|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 29, 2020 16:56:41 GMT -6
> Xentus, accompanied by...
It was a chilly afternoon. Very few clouds lingered in the sky, allowing the sun and its light to grace the cityscape below. Nice weather for an afternoon stroll, though a light jacket may be required. Xentus, however, wasn't one too keen on the idea. He was never one much for wearing many articles of clothing. It didn't feel right on his fur. It felt.. Constrictive. But he also wasn't one for the cold either. His compromise was a long draping shawl. It didn't protect too much from the cold, but it was something to buffer any errant gusts of wind that happened to pick up.
Today his companion was a young, white winged rakai. He hadn't thought up a name for the little one yet, and she was much too indifferent to him to give him some insight or ideas. Perhaps on their stroll something would come to him. Perhaps not. Nevertheless, the two eventually found their way around the community square, with Xentus leading the way. The rakai was walked on a simple leather leash, giving her owner the occasional indignant tug whenever something interesting captured her attention. This time, she tried her best to pull towards a patch of frosted grass with small yellow flowers sprouting. Her wings fluttered to help pull and tug, but to no avail.
"Come now little one", a cooing voice came, "This way yes? Come on. Look"
Xentus didn't yank or pull back against the struggling rakai, instead opting to redirect her attention using the bright red ball in his palm. He waved it around, bouncing it a couple times to really sell it. It garnered a bit of the small beast's attention, thankfully. For how much longer such a trick would work, he wasn't sure. Hopefully a little while longer, or up until he found something better to refocus the rakai. For now, he capitalized on the fleeting few moments he had to make progress towards his destination.
Now, to that cafe. The small one with the green framework and big windows, a big awning over the patio.. They served the best chai he's had in a while. Unfortunately for him, it was a rather popular spot so he had only been there a couple times before. Lunch break seating there was often scarce, and it was lunch time prime time. Still, if he were lucky enough, he might make it before the crowd set in.. The square was already beginning to lull with the humdrum of people passing through. And having an easily distracted pup with a short attention span wasn't helping. Maybe a tiny bit of tugging back was in order to get them moving. He made his way to the building with the rakai in tow.
The cafe was busy, as he had expected, but he was in luck, there was still room for him and his pet. The waitstaff directed him to a spot on the patio; a table for two set against the black iron gate that fenced in the area. Xentus took his seat and tied the leash to the back of his chair. The little red ball was placed down on the ground for the rakai while he browsed the menu. Delighted to finally have the ball, the pup gnawed and batted it around. It rolled to and fro, and soon out of bounds from her reach, try as she might.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 29, 2020 18:39:40 GMT -6
Flare, accompanied by Shabh
---
Originally, he meant to go back home when a simple splash of water had spooked Shabh into cowering around him. The biggest baddest creature in the area to hide around. Or just plain connected to him. But Flare's stomach steered him into town, following the scents of some of the outdoor cafes that were bustling. This time of day, just about mid-noon, had the most amount of people around the city that Flare'd seen in several months. He kept the trotting Shabh close by, within reach of a quick snatch up in case the rakai pup found himself into trouble.
Occasionally the ssashirk would stop and sniff the air, seeming to decide if this would be the place to eat. Only one spot that got passed appeared to allow animals at a busy time. Finally, the drake turned to enter.
It took a few tries for the server to understand that he wanted to eat there and eat outside where Shabh would not make a racket. She seemed quite taken with the tiny winged puppy, who hid around his reptile friend's feet with a flattened manner. "Shee" he mentions when asked. There was only one spot left in the back, but the table already seemed taken.
A ball rolled into their space then, bright red with some drool attracting the dirt and grit on the ground to its slick surface. BALL! Shabh yanked forward without warning, nearly putting Flare face first into the open chair. The rakai pounced, but the ball escaped back towards the table.
