopard straightened in surprise and sheepishly smiled with his reply- 'Xentus is merely taking his time. Patience, patience'
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Post by Xentus on Nov 29, 2023 23:13:11 GMT -6
Yes, he usually would be taking the lead with introductions and taming whatever beast who's company he found himself in. He was excited to, especially for the glass bird. Yet, he felt the need to stifle the anxiety and take the slow approach. To follow Elysian's lead, match its energy. And that energy at the moment was... Stagnant. He knew of no stimulus to encourage the bird either. There was no food he knew it would eat which he could offer. No toy that it might play with. It seemed unfazed by his presence. If it were disinterested, he could at least gauge some approach to interact from there. Yet, he and Astraea remained unacknowledged entirely.
Astraea felt an itch. The audible silence was somehow maddening. The lack of motion was suffocating. She felt the urge to make something happen. It was what her bonded desired, it must have been. That first spark to set off the beginning of a new relationship. She wanted it too. That itch, was it some sort of parenting instinct, though her kind had none? Or was it simply what she had been impressioned for what it would feel like? The mental quandary was too much for her to stand idly by.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 29, 2023 23:33:38 GMT -6
The glass golem stalked slowly toward the bird. It was larger than her, sleek as she was, and brimming with power. None of this sparked any particular sense of wonder from her, unlike the leopard. She accepted it for what it was. The golem's form slinked around the bird, seeming to examine it from all angles. Xentus watched with a hint of concern, but allowed it to be. It was rare that Astraea would make the first move or try to invoke something. The mammalian slowly followed up in the golem's approach. His footsteps were as silent as he could make them, as if trying to not disturb the creature. Once he felt himself at a comfortable closeness, he crouched and watched on.
Astraea reached with her shelled head to nudge the bird.
The solid liquid rippled in response to her touch, bristling almost as if offended. Slowly, the bird creaked its head toward its parent, staring down at her with empty eyes. Glass mimicking feathers raised atop its entire body, making the sleek beast appear larger and prickly. The sound of glass scraping on glass filled the room as Elysian loomed over Astraea, head lowering and slowly approaching the now-cowering golem.
(I do -not- like this...)
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Post by Xentus on Nov 29, 2023 23:57:57 GMT -6
The mammalian's ears were pinned backward, a strained grimace on his face as he tried to assess the situation. It appeared to be a defensive response, yet also an act of intimidation? Defensive intimidation was a strategy in some birds. The man wracked his mind for the best approach.
'Cower not, dear Astraea', he advised carefully, 'Stay your ground and steady yourself'
Normally, such a request would be far easier said than done. However, with this intrinsic devotion the golem held for her bonded, these words were a command which she could hardly disobey. Even if every fiber of her wits called for self-preservation, she could not deny her heart.
The glass golem straightened and stood firm.
Elysian continued its approach, wings now beginning to lift from its sides, head twisting and four-part beak spreading threateningly. The display stopped inches away from Astraea's shelled head. Movement from both parties ceased, the two remained locked in a staredown. And Xentus dared not interrupt.
'That's it, Astraea. There is little harm the bird can bring despite the threat it warns to impose', the man said with far too much certainty. Of course, he knew nothing of what capabilities the crossbreed truly possessed.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 30, 2023 0:13:05 GMT -6
A hummed tone of acknowledgement was passed to the leopard in response. She trusted him. After a tense minute or two passed, Elysian began to calm its stature. The bristling glass smoothed and its body relaxed. It stayed face to face with the golem for a prolonged moment more before too retracting its head to a more comfortable position. Its hollow eyes still seemed to stay locked on the golem however.
Astraea cocked her head and returned the stare. Her shell parts shuffled to a more comfortable viewing angle, allowing her inner seed to see the entire visage of the bird more clearly. And interestingly, the bird seemed to adjust its beak in a mimicking fashion. There was little more than opening and closing that it could do with the structure, however. Astraea would've blinked in confusion if she had eyelids to do so. Instead, her shell opened like a beak, then closed.
Elysian copied.
'How curious', the leopard mused to the linked golem, 'Whatever the purpose for its movements now, Xentus does not know. Perhaps it sees itself in its reflection?' His tone was cheeky. While the two glass beings were hardly mirror images, they were undoubtedly related. Seeing the first realization of such from the bird was fascinating.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 3, 2023 22:16:55 GMT -6
Astraea did not respond to her master's ramblings. Sometimes, his words did not provoke the need to reply. Sometimes, she merely needed time to contemplate his words. This time, the silence seemed strange somehow. The golem seemed fixated. The shell opened once again in quarters, slightly exposing the vulnerable seed within. It stared at the bird, who again did much the same. It's four-part beak opened, though unlike the golem, its heart-core was encased deep within its chest. Still, this didn't prevent the next act.
