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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 8:56:13 GMT -6
"Be calm now, Astraea", the leopard gently hushed the golem under his breath, "All is well." The creature shuffled in his arms briefly, then tried to settle down. The approach of those strangers was still not welcomed. It watched every step the offending pair made, fighting off the desire to ward them away. The will of its bonded was such. If this was what the mammalian wanted.. Then it would resigned itself to watching quietly.
The leopard exchanged pleasantries, thanking the woman for her time. His plot was explained; one that she too was familiar with, it seemed. A chuckle was shared, and friendly chat ensued. Nothing of importance to the golem, aside from the fact that its bonded seemed to be.. Happy. And that this threat was not much a threat after all. Simply strangers. Astraea, though not completely relaxed, did become alright with this person's presence.. And sooner than it seemed, the lady and her pet were walking away without incident.
At Ease - 10
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Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 9:56:03 GMT -6
"See, that wasn't so bad hm? All is well.", the leopard murmured to the golem, "No need to put up a fuss, dear Astraea." He was feeling rather pleased, over all. The golem seemed to be a little better about its protective nature. As long as he willed it and directed this so. Thinking on it, that protective instinct was a quality that he figured he could mold to better use - especially to explore the elemental capacity of the creature. A hum escaped his throat. He could try to see how to direct the golem to action appropriately. It was young, but still able to use its element from what he could tell. He'd much rather it use this power when called for than deciding to on its own volition. The leopard ferried the young golem back to his claimed little plot of dirt. There were more lessons to be learned.
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 10:01:12 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 10:01:12 GMT -6
But first, he did want to finally probe the creature's mind. Direct line of thoughts to the mind would be the best to have the golem know what he wished of it. At the moment, Astraea was simply relieved to be alone with its bonded one again. It would stay this way a little while longer, until the leopard felt the creature ready to socialize with more bodies and strangers. Back in the cozy training plot, the leopard let the golem roam free from his grasp. It stayed near him, a bit sad to lack the closeness of touch. The man simply needed a moment to fetch his half of the magic ribbon from his pack. He sat atop a gnarled tree root and breathed in, looking at the golem fondly. Now, to finally learn what changes went on in the golem's mind; from being a near robotic walking element to a free thinking young being.
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 10:09:56 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 10:09:56 GMT -6
The ribbon was tied on his left wrist; it had been fashioned in such a way that it could be adjusted or removed with ease. While he liked the idea of communing directly to the mind of his precious pets, privacy of thoughts was often necessary. Immediately, he noticed a glaring difference from the last time he used this link. There was no low, droning toll as he had heard before. There was.. Nothing to be heard at all. No constant jumble of thoughts like with the giant pliathor. Pure clarity.
[Greetings, Astraea], the leopard offered forth the first words through this new link, penetrating into the golem's mind. The creature perked up in turn, staring hard at the man. The voice directly in its mind was of the one it loved.
{T h i s O n e !}, the 'words' came in turn, not so much spoken but more like a ringing of tones that sounded like words.
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 10:19:35 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 10:19:35 GMT -6
The chiming 'voice' he heard reminded him of a chord played on crystal glass played with a moistened finger. It was a lovely sound. A smile spread on the leopard's face, delighted with this development. It seemed the golem had picked up on him referring to himself as 'this one'. While it was amusing, it would be odd to have another call him by such a title. He was slightly used to the pliathor calling him 'master', but given that the golem was comparatively.. Enlightened, it felt wrong to allow it use of that word. Xentus mused on it for a moment, then decided upon a new phrase for himself.
[Ah.. Please, call him 'bonded mine'. Or simply, Xentus], he told it, pointing to himself. Quietly, Astraea thought on it for a moment, considering this directive before passing a thought through their link.
{Y e s, O' B o n d e d M i n e}, the chiming voice sang, spinning the phrase into what sounded like a melody. A pleased shutter rippled across the golem's body, seeming enthralled.