14.20
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 30, 2020 4:09:21 GMT -6
Let's see what was on the menu today. Xentus perused the small pamphlet of dishes and beverages, thumbing through the pages as his eyes carefully scanned for something of interest. His tastes in food leaned towards anything with meat and plenty of spices. Curried dishes were his favorite, though he'd rather make curry himself to satisfy his palate. The lunch special on the menu today was spicy sausage and poached egg, with steamed spinach. That actually sounded quite appetizing to the leopard. He made a mental note of it and flipped to another page. Now, for a drink..
The mammalian was much to deep into his perusing and thoughts to pay any mind to the other patrons moving about. That is until one of them nearly face-planted into the empty chair across from him.
"Oh-! Are you alright? Need any help?"
Xentus quickly rose from his seat and toward the fiery scaled figure, leaning down and offering a clawed hand to help the ssashirk back onto its feet. A few other eyes turned to watch the light commotion.
His own rakai seized the moment, feeling her restraints lift as the weight of the mammalian on the chair vanished. She made her break for the slobber laced ball with on great, wing-powered pounce. The sound of wood falling upon concrete sounded as the motion felled the chair. But she paid no mind to that, the ball was in her clutches once more. The pale yellow eyes of the rakai fixated onto her benefactor, a smaller black and yellow pup with bony wings. Play bow commence! The red ball rolled back towards the fellow canine with a quick paw-swat accompanied by a rough bark.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 30, 2020 12:38:05 GMT -6
Profile
This must be the reason why Cortana mentioned to wear Shabh's lead around his wrist versus loosely in his hand... A slight groan came from the ssashirk. His posture really didn't help the situation of someone right behind him hopping up with a shriek. He caught his fall on his good limb but the resulting forward motion planted into a lunge so deep that his jaw grazed the top of the chair. Must've bumped their chair with either his ragged wing structure or his long tail.
The ssashirk is wearing what could be called a toga out of pieces of burlap sack, from what may be told by a good eye. It covers enough to walk around in humanoid public, even if there's nothing to hide. As he shifts, the wings on his back shift along with him, clearly useless to the point of near bone spires draping out of his back. His scales are the gradient of wildfire, with oddly forward angled antennaelike horns poking out of his tangled red hair.
Someone spoke above his head, in some form of common? He'd heard enough common to get the gist, needing help. Yes, help. Help would be good. Half crashed into a chair didn't feel good at all.
Shabh watched the ball roll out of his reach, only to be pounced on and caught by a...another rakai? Sniffing, they smelled female, like Petunia, but not black and scary and not as big. She had wings too. Play bow? PLAY BOW. Surprise melded into playfulness when she sent the ball back to him, barking. He barks back, a shrill yipping bark of immature vocals, planting himself over the ball to try and catch it, but it just rolls away from him back to the bigger rakai. Aww....
20.20 Lv 57 Flare
17/25 Shabh
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 30, 2020 14:02:53 GMT -6
The scaly fella before him seemed to be a bit dazed.. He? She? Ah it was so hard to tell with the scaled ones. Xentus wasn't too familiar with their kind unfortunately. They must have tumbled a little harder than he thought. Xentus's blue eyes quickly flicked to the sound of barks and yips, noticing the young rakai in Flare's company, as well as the cane they used. Perhaps they were lame? Or previously injured? That much wasn't very clear either, but what was clear is that a mere offer of help may not be enough. His eyes darted back towards the keeled over figure in the robe.
"Are you hurt?", Xentus's words carried with a tone of genuine concern. "Please, allow this one to assist", he continued softly, opting to turn his extended palm into a more assertive form of aid. He stepped closer, leaning in, and clutched Flare under the arm in an effort to get the Ssashirk back onto their feet. And ideally onto the very chair that had just assaulted them. The horned leopard allowed any amount of weight to be put onto him, serving as a living crutch while the scaly one steadied themselves. He was never the kind to merely stand aside and watch another's struggle.
