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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 16:55:41 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 16:55:41 GMT -6
Xentus kept himself suspended in the air as he waited for the owl to recover from the tiring venture. A couple meaty treat were passed to her accompanied by praise and beak rubs. In the back of his mind, he wondered what it would feel like to cling tightly to her feathers as she flew through the air. Perhaps, once she grew accustomed to this flying thing, that would be her last test. To fly with the weight of a person on her back. Given her massive size, it didn't really seem like it would be a problem. She was stronger than he could really wrap his head around.
"Ready to go again, Mashiik?", he asked with a growing grin on his muzzle. Mashiik perked up and cocked her head to gaze upon the flighted leopard. It was amazing how he could sustain himself in the air so effortlessly.. Or at least, that is what he wanted to impression upon her.
Fly - 6
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 17:28:34 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 17:28:34 GMT -6
That look she gave was enough for him to set off again, calling for her as he jetted off across the grass field. Mashiik still had that goofy plodding trod as she gave chase after him, which made him laugh. He also noticed she was more willing to use her wings, already starting to flutter and flap to help gain speed.
"Good, Mashiik! Fly!"
The command rang out, urging the giant golden owl to take to the air. Her wings put more effort into the downstroke; more power, more finesse. The upstroke slowly became more refined, feathers parting just right to let air slide between them without losing altitude. Instinct was kicking in, powering each thrust. Her legs still galloped beneath her, even though they ceased to touch the ground. She was doing it! Unsteady, but it was definitely progress. Xentus cheered her on and flew higher, faster. Her eyes locked on to her master, gleaming.
Fly - 7
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 17:42:56 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 17:42:56 GMT -6
Now, it would be a travesty to come to learn that Mashiik was afraid of heights. Her gaze was so intent on her master, that she hadn't taken the time to realize that her surroundings had transformed to open air. Her feet still ran as if inches from the ground, funnily enough. Smiling, Xentus allowed the distance between them to lessen, holding out his palm. The owl was much faster in flight than treading upon the earth, and with a few pumps of her wings, was able to touch her beak to the feline's outstretched hand.
Xentus lived for moments like these. Even if it didn't take any effort at all for him to fly, his heart was racing. Such a thrill! He was beaming, happily calling praise to the Alurook as he helped her descend back to the ground, hand-to-beak all the while. Even with this being her first actual flight, Mashiik seemed to have great control already.
Fly - 8
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 18:01:33 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 18:01:33 GMT -6
"Land, Mashiik"
With all of her focus on him, getting her back down to the ground was a simple, albeit slow process. He had to help her round back towards the launch zone, assisting in turning and pivoting in flight. Slowing down was also more of a task than he was expecting as well. Mashiik flapped her wings powerfully and really seemed to enjoy doing so. Getting her to relax and lighten up on her thrusts was a bit tough. But, with enough beak pressing, the giant golden owl seemed to get the hint. She eased into a glide, seeming nervous about keeping in the air without using any power. With encouragement as gently as he could muster against the roar of wind, the leopard was able to ease the tension.
Xentus did his best to keep his eyes locked to the great beast before him, mostly in an effort to assure her success and strengthen their bond.
Fly - 9 Land - 1
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 18:15:21 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 18:15:21 GMT -6
Slowly but certainly, the two returned to the grassy earth. To fly with such a stunning creature left a feeling that he still couldn't get over. Exhilarating! And he certainly was proud of his co-pilot. Mashiik was tired out a little less than her previous attempt, but tuckered out nonetheless. Xentus decided to let her rest for a little longer this time before attempting a mounted flight. Which meant time for praise!
"Xentus is very proud of you, Mashiik, such a good fly! and very good land!", he warmly commended, accentuating each command, "Excellent work" Mashiik was just as happy to accept the praise with beak scratches as she was to receive a tasty treat. Although she was always fond of the leopard, this training session certainly brought the two of them much closer together. The golden Alurook lavished in the beak rubs as long as she could before the mammalian pointed her off to eat her meaty treat.
Fly - 10 Land - 2
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 18:31:25 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 18:31:25 GMT -6
Xentus was already feeling quite satisfied in his progress with Mashiik today. She had learned so much, so fast! That keen mind of hers really shined. There was always more to teach her, but this felt like the peak of the day. He didn't want to ruin the feeling bogging the both of them down with more things to try. Anything else would have to wait for another training session. It was time to close this one out.
Some time passed to let the pair rest before taking on the grand test of the day. A mounted flight. Xentus kept his jetpack donned just in case anything went horribly wrong. Falling to his doom while flying on the back of what was essentially a fledgling in terms of avian flight development was not the way he wanted to die. He clambered up the bird's back and made himself comfortable.
"Let's go, Mashiik. Fly!"