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 10:32:27 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 10:32:27 GMT -6
A quiet chime of no particular meaning passed through their mental link. It sounded so happy.. Xentus was admittedly a bit giddy about hearing this golem's voice, yet couldn't think of what to say which might spur it to say more. The near silence of their link was comfortable, if only different from what he was used to. A resonating hum escaped his throat, making him realize the golem seemed to be mimicking his humming habit. That was almost surprising.. But he supposed he could expect as much from a creature bonded to his heart; to take up after him in such a way. Astraea seemed far from being a reflection of himself. Though he couldn't quite pin what he'd describe it as. It was no pet or child, and not a mere guard. It was like.. A knight to its lord. The idea made him chuckle to himself. Ah, but he was getting lost in thought. He had almost forgotten his idea to explore whatever elemental power the golem had.
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 13:12:23 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 13:12:23 GMT -6
The main challenge here was how to prompt Astraea to exude its element. With other elemental golems, he could command them a bit more directly: 'pour water' or 'make fire'. In this case, 'glass' wasn't exactly an element that he understood well. Perhaps whatever element the golem could produce was colloquially called glass for lack of a better word. The brief glimpse he got of it looked more like some odd kind of radiance. Not light, but a different kind of energy or force in the same vein.
[Astraea, show this one what from within makes you], the leopard directed, leaning forward on his perch with great interest. He could only hope his request wasn't too abstract for the young walker to understand. Astraea remained quiet as it processed this, thinking for only a moment before opening up its multi-segmented head to reveal its inner seed. A soft smile crested the leopard's muzzle. Well, it wasn't an incorrect response per say..
[Not your heart, dear. Your power], the man clarified, hoping to prompt some display of that internal element.
Glass Spear - 1
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 13:25:41 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 13:25:41 GMT -6
Astraea seemed almost embarrassed to have mistaken what its master meant, a quiet 'sorry' chimed in its mental voice. The golem's head closed with a soft thump, and then a vent opened on the surface of its form. From it, an odd dance of light emerged. It was difficult to focus on, like if one were to mix a rainbow with the visual heat haze over a road on a too-hot day. It almost looked like some sort of pressure. Curious, the leopard reached out to touch it, but the golem closed the elemental vent before he could.
{D a n g e r o u s}, the golem warned with a wary chime. But unfortunately for it, Xentus was determined to explore this 'glass'.
[It is ok, Astraea. Please, vent it once more], he asked, rubbing the golem's head. Though the creature seemed reluctant, a new vent appeared on its surface and that strange element flowed once again.
Glass Spear - 2
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 13:37:24 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 13:37:24 GMT -6
Would it burn like fire or acid? Or zap like electricity? Ah, even knowing it might bring him pain, he wanted to know. For science. His fingers reached forward, and with success this time, met the glass element. The pain of which was more penetrative than he anticipated. Like a jolt of electricity that inflicted deeply - through the heart and mind even. He felt even a bit nauseous from the mental zap from that small trickle alone. The golem immediately sealed its vent once again, nudging the man's hand with concern.
[Ver.. Very good, Astraea], he praised meekly in a feeble attempt to assure the golem it caused him no harm, [This one would like to.. See it again. With more force. Vent.] This element of 'glass' was intriguing. As long as he wasn't on the receiving end of it any more, he did want to have the golem be able to use its power when asked.
{D o n' t T o u c h}, the golem warned, then stepped back a bit so ensure its bonded one wouldn't face harm like that again.
Glass Spear - 3
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 13:47:13 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 13:47:13 GMT -6
Another vent appeared on the walker's body, and in a greater thrust, the radiant mix of light and pressure was emitted from it. The element glimmered with a sheen that could be likened to glass, making the colloquial naming of it seem more suitable. It was almost like he could reach out and touch it (though he knew better at this point). Xentus was thrilled to see this display, watching the various colors gleam and dance. Even though it was almost difficult to look at for too long. The light show was over as quickly as it began, alluding to the young golem being unable to hold up like this for very long.
"Well done, Astraea", the leopard praised verbally, "Good vent. This one is proud." The golem perked up at this praise, seeming proud to have made its bonded one happy - especially after hurting him a bit. It wasn't sure what was special about this whole thing exactly, but it was doing something right apparently!