Meanwhile, oblivious to whatever was happening to the tall one, Xentus's rakai engaged into full play mode. There wasn't any other like herself in the kennel, and the vulticus 'playmates' that she had didn't much appreciate her presence. They weren't fun to play with anyways. But the pup here just might have some potential. The returning ball met with her teeth and was vigorously shook with glee. This would be the point where running off with it would be the next course of action, but the rakai found the chair she was stuck with to be rather unyielding. It clunked as it caught between the metal fencing an base of the table. She was closer to the black and yellow pup now, at least, as close as her leash let her get. She play bowed with her head low, spitting the ball between her front paws, challenging the other to take it. If it dared.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 30, 2020 14:39:49 GMT -6
Aside from the dull pulsing of his lower jaw, nothing felt broken or damaged, no. Aching? Probably later. That would be remedied at a later point. A nod as he reached for the offered limb. Odd, it didn't feel cold despite the cold light blue coloring, and had fur. His eyes range upwards to see a cat face with a horn and...a half poking out of its forehead. Granted if he thought of his own look to another, a cat with horns wasn't a surprise to see here. The cat thing acted quite strong, serving to help him regain his footing and ease into the chair which could've taken his jaw off. Once settled, Flare adjusted his posture so his tail wasn't being snapped in two from the chair backing. Thankfully his tail had some good flexibility to fit into the gap that separated top and seat of chair.
{Thank you.} the drake bowed his head politely. {Shabh took me by surprise.} He looked down at the offending pup, his lead twisted around the table now. The pup had found company in another rakai puppy, not too much larger or older then himself in the complete opposite look. Feathered wings, white fur and scale, and pale eyes. But Shabh didn't seem to be shying away from a puppy about his size. Flare watched the smaller pup swat a paw out at the bright red ball that the white pup held hostage between their front paws. Trying to bat it away. He wanted that ball.
1.20
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 30, 2020 16:33:58 GMT -6
Once Flare was settled onto the offending chair, Xentus released his grip and made his way around the table to return to his seat. Which was now toppled over and mostly under the table thanks to his rakai pup. With a low sigh, he untied the leash to keep in one hand and propped the chair back up with the other. His motions tugged the white winged canine backwards, ruining her little game with the opposing pup. The red ball was free from her clutches, much to her yips of opposition.
Now that he was properly seated himself, Xentus was able to get a good look at the fiery scaled Ssashirk, head on. A pair of blue eyes gazed over their features, trailing those odd, forward pointing horns down over a set of slitted grey eyes, before stopping for a moment too long at the scar crawling along the side of their face and neck. It looked deep.. Yet somehow, it oddly fitting to the reptilian's overall ragged look. Was that a bad thought? He wasn't judging them for their appearance, but rather making a mental profile. Regardless, it was evident that they've had more than their fair share of falls, and worse. He released his fixation on the scar in favor of friendly eye contact as Flare began to speak.
Xentus seemed confused for a moment as the scaled one spoke, blinking at hearing the foreign language. At first, he thought perhaps he happened to mishear his interlocutor. Nothing registered. But as they continued to speak, it became clear that it wasn't common speech at all. They did seem to be appreciative at the very least, noting the head bow. Still, it was unfortunate that it seemed any conversation would be strained by the language barrier. Not that it would stop him from trying anyway.
"Xentus does not quite share your tongue, stranger", he said in a dismayed tone, with a frown edging his lips, "However, He is relieved that you seem to be alright."
His eyes followed Flare's down to the black and yellow bone-winged puppy with the red ball before it. The sight connected some dots for him, especially if their puppy was much like his own - too rambunctious for their own good. "Ah, is your rakai a troublesome one too?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 31, 2020 13:27:22 GMT -6
The ssashirk watched the other regain his seating, from another unruly rakai under the table. He saw it on the corner of his vision again, now yipping in protest over the loss of their plaything. The rolling object in question being a red ball. He had...only met one other 'cat' person here in the city so far. But the cat...wasn't a cat. Ears and tail yes, and fur. But not a cat face. Darkee wasn't a cat, was she? Or was she?
