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Post by Emery on Mar 11, 2024 14:56:30 GMT -6
Withstanding the sand was all he had to do though- there was no complicated trick, no hurdle to jump. All he had to do was walk around and take it. And walk he did- Emery let him stay in there until the timer in her coat pocket was up, pacing back and forth and feeding him intermittently. Finally though, the timer rang. Emery walked back to the control panel and slowly turned the intensity down to avoid damaging the machinery. Moxie definitely noticed the change, and leaned up against the wall with relief once it was done. Perhaps normally he would have flopped on the ground, but she imagined he would be trying to avoid touching any more sand for the time being. Then, she set the air to "cleaning mode", slowing blowing the remaining grains into the holes on the floor to be recycled. She exited the door, and went to touch Moxie's hide- no doubt tougher than before.
Emery 5 Moxie 27.0/27.0 Resistance 15
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Post by Emery on Mar 11, 2024 20:19:22 GMT -6
Another day, another round in the training gym. Moxie had done admirably during his resistance training, though it was a whole lot of standing around in extremely unpleasant circumstances. While pressing, it wasn't exactly difficult and it didn't give him a lot to take his mind off of it. Today's training would be a lot more active and, if Emery played her cards right, fun. 'Fun' was normally something she wouldn't even think about, but she had to admit that it had its uses for motivating her pets, especially considering that Moxie likely wouldn't want to put up with the sandblasting room a second time. He did indeed seem to be more hesitant to step over the threshold of the training gym this time after the battering he got last time. His stamina training was net neutral in terms of difficulty, but the resistance training took quite a toll on the kito. Emery 6 Moxie 27.1/27.1 Dexterity 1
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 5:47:24 GMT -6
Dexterity was mostly about improving speed and agility, which was a bit more entertaining the do- she would be interested to see how he could improve his fancy footwork over time. Plus, he really needed it- as it stood, Moxie was a powerful, but slow and lumbering creature. His natural abilities implied a propensity for ambush attacks, but in a tournament match where he was the only other creature around in a relatively empty arena meant that he wasn't going to be able to use that to his advantage most of the time. He'd have to learn to dodge, duck, and weave. With that in mind, Emery walked up to the front desk and checked him in again, with Moxie twitching his tail nervously. As she tugged on his leash to lead him down the hall, Emery tried to sound encouraging. "Don't worry Moxie. This won't be as bad as last time."
Emery 7 Moxie 27.2/27.2 Dexterity 2
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 6:45:46 GMT -6
Her voice however was a blaring monotone, and wouldn't be comforting to any creature. Still, he seemed to relax as they passed the resistance training wing of the gym, traveling towards the back of it. Emery wanted to try training outside today, as she knew the tracks behind the training gym were perfect for teaching creatures speed and nimbleness. Plus, it was a bright, sunny day out today. The temperature was perfect, and the extra light would no doubt help Moxie perk up a bit. The moment she pushed open the door and stepped outside, the kito fanned out all of his leaves and closed his eyes, taking in the light and fresh air. It definitely seemed like he was enjoying himself, so Emery gave him a moment before encouraging him to come along. Confirmed in her decision, Emery started walking past the different tracks, looking for one that was suitable for her purposes.
Emery 8 Moxie 27.3/27.3 Dexterity 3
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 8:46:19 GMT -6
Moxie was happy to just trot after her, enjoying the crisp spring weather. Emery had her eyes on the prize though, examining each track. Eventually she found an area fenced off with chain link, cordoned off for those who might want to train in there without risking other creatures running in on them. The ground in there was littered with hundreds of tightly packed tires. Road vehicles weren't too common in the city, but Emery at least knew what a tire looked like. When she inspected the closest one, she realized that not only that, they were nailed to the ground so they couldn't be easily knocked over, making the whole field difficult to traverse unless you were willing to lift your knees with every step. That would work. "Moxie, follow me." She said, and pulled her pet towards the gate. It came open with a squeal, and soon the pair were safely locked into the field.
Emery 9 Moxie 27.4/27.4 Dexterity 4
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 8:50:34 GMT -6
And just in time too, it seemed. As the sun rose higher in the sky more people were arriving at the training gym, marking off different spaces for their own use. If Emery hadn't snatched this space right off the bat, someone else would have. She dropped her bag on the ground, properly claiming the space. Unfortunately, Moxie immediately started nibbling at the bag and pulling at it with his feet- no doubt looking for treats. "Moxie, no." She scolded. "You'll get them in a minute." She said, and opened the bag up. Inside was a cooler full of chopped up, half frozen meat, and her training timer. The latter she slipped into her coat pocket, already ticking away. The former, she had to keep shoving away Moxie to get at. He was not fantastically patient, and each "no" only held him back for a few moments before he pressed his face in again.
Emery 10 Moxie 28.0/28.0 Dexterity 5
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 19:42:36 GMT -6
Finally, she cracked open the cooler to grab a piece and Moxie leapt back, practically dancing on his feet as she pulled one out. "You want this." She said. It wasn't even a question, the kind of tease someone normally gives their pet when holding a treat in front of their face. It was just a statement. "Then go get it." She said, and launched the meat as hard as she could over the tires. It was admittedly difficult on her shoulder, but luckily the metal supports bolted onto her body under her clothes made such an action far easier than it was immediately after her accident. Moxie instantly tracked the meat as it sailed over the field and took off after it, his strong legs practically making the ground shake beneath them. Even now, Emery was amazed at his strength and speed, though she wouldn't say it to his face.
