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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 18:59:12 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 18:59:12 GMT -6
It had been a little while since Nazura was out here learning new skills. He already knew basic obedience and could tolerate a man in the saddle just fine. Knowing what to do after someone was in the seat was the next step that admittedly took longer to get around to than he'd thought. There were just so many other beasts in his personal menagerie to play with. Mashiik, for instance! Oh, she was a lovely one with such soft plumage.. Sitting atop her was like being on a cloud. Nazura by comparison was like cuddling an active volcano.
"Halt, Nazura!"
After jogging a short distance in the grass, Xentus came to a less sudden stop. He eyed the wiurn carefully over his shoulder, just to be sure the beast could prevent itself from tumbling into him again. The left side of his face was met with the hot, reeking breath of the wiurn as it snorted in an annoyed huff.
Stop - 2
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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 19:08:24 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 19:08:24 GMT -6
A grimace of disgust plastered itself on the leopard's face. Somehow, that was less pleasant than almost getting rammed to the ground. But at least the hulking lizard stopped well enough.
"Very good, Nazura", the man praised gently, a smile trying its best to creep onto his muzzle despite the awful scent of wiurn breath still lingering in his nose. A clawed hand reached over to give a couple of rewarding scratches and pets to the hard face-plate of the creature. And for a brief moment, the annoyed huffing of the lizard stopped. It seemed the creature appreciated the fact his hard work was finally being recognized. Or perhaps he only needed to catch his breath before resuming his bellowing grunts.
The teachings continued, the leopard beckoning the reptile to follow after him as he called a combination of 'come' and 'forward'. The strategy seemed to work well enough. Nazura kept pace as the man led the way, running through the grass and leaving a singed trail after himself.
Go - 4
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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 20:17:39 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 20:17:39 GMT -6
"Halt."
The command came less abrupt this time. After spending a few minutes toting a wiurn in his wake, the leopard decided it was time to try this from atop the back of the beast. Nazura seemed to grow increasingly annoyed at this game of stop and go, huffing another hefty snort as he came to a stop. A hard face-plate nudged into Xentus' shoulder, nostrils flaring as another hot exhale was released. The heat threatened to burn the skin. The leopard shot a hard glare at the beast as he turned to face him.
"Naughty Nazura", the man grumbled as he shoved the creature's face away, "Bow down now. Let us try this in a different way." The command had to be repeated before the wiurn begrudgingly lowered his torso to the grass. And with a graceful hop, the leopard was able to clamber up into the tall backed saddle.
Stop - 3
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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 23:00:54 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 23:00:54 GMT -6
The leather saddle was warmed thoroughly, and the seat was almost too hot to comfortably sit on. He would have to get this thing element treated at some point or it would end up charred soon enough.. The extreme heat that emanated from Nazura's body was only lowered to a touchable temperature whenever the leopard was near. If not, the heat could scorch. And the lively blue balefire that spouted from his wings and tail never ceased during waking hours. Making sure to keep all inflammable items away from this creature was a must. Thankfully, the leather of the saddle would survive.. For now.
"Forward!", the rider called from atop the lizard's back. The reins were held loosely for now. He could feel the wiurn shuffle beneath him, adjusting to the added weight before attempting to move. Nazura seemed uncomfortable not only with the extra heft, but also with the lack of a back to follow after.
Go - 5
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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 23:40:51 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 23:40:51 GMT -6
"Forward, Nazura. Go on", the command came gently this time. The usual brutishness of the wiurn could withstand some yelling from an assertive voice, but this wasn't always the right way to handle the beast. He was receptive to encouragement if he really needed it, and Xentus got the feeling now was the time for a little nudge. Through the uncertainty, the wiurn sheepishly began to move. Its six-legged gait was an odd feeling under the saddle. Not exactly smooth, but not bumpy either. Somewhat undulating? Xentus did his best to keep in rhythm as Nazura waded through the grass and weeds. Steering was an issue to be addressed later.