However, even with the body of a person, as he glanced up and down on the cat, it had large horns poking out of the forehead, like some sort of bull. One broken though. The cat also wore clothes like a person... but only on the lower half. Big tail too. Was the tail all fluff or muscle? Impulse to ask... such an impulse. But they speak a form of language he only knows some.
"Flare." He gestures at himself in Common, with a polite greeting in his nativeness. But this cat calls itself... himself, by name first? How do you say a sssz? "Fffssentusss?" he tries. It doesn't sound right. The set of his teeth in his mouth don't make the right sound when making noises. "Sffeakuh kuhommon ssome. Yes." Its slow, but he is trying some newer words he has heard. "Shabh nott bad. Eeung. Haffffee." Ugh, this is why he didn't speak most days.
Success! Shabh pulls forward, trying to get to the ball as it rolls toward him. It took a lot of pulling and there was resistance from above, and it was lucky he wasn't wearing a standard collar or he'd be choking himself about now. The ball... was his!
5.20
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 31, 2020 15:31:37 GMT -6
Xentus listened intently as the ssashirk spoke. Flare was it? There were some words that he didn't quite understand, but he got the gist of it. Pleasantries it seemed. The edges of his lips poked up into an amused smile as the scaled one tried to say his name. It was close enough. "This one's name is Xentus, but you may say Sen if it is easier for you, Flare", the leopard chipped in happily, with a small toothy grin. 'Xen' was the typical nickname he went by, but 'Sen' sounded nearly the same, save for the slight nuance of the first letter.
Then came some slow, barely understandable Common. It was an admirable effort, but it took Xentus a few moments before he was able to decipher what they were saying. His head tilted slightly to the side as he tried to understand. Sfeakuh.. Sf? Speak? Ah, it must be difficult for them to pronounce any 'puh' sounds. It clicked; 'speak common some'. The rest of what they spoke was a little less clear. Shabh not bad.. Eung happy? Young puppy?
If he had to hazard a guess, Shabh was the name of the black and yellow rakai pup. He heard some semblance of the name earlier.
His own pup continued tugging and pulling at its leash, yipping in disdain. The canine's fluttery wing-flaps could be heard from beneath the table, followed shortly by the sound of defeated whines. The white pup's pale yellow eyes looked pleadingly at the ball, as if trying to will it back to her reach..
"Xentus admires your effort", he said warmly, "You certainly speak better Common than he could speak in your native tongue, hah!"
The passing thought to learn a new language lingered in his mind. Most folk here spoke common, so he never had issues communicating. But how cool would it be if he could speak to someone like the ssashirk before him with little effort? He felt some inspiration from the small-talk already.
"If you do not mind, Xentus finds your company enriching. His pup seems to enjoy yours as well. Sit a while for lunch with him?", the leopard asked as he offered the cafe's menu to Flare.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 31, 2020 16:40:50 GMT -6
Flare wasn't the kind of person to fret over first impressions. Heck, his own personal first impression into the city wasn't good at all! To bring a smile to the cat-creature's face seemed to pacify any minute 'uh' in his mind of his lack of speech for the odd sound. But Sssen? He could do that one. "Sssen. Sen." he repeats the word. What other word had he seen that had a Sen in it... "likuh Ssentenel." he isn't perfect on it, I think it had an 'uh' in there someplace. "Ssentunnul" No, not that either.
"I sffeakuh Tomai. Ttumai. Eees. Tumai." The cost of not constantly speaking to someone in another language let it fall out of usage very quickly. He tried to use his native tongue as much as possible around the creatures so they at least heard his normal sounds. Flare points at his snout and his jaws. "Common iss harrrd. Letterrrrsss I no-no." [Learn small ssakash. Less hard word.] But his tone is bitter with the last portion of foreign words. {Tumai is my native tongue.} He'd not heard of a cat... no, thats not right. Darkee had a slight grasp on his native language, but was she a cat? Not as cat as this cat.