Glass Spear - 4
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 13:57:50 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 13:57:50 GMT -6
After taking a moment to think, Xentus hatched a new idea to further experiment with this strange power the golem possessed. To see the effects on something like wood. And it would serve as target practice for the young golem too.
[Astraea, vent there, on the tree], the leopard pointed to the woody bark of a nearby, unsuspecting oak. The golem didn't question what the man was striving for exactly. It took a moment to stare at him while processing what he wanted, then waddled toward the unthreatening trunk. As it prepared to unleash its element, its bonded one paired the action with the word: 'Vent!'. Encouraged to action, an outpouring of directed light-force was thrust toward the tree, chipping away its bark with what looked like enough power to fracture a bone. Not something he ever wanted to be on the receiving end of.
"Excellent, Astraea. Good vent, yes", Xentus cheered with giddiness in his voice, amazed at seeing the spectacle.
Glass Spear - 5
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 19:12:56 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 19:12:56 GMT -6
Ah, now to imagine what a glass stalker would look like with such a brilliant display of power.. There was still a while before Astraea was fully grown, but he was certainly looking forward to that time. And before it grew too accustomed to only his own presence (and perhaps a select few others), the golem needed some better socialization. Especially after seeing what it could do even at this stage. Xentus clasped his hands and stood, walking over to the golem to scoop it up into his arms once again.
"Let us find some company, shall we?", the leopard muttered quietly to the creature. Astraea wasn't going to enjoy this. But, at least the personal ride in its' bonded arms would be enjoyable. Xentus made no mental mention of his plans, letting the little walker figure it out itself. Which wouldn't take all too long upon approaching a small crowd of people at the nearby food stall near the entry of the park.
Socialized - 1
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 20:02:32 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 20:02:32 GMT -6
The pleasant, savory scent of grilled meats and corn wafted in the air, rousing the mammalian's stomach. This exercise in socialization would double as a lunch break for himself. The small crowd the pair were approaching was an awfully alarming sight for the young golem. Astraea shuffled uneasily, a whining chime sounding in the leopard's mind to let him know of her displeasure. There was no distinct word passed to him, but the wary tone told him enough. It was like a little alarm.
"Astraea, be calm", the leopard cooed to the cradled golem, "You must grow accustomed to others, as this life is shared with so many others. Stay close now, hm?" As much as he wanted to baby the golem, it needed to learn to relax in a crowd whilst standing on its own two (three?) limbs. The two stood a good few yards away from the various bodies moving about, Xentus beginning to lead with a crawling walk toward them.
Socialized - 2
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Sub Dio
Dec 5, 2020 20:09:10 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Dec 5, 2020 20:09:10 GMT -6
Down on the ground now, the threat of strangers about them seemed so much more intense. They were towering and numerous. And it wasn't just the large group to the front, but also scouts roaming about all around them. Astraea was on edge, to say the least. The warning tone resonating in its mind was continuously shared with the leopard, ensuring that he too was aware of the threats abound. There were almost too many to keep track of. But, the golem did have one trick it could use. It balanced itself on three limbs, standing more upright with the tip of its head pointed to the sky. With the open pores on the four segments of its shell, it had a good range of vision to keep tabs on all sides. It was ready. Astraea toed after its bonded one, keeping near the mammalian's side as close it could without tripping him.
Socialized - 3
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Post by Xentus on Dec 6, 2020 6:45:08 GMT -6
Xentus thought Astraea's behavior a bit odd. A sort of passive defensive response that he wasn't sure if he should discourage or not. Ideally, the golem should be relaxed around others. And it most certainly was not. After a moment the man paused his walk and crouched down to comfort Astraea, placing a gentle hand atop its head.
"It is okay to be nervous, Astraea dear. Ah, but try to be calm. There is no harm lurking here", the leopard told it quietly, "Just watch and see, hm?" His tone seemed comforting enough, though the golem wasn't entirely convinced yet. A slow approach would do the best here, he figured. A few steps forward, observe, breathe, then continue. There was a lot of commotion going on around them, which meant a lot to take in. This was all very new to the young golem, and it didn't like this break from its peace and quiet.
Socialized - 4
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