"Good, good", he praised, a joyful smile on his muzzle. A couple of quick pats on the side of the wiurn's neck accompanied the words in best efforts to let the beast know he was doing well. 'It would seem he's earned some little morsels', Xentus decided. "Now then, halt!"
Go - 6 Stop - 4
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Sub Dio
Jul 9, 2020 23:59:29 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Jul 9, 2020 23:59:29 GMT -6
Without a body to nearly ram into now, Nazura had much less urgency for immediately stopping. The lizard took the time to mull over the command, still pressing forward. Xentus repeated himself, voice stern. "Halt, Nazura", the words came almost as a growl. Even if the beast had just earned praise, it had also earned the assertive commands that the leopard barked. It shouldn't take a wall before the he decided to stop, and as such, this kind of behavior was not tolerable.
After a couple more slow steps forward, the winged lizard finally decided he had moved far enough. Took him forever.. Although a sudden stop would've been undesirable, a meandering stop was just as bad. The whole stop and go thing needed some work, especially from up in the saddle. But for the time spent out here thus far, it seemed Nazura was getting the hang of this 'forward' and 'halt' business.
Stop - 5 > Exeunt Xentus and Nazura (10)
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Sub Dio
Aug 4, 2020 15:47:22 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 4, 2020 15:47:22 GMT -6
> Xentus, accompanied by...
Mira, Nazura
Back to the ol' dirt circle. Today the leopard was accompanied by a new friend, a small shy mosca. After their adventures in the caverns, Mira was quite friendly with him, attentive to his lead. He still had some reservations about his plans for this particular feline, but he steeled himself and prepared the 'arena'. The battle contestant today was a training dummy. Perfectly harmless and able to take a beating. But before they could work on offensive tactics, the leopard wanted to enhance the mosca's defenses. The swift feline was quite vulnerable.. He could't have her getting hurt.
And so, he had a special guest with him to help with this. After settling the mosca in the training plot, he led in the giant, flaming wiurn. Immediately on sight, the mosca's ears flattened, fur stood on end, and a deep yowl bubbled in her throat. Perfect. "Good, Mira, scream!", the leopard praised. But the frightened feline had her widened eyes locked on the red reptile, seeming deaf to the leopard's praise. It.. Might take a bit to get through to her. Nazura was instructed to simply stand there, menacingly. He snorted a hot breath at the mosca, scaring her further.
Mira: Screech - 1 Nazura: Accept Noise - 1
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Sub Dio
Aug 4, 2020 18:27:42 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 4, 2020 18:27:42 GMT -6
The noise coming from the mosca was heart wrenching for the leopard to endure.. But it wasn't enough to scare off a predator like a wiurn. If she could manage to make the wiurn back off, he'd call it a success. The leopard patted the wiurn's neck and made his way over to the frightened Mosca. Mira paid no mind to the mammalian man, her eyes were locked onto the beast before her, yowl continuing to bubble.
"It is frightening Mira, yes", the man cooed gently as he knelt beside the feline, "Frighten him more. Louder Mira! Scream." He wasn't sure how effective his words alone were.. But, he figured he'd be able to help in a way only a mammalian such as himself could; he added his own voice to the symphony of feline yells. Nazura stared at his master quizzically, cocking his head to the side as if to question this odd behavior. Mira on the other hand seemed to appreciate having an ally on her side. Her yowl included a hiss and spit in her best attempt to scaring off the wiurn, but coming from such a small and cute kitty.. It didn't seem to have much effect.
"Scream, Mira!", the leopard interjected between his own howls.
Mira: Screech - 2 Nazura: Accept Noise - 2
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Sub Dio
Aug 4, 2020 18:38:08 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 4, 2020 18:38:08 GMT -6
It was time to up the scare factor. The wiurn stood a few yards away, imposing enough as he was. But Mira needed something more. As much as it pained him, having her endure this terror for a little while longer must be done. He beckoned for the flaming lizard to come closer. The mosca in turn started to back away, but Xentus held her steady. In reaction to the touch, the feline whipped around and gave him a deathly glare, but refrained from transforming her fear into aggression. The true enemy here was the wiurn. Her frightened yowls continued, raising in volume as lizard crept closer.