"Eees, staee for eets." The ssashirks' stomach growled audibly at the mention of food. Sen offering to stay for midday food was a kind thing to do. A good cat.
Shabh, try as he might, couldn't fit his puppy mouth around the ball. This ball was for a bigger puppy. Like the white one who was very unhappy. Many yips and strains and flailing of paws. But he wasn't a quitter; Shabh would get his teeth on that ball! CHOMP-ow
8.20
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 31, 2020 17:58:42 GMT -6
"Mmm yes. Sen, like sentinel", he remarked with a grin.
Perhaps it was only sound association for the scaled one, but Xentus enjoyed the personal association. The concept of sentinels was admirable. The watchers. His mind played with the imagery of he himself being revered as such a thing. But alas, he was nothing much more than a keeper over some creatures. His mind snapped back to reality, and his attention back to Flare as the reptilian pointed towards their mouth. Right. It made sense, no flexible lips made for some sounds to be more difficult than others to achieve. If not impossible altogether. Yet the effort that he put forth was impressive to the leopard. Xentus did his best to understand what he could of their speech, but the occasional foreign word threw him off. He would have to ask to learn a word or two, making a mental note to do so when the time was a little more appropriate. He had that lunch meal on his mind..
"This one plans to order the lunch special today - spicy sausage and poached eggs", Xentus announced at hearing the subtle stomach rumble, "And this cafe serves quite nice chai. Do you fancy tea? This one adores it. Reminds him of home."
Xentus took a moment to reminisce, before something dawned on him - the menu was in common! And he made the errant mistake of trying to offer it to Flare. He felt silly.
"Ah, this one can read the menu for you if you need?"
The white winged rakai beneath the table seemed to pout, only able to watch the pup gnaw on her ball! A rough bark-whine came from her jaws, protesting as best she could. At least share, sheesh! Hmph. Well fine, if they weren't going to share, she decided she didn't want the ball anyways. The canine feigned disinterest, curling to her side and pretended that her own feathers were a suitable toy, ruffling her wings and shaking some downy fluffs loose. Take that, bone winged pup. You have no feathers!
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Jan 31, 2020 18:32:53 GMT -6
Sen's deep cat voice sounded very nice to his ear. How interesting to be speaking of yourself in another view, as if he wasn't the one speaking. Or talking like an author would tell a story from their overhead view. Was it a cat thing? His stomach growled again, steering the ssashirk's mind back onto food. yes, yes, he would look at the menu.
Something about sfficed meat and eeggs? He liked meat. He liked eggs. "Sffeshul sound good." he mentions, pointing at the menu. "Teea good... harrrd too dwinkuh." He pantomimes briefly the picking up a small cup and the messy attempts to sip and slurp like a creature with lips could do. Was there any fruit on this menu? He had an impartial taste to it, since he practically survived on fruits and the produce of his garden. "Frrrwoot?" He motions at the menu. Flare's teeth were for ripping and tearing, not for crushing and grinding, those conical nightmares of carnivore teeth. {I eat mainly fruit with a small amount of meat.} he mentions, in case the cat may be picking up on words.
The little black and brown rakai whined a bit as he found himself unable to latch his jaws around the white rakai's ball. They didn't seem too interested now. Ok then, it was his, right? Shabh never had to share his toys. The creatures of the garden would stay away from him. But now the white wing one was shaking itself loose? Huh? He gives a wiggle. No feathers fall, but his bony wings rattle a bit.
9.20
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Jan 31, 2020 19:25:27 GMT -6
Xentus stifled a giggle as the ssashirk mimicked taking a messy sip of tea. The lip thing, right. There were so many little uses for them that he'd taken for granted. He had to admit, though, sometimes drinking properly from a cup was difficult too. In the privacy of his home he would sometimes resort to daintily lapping up liquids with his tongue, rather than sipping. Not in public though. He had manners. Most of the time.
Fruit? For some reason, fruit didn't seem to be the first thing he thought of when he considered foods that the reptilian might like. But he wasn't one to judge one's tastes. Let's see now, fruits, fruits..