Emery 1 Moxie 28.1/28.1 Dexterity 6
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 19:47:28 GMT -6
She watched as he ran off after it... and then almost immediately tripped on one of the tires. He wasn't watching where he was going, he was watching where the meat was landing, and so didn't notice that his terrain had changed. Emery cringed as he landed face first directly into another one, his long teeth almost instantly getting caught on the inside hoop. He croaked angrily as he tried pulling himself out, and Emery almost went to help him... but didn't want to risk getting caught on his teeth as well if he lashed out in anger. Luckily, she didn't need to make a decision as the kito finally yanked himself out, slicing off a bit of the tire in the process. He turned around wildly, his head lashing from side to side. At first Emery wondered if he had given himself a concussion before she finally realized- he was looking for where the meat fell.
Emery 2 Moxie 28.2/28.2 Dexterity 7
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 19:53:37 GMT -6
His croaking increased in distress as he couldn't find it. Even Emery wasn't sure where it landed, so she sincerely hoped that the training gym's janitorial staff were skilled enough to go through these tires carefully and clean it out before it went off. Though... that would probably make it easier to find, now wouldn't it? Moxie looked back at Emery as if pleading for help, but there was nothing she could do... except hold up another piece of meat. His distressed croaking pitched up for a moment and stopped as he became overjoyed at the idea of getting a different treat... only for him to trip over another tire on his way back. The distressed croaking came back as he kicked his legs in the air, likely out of anger and frustration rather than trying to get his balance again, mad that he had gotten caught on it a second time.
Emery 3 Moxie 28.3/28.3 Dexterity 8
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 19:59:33 GMT -6
He finally stood up again and then immediately kicked the tire several times, though it had little effect on the sturdy material. Then he huffed loudly before shaking himself off, rearranging his leaves into a less mussed up state. Emery let him take his time as he calmed down a bit. Then, he carefully made his way back to Emery, bit by bit, stepping either directly into the center of a tire or in the spaces between them, taking care to not trip over them this time. Perfect. That was what Emery wanted out of this- awareness of his surroundings, and the ability to navigate trickier terrain. That was what dexterity was about- not just raw speed, but being able to quickly take stock of what was around you and change directions if need be. Normally that was in the form of dodging, but she would definitely accept Moxie dropping his tunnel vision.
Emery 4 Moxie 28.4/28.4 Dexterity 9
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 20:04:22 GMT -6
Granted, he was very slow right now. She doubted his opponents would be willing to wait for him to carefully pick his way across a dangerous battlefield towards them. But it was the start of something better- they could easily work up to him being more nimble. For now, she was just grateful that he had finally made it back over to her without tripping on anything else. "Good job, Moxie." She said, offering her pet the piece of meat she was holding. For once, he took it out of her hand politely, as if another tire was going to appear out of nowhere and attack him for doing anything else. She gave him a bit of time to eat it, but then got out another piece. Moxie got down into another ready stance, she wound her arm back- hopefully he had learned something about trying to catch it this time.
Emery 5 Moxie 29.0/29.0 Dexterity 10
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 20:31:11 GMT -6
Once she was sure Moxie was watching, she launched the new piece. He tracked it with his head, and started off- but caught his foot again. He glanced back and forth between the meat and tire, lashing his tail angrily as he tracked it. He took a few awkward steps over the sea of tires, and eventually the meat landed. This time at least he saw where it went, and he carefully picked his way over the tires. She noticed he was trying to keep his eye on the prize, but kept having to glance down to watch his step. It was slow and very stiff, but it was admittedly faster than before and at least this time he had the good sense to actually pay attention to where his treat had landed. Already it was an improvement over his first attempt. After a few painful minutes, he finally found the treat.
Emery 6 Moxie 29.1/29.1 Dexterity 11
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 20:34:46 GMT -6
Emery watched as he tossed it up in the air and swallowed it in one gulp. Then, he turned back to her and looked at her pleadingly. He definitely wanted another one, and lucky for him that was something she could provide. His leaves puffed out more with excitement as she pulled another piece of frozen meat out of the cooler and held it up in the air. Then she leaned her arm back and tossed it far off to her left, towards the other side of the field. Moxie took off after this one as well. He stumbled a bit this time too, but he kept his head noticeably more level, keeping an eye on the tires out of the corner of his eyes instead of constantly checking back and forth. The meat still hit the ground before he could reach it, but he was able to get there faster than before.
Emery 7 Moxie 29.2/29.2 Dexterity 12
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 20:39:52 GMT -6
She considered his progress as he ate. That was definitely an improvement over last time- though there was still a lot more ground to cover. Both literally and not. He needed to not only be able to navigate the tire field, but to do it effortlessly, not even thinking about where his feet were falling and still not tripping over himself. They'd get there though... probably. "Moxie!" She called, and the occasus kito snapped to attention. She held up another chunk of meat before throwing it further than before. It sailed over his head and he leapt up in the air to snap at it before taking off again, his feet landing directly on the sides of some tires before he used the rubber platforms as a launching off point. She was surprised- instead of him stepping between them, he was stepping on top of them instead. He snapped after the meat as he fell, but only just barely missed.
Emery 8 Moxie 29.3/29.3 Dexterity 13
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Post by Emery on Mar 12, 2024 20:41:53 GMT -6
Still, it didn't take him long to pick it up off the ground. It was an unconventional way of navigating the field, but it had worked. Emery couldn't help but be proud of how close he was getting. She didn't hesitate long this time- soon she had another treat out and ready to go. She got Moxie's attention once more and let it loose, this time off to her side to make him run a little bit further. Once more he was off like a shot, stepping on, in, or around the tires as needed. He seemed to have gotten the hang of keeping an eye on his target and having awareness of his environment at the same time, it was just his execution that needed a little more polish. Still, he was moving faster than ever before as he kept up with the meat, and to her amazement, he finally caught it before it hit the ground.
Emery 9 Moxie 29.4/29.4 Dexterity 14
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