"Yes, like that! Scream!", the man encouraged, hoping his words weren't lost in the noise, "Scream Mira!" He allowed Nazura to continue his slow approach, encouraging Mira all the while to unleash her howls of terror. The low noise peaked into a shrill screech between spitting and hissing, and that was exactly when the man gave her praise. It still pained him to hear her yelling in fear.. But he continued to encourage her, pressing her to unleash the sound of her voice upon the flaming wiurn. Nazura was beginning to get dissuaded by the sound, his steps becoming hesitant..
Mira: Screech - 3 Nazura: Accept Noise - 3
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Sub Dio
Aug 4, 2020 18:47:38 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 4, 2020 18:47:38 GMT -6
But the wiurn continued toward his master as he was commanded. His bright yellow eyes flicked between the mammalian man and the small mosca beside him, uncertain of what the goal was here. He wasn't used to such loud noise. It wasn't pleasant to the ears, and with every step he took forward, the volume and shrillness only increased. The reptile snorted a hot breath and took another step forward.. Only for his ears to be assaulted by the unrelenting scream the felines before him produced.
"Scream!", the man urged between breaths, "Louder, Mira!" He couldn't bring his own voice to peak into a shrill shriek. He could manage a growl and a yowl, and possibly a throaty roar, but the pitch was getting to be beyond his own capabilities. Mira paused for a moment, panting nervously, allowing the man to get in a word of praise. Normally this would be accompanied by a treat, but he had the feeling the mosca wouldn't be too interested at the moment. Praise and encouragement would do for now.
"Continue, Mira. Scream!", he directed, urging her to continue. And after another slow step forward by the wiurn, the small feline unleashed a high pitched, terrified yowl.
Mira: Screech - 4 Nazura: Accept Noise - 4
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Sub Dio
Aug 4, 2020 19:20:00 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Aug 4, 2020 19:20:00 GMT -6
The man had to flatten his own ears back, grimacing at the sudden, shrill noise. It was much of what he had hoped for, as much as he hated instilling fear into an animal. But he just reminded himself it would be a great means of defense later. He tried to imagine the small, frail mosca defending herself against a mighty wiurn like the one before her now. Her only chance would be to stun him with as shrill as shriek as she could muster, then run for dear life. Some amount of bravery was needed, but he was aware that running was an effective strategy to evade an attack and then to strike back opportunistically.
The scream was enough to cause Nazura to flinch, dissuaded from following his masters command. The noise wasn't worth it. He shook his head and grumbled, growing increasingly uncomfortable. Mira's yowling lessened to a bubbling growl at the sight, her eyes still locked on the flaming red wiurn. Xentus quickly assessed the situation, deciding whether to beckon Nazura forward or urge Mira to scare him off. Both options were good, but he wanted the mosca to feel empower. And so he opted for the latter.
"Now, Mira, scream!"
Mira: Screech - 5 Nazura: Accept Noise - 5
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Post by Xentus on Aug 5, 2020 1:36:01 GMT -6
Fueled by terror and encouraged by the leopard, the mosca unleashed a shrill, blood curdling scream. Xentus winced, the wiurn flinched, and overall nobody was having a great time. But Xentus felt as if the goal was accomplished. This would do. He gathered himself enough through the piercing sound to shooed the wiurn away, letting the creature escape the audible torment that the mosca unleashed. It took the flaming a beast a moment to unscramble his brain from the rattling the screech inflicted. But her vocal stun seemed to be effective.