Elysian's head lowered, calmly, to be level with Astraea's. It looked endearing, this mimicry. Face to face, parent and child. The bond between the two was looking to form wonderfully... It wasn't until the two began to interlock that Xentus realized what was going on.
"Astraea! You mustn't!"
The cry was spoken both aloud and within the mind. This scene was one he'd seen many times before. Golem stalkers, upon meeting another, would instinctually interlock shells and merge seeds to create offspring. This process destroyed the parents in the process, but with the times he'd willed for this process to occur in the past, this was something he'd come to accept. It was part of the process to create Astraea herself.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 3, 2023 22:52:16 GMT -6
Elysian and Astraea clamped down on one another. The interlocked shell and beak didn't align well, the shapes and sizes were too different. This was the point when the two seeds of golems would merge. The obvious problem was the lack of anything to merge with. The two were locked together with no purpose behind the act, aside from being driven off instinct. With both her master's cry and the only sight to be seen being but a faux-tongue, the golem snapped out of the trance. Again, she would've blinked if only she had the eyelids to do so.
(I cannot), the hollow tone rang in response after a brief moment, (Regardless, I apologize for this unwarranted behavior... I do not know what came over me)
Relief washed over the leopard's soul. He remained frozen in place, scared that any motion might provoke the sudden jerk of the head by the much larger hybrid. Given the golem's vulnerable state in this condition, he needed to be exceptionally careful. 'Dear Astraea, Xentus feared he was about to lose you and Elysian too...'
The two creatures remained interlocked and motionless while the bonded pair conversed.
'He does not blame you, this act was merely instinct, dear. It is a driving force which may overcome even the most sensible of beings'
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Post by Xentus on Dec 3, 2023 23:31:03 GMT -6
'Much like a strong emotions such as love, fear, or hatred. It is oft far easier to give in to it than to resist', the man added, trying to assure both himself and his ward. Instinct was like an emotion of the body instead of an emotion of the mind. An urge of the body for survival of the self and species.
(This was not your will, o' bonded mine), she commented regretfully, (Nor is it my own) 'Astraea, fret not. It seems no harm has happened here, yes?', Xentus asked calmingly, to which Astraea confirmed, 'Now then, free yourself before harm does come to you'
(... I appear to be stuck) Xentus nervously inhaled through his teeth at hearing this. Looking carefully, he could see why. The golem had released, but Elysian had not. Its piercing break held firmly to the hard shell, finding the natural peep-holes to be a convenient spot to latch onto. Even if there was no way for the two to merge, it seemed the natural instinct to try to regardless was still there. A carryover from its parent. An instinct it acquired, much like how he suspected it might try preening or verbalizing despite the futility of either act.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 1:32:19 GMT -6
As much as he wanted not to provoke the hybrid creature into needless motions, it seemed he had no choice but to involve himself now. There goes his desire for it to come to him first. The safety of both creatures was of utmost importance, and this locked state was particularly dangerous for the golem. Xentus carefully began to make his way across the study, doing his best to be quiet and smooth. Though Elysian didn't seem to respond too much to sudden noise or movement, as it grew more familiar to the world, it might begin to find reason to react. The other problem was that he wasn't quite sure how to remove the glass bird from its parent. His first thought was manual prying. Elysian was larger than himself and likely stronger to boot, however, so the odds of it working felt slim. The next thought was to try to distract the glass bird with something else. What might pique the thing's interest though, was still something he was thinking over. With the two creatures now within arm's reach, he gave his first idea a try and hoped Astraea would remain unharmed. 'Here goes nothing', he thought to himself as he eyed Elysian in particular.
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Post by Xentus on Dec 4, 2023 1:54:01 GMT -6
The glass bird seemed unmoved by his presence and approach. It was further unmoved when the man gripped its beak. Xentus found that its hold was firm; a gentle touch wasn't going to work here. "Elysian, release", the leopard commanded, knowing full well the bird wouldn't understand his words. But it did provoke a reaction. A twitch. A subtle turn of the head toward the man, which subsequently nudged Astraea along with it. Its four hollow eyes seemed to stare at him. Wondering. Xentus was slightly unnerved, but stood firm. He was determined to free Astraea, after all. The golem didn't struggle for herself, instead opting to be at the mercy of her much larger progeny.
"Let go, Elysian"
The words were accompanied by more tugging on the golden beak. Another twitch was the bird's response. A slight turn of the head now. Contemplating. The signs were clear - it was paying attention to him. It didn't seem to get the point, but it seemed to try. Subtly, granted. If he hadn't been so close and in direct contact with the creature, he'd hardly be able to notice it. Xentus stared at it with a stern look. If it inherited the golem's will-sensing instinct, surely it would soon obey.
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