"Peach and kiwi parfait. It is like a kind of sweet yogurt mix with fruits. There is also a mixed berry salad, with blackberries, cherries, and blueberries with greens and light syrup", he announced, thumbing through the menu, "Red and green apple sticks and caramel... This one is from the children's selection though."
The last option left him with a light chuckle. There were a couple more fruit-based dishes on the menu that he read off to Flare; one with oranges, and another with pears. "Any of those sound appetizing?"
The white winged rakai kept the black and yellow pup in the corner of her vision, while seeming totally enamored with her very own wings. To be fully concise, she was waiting for the prime moment to strike. Just as the younger rakai was distracted with his own bony wings, she snapped to action- pouncing forward in attempt to rescue her slobber laced orb. Unfortunately, her master had a firm grip on the leash still. The motion yanked his arm, but nothing more. And still the ball was out of reach.
"Settle down, pup", an annoyed growl sounded from above.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flare on Feb 2, 2020 13:50:23 GMT -6
As Flare glanced around the cafe, considering what he wanted to eat or drink besides the spiced meats, his gaze fell on a human family with their small child. Plump, blonde, and greedily sucking away at a massive... drink? It looked cold from the frost on the glass. How puzzling. But the child had lips, he shouldn't need to suck on anything to eat it... right? What sort of food di you... oh yes. Hard sweet things. Dropples. He remembered dropples with a slight droop of his ears. Its not easy to tell as the ssa ears aren't nearly as... emotionally tied as a cat's ears, or a dog's ears. Wait, the Sen-cat mentioned a ffarrrfaieet? What? Had to pay attention again, tearing his eyes off watching the plump human suck up the food like some sort of... elephant. Yes. Trunkless elephant.
"Ffarffaeet? Eess." He hadn't tried anything too sweet lately besides the fruits.
Shakey shakey, the bones of his wings made such a fun sound! Still very distracted Shabh.
16.20
18/26 shabh
|
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Feb 2, 2020 14:59:31 GMT -6
Xentus noted the reptilian's fascination with the child, following their eyes and glancing over as well. He only took a peek. It was rude to stare. He wasn't quite sure what might be going through the ssashirk's mind, but he left that for himself to ponder upon rather than bluntly ask. His attention returned to the menu, listing off the last few things and taking a second look for himself. The lunch special was still the most attractive thing to him though. Spicy sausage and some spiced tea. Yes, that sounded delicious. And parfait-sausage combo for Flare.
"Parfait and sausage then? Excellent choice, yes", the leopard praised cheerily, as if he were a waiter. Speaking of waitstaff, where were any of them? Peering through the large glass windows of the establishment, he could see that the employees seemed to be mostly busy carting away used plates and cleaning off tables for new customers to take. There was a line of assorted people at the counter, presumably either making their order, paying for it, or complaining about the poor service.
"Xentus will go inside to place the order, would the fire-scaled one mind holding onto the white pup's leash?", the leopard asked while rising from his seat, "She is being particularly feisty, not suitable for indoor spaces with lots of ankles to bite."
The chair was tucked in, then the pastel blue mammalian rounded over to the other side of the table before Flare. He held out the leather leash, his eyes taking a moment to glance again at the interior of the cafe.
"This one will try to return bearing lunch soon, but it seems there is a line.. It may take some time. He asks for your patience."
The white winged rakai noticed the movements of her owner and resulting slack on the lead. Ah ha, now the tides were turning in her favor! Her head perked up, eyes tracking the yellow-clawed paws of Xentus. The newfound slack gave her enough distance to be within the personal space of the bone-winged pup. Which she would fully be taking advantage of to get her ball back! Or... Maybe take a sniff at him? She had been held back this whole time and never really did get a decent chance to do so. The rakai seemed to weigh out her choices, before slowly making her approach to the younger pup, nose pointed to take a good whiff.
|
|