The mosca needed a moment to cool off, but as much as Xentus would've liked to grant her reprieve, this elevated state was perfect for the next feat on the list to accomplish. He... Wasn't going to enjoy this. The leopard donned his leather gloves and scruffed the mosca's nape, getting a good grasp on her fur. Then, he called for Nazura to approach once again. The wiurn turned around and slowly meandered toward the felines. He didn't like the prospect of getting screamed at again. He trusted his master wouldn't subject him to such torment much longer. The lazy return of the wiurn immediately triggered the same reaction in the mosca as before - back away and yell! She fought against the grasp of the leopard, beginning to shriek in terror.
Mira: Screech - 6 Mira: Loosen Feathers/Fur - 1 Nazura: Accept Noise - 6
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Post by Xentus on Aug 5, 2020 3:46:01 GMT -6
Held back only by her fur, the mosca struggled and squirmed in a best effort to get away. Xentus felt awful for handling her in such a manner, gritting his teeth and flattening his ears.. This was painful to his soul. He desperately reminded himself it was for her betterment. Even so, he couldn't help but to feel as if he were a villain, betraying someone who trusted him. Not only that, but now the mosca was going to have a strengthened fear of wiurns. Not ideal, considering he owned ten of the winged reptiles.. He'd eventually need to help Mira grow accustomed to them.
But for now, the task at hand - getting out of a sticky situation. He didn't quite know how to encourage the young cat to squirm and writhe until free from his grasp, so he only beckoned for the wiurn to continue his approach. Nazura obliged, though hesitantly. The noise was unbearable. The already irritable reptile grew increasingly so, snorting and tossing his head in annoyance. The gestures, though only his expression of displeasure at the moment, were perceived as an elevated threat by the mosca. Mira's eyes almost seemed to bulge out of their sockets during her frantic attempts to ward the wiurn away. The beast beast was going to eat her! She had to escape..
Mira: Loosen Feathers/Fur - 2 Nazura: Accept Noise - 7
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Post by Xentus on Aug 5, 2020 3:57:20 GMT -6
Her yowls of despair and terror fell on purposefully deaf ears. Xentus hated the stress he was causing to both of his animals. The sooner this was over, the better. They just had to hold through this, then they'd get showered in treats and love. Desperate claws scraped against the leather glove, frantic to find some means to freedom. But the man's grip held tight through the squirming and thrashing. With every slow step forward by the wiurn, the mosca's terror increased.
Escape.. There was no escape. But the fight continued. The feline was willful, and until she met her end by the gnashing teeth of the terrible beast before her, she was going to continue flailing and yowling. And in a particularly violent thrash, the mosca found herself able to move! Her legs kicked up dirt as she darted away, running for the nearest source of cover - an overgrown bush. Xentus called out her name in surprise, but much too late to prevent the creature from disappearing from sight. He was partially puzzled, amazed, and still very guilty feeling. Scraps of fur in his fist were the only traces left of the feline. No blood or skin, which he was afraid of.
Mira: Loosen Feathers/Fur - 3 Nazura: Accept Noise - 8
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Post by Xentus on Aug 5, 2020 4:05:34 GMT -6
The ordeal lasted only about a minute, but it felt like one of the longest minutes of his life. A minute, however, was much too long. That kind of time taken in an attempt to make an escape from the clutches of an enemy would mean almost certain death. Every passing second was precious in the midst of battle. And so, they would need to reset and try again. The man sighed, standing from his (un)comfortable spot on the ground and greeted the flaming wiurn.
"Thank you, Nazura. Please, endure this for a little longer..", he solemnly whispered into the beast's face plate as he pressed his forehead against it. A hot snort was the only response he received. He took that as a 'fine, but I won't like it'. He left the wiurn to its own devices as he retrieved his cat.
--
After coaxing Mira out of the bush with treats, they were ready to start again. This time, from a more calm state. For better or worse.. The leopard murmured an apology to the mosca as he gripped her fur, and again called for the wiurn to make his approach. The flaming lizard's pace was steady, triggering Mira into thrashing and yelling out with a shrieking cry.
Mira: Loosen Feathers/Fur - 4 Nazura: Accept Noise - 9
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