Fly - 11
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 18:39:48 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 18:39:48 GMT -6
The added weight of the leopard on her back was hardly noticeable to the bird when idly standing, but as she went for a running start, her stomping run was a little shaky. It was something to get used to. But for the sake of her master, the Alurook compelled herself to break into flight. Her wings spread out, and with a thrust and a bound, she left the ground. Xentus clung tightly to the feathers around her neck, keeping his body as close to the golden plumage as he could. The shock of her steps were a little jarring.. But, once she began to gain lift, the motion smoothed out. Her body leveled out, making it much more comfortable to sit on as opposed to her upright stance. And it was at this point that he felt she definitely succeeded in his test.
Now... The problem was getting her to return to the ground without help. "Land, Mashiik", the leopard called out to the bird against the wing, hoping the simple word going to be enough..
Fly - 12 Land - 3
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 18:50:47 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 18:50:47 GMT -6
As it turned out, getting back to the ground without the helping hand on her beak was a little more difficult than expected. With nothing to focus her eyes on but the ground, it seemed like a much more daunting task. Mashiik's wingbeats became unsteady, on the verge of panic. The leopard on her back was immediately alerted to the change in her pace, quickly figuring what to do. Calm her down.
"Easy, Mashiik, it's ok", he cooed as gently as he could against the rush of the wind, rubbing the avian's neck feathers, "Xentus is here, you're ok, shh. You can do it, land. Easy now."
His words fought against the mounting panic. Mashiik's wing beats threatened to falter and send her plummeting to the earth like a rock. The leopard's gut feelings cried out for him to take flight and abandon his precious pet in her moment of peril, to save himself.
Land - 4
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 19:00:40 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 19:00:40 GMT -6
But such an act would betray the bone he had wored so hard to forge between them. No, he would never abandon her. The leopard steeled himself and did his best to reassure the bird, trusting in her ability.
"Come on, Mashiik, steady now. Land", he urged, pressing himself as close to her head as he could from his perch upon her back. He could feel a shift in the muscles beneath him, control being regained. Mashiik steadied herself, wings thrusting powerfully down in an attempt to make for a controlled landing. The earth below no longer threatened to collide with them. With silent wings, Mashiik managed to guide herself to the ground, feet making contact with the grass after a short few moments. It felt like much longer, time seeming to slow once the panic set in.
With a sigh of relief, Xentus took to praising the owl for not only succeeding in flying with him on her back, but also making a safe landing all on her own! "Well done, Mashiik, so very well done"
Land - 5
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 19:11:05 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 19:11:05 GMT -6
Xentus let himself melt into the fluffy golden plumage of the owl. Ah, that was almost a scare. But, Mashiik pulled through, just as he knew she would. He buried his face deep into her downy fluff, whispering exhausted praise into the feathers. His heart needed a break. Although he never really faltered in the face of danger, something about potential danger coming to his beloved pets was something he couldn't bear. Especially when he would be powerless to save them from it.. How would one exactly save a giant owl from falling to her doom after locking up in flight? Thankfully, he didn't have to entertain that thought.
Mashiik was a little winded herself, but otherwise fine. She turned her head around to peer at her master, only to find that he was mostly buried under her golden feathers. A curious 'coo' sounded from the owl, as if it see if he was the one who was alright after this ordeal.
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 19:27:49 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 19:27:49 GMT -6
After giving himself enough time to settle down (and to enjoy the soft feel of down against his face), the leopard eventually lifted himself from the plumage. His eyes met the concerned bird's gaze almost immediately. With a chuckle, he assured her that he was fine. That was certainly enough thrill for today. Carefully, he clambered down her back and led the way back to their training plot. The flight had driven them quite some distance away. That was fine, all the more time to enjoy the company of the glimmering owl.
"Good work today, Mashiik. Time to go", he decidedly told the bird upon reaching the patch of dirt he called sub dio. A lot of good progress today! He was definitely looking forward to furthering her training in the future. The leopard doffed his jetpack and folded it neatly away into his pack. The Alurook waited patiently, watching the mammalian man gather up his scattered tools. After a short wait, it seemed like he was all set.
"Let's head home."
> Exeunt Xentus and Mashiik (85).
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 23:30:47 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 23:30:47 GMT -6
> Xentus, accompanied by...
Kyrio, the wiurn
The dawn of a new day gave rise to a new creature in the training plot. His scales were a brilliant purple shade, dotted with glowing markings and body studded with glimmering gems. He was... A flamboyant looking wiurn, to say the least. And he knew this well. This being had a personality to match his appearance, and wasn't afraid to gloat about it.
Much to the leopard's distaste. They sat there in the dirt ring, staring eye to eye. The blue furred mammalian was settled atop a gnarled root. The overgrown winged lizard was crouched before him, tail curled carefully around his wings. To an onlooker, it would seem the both were in great contemplation. And to some extent, they would be right.
{No. I don't like that one}, the purple lizard pressed distastefully.
[What about... Levardus? It sounds nice, no?], the mammalian man tried.
Name - 1
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 23:43:35 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 23:43:35 GMT -6
[Xentus is running out of names for you], he exasperatedly conveyed to the stubborn beast, rubbing his half-horn. He had thought of at least ten other names for this wiurn before him, all of which were rejected for the reason that the being simply didn't like them. Levardus was also rejected. He really liked that one too..
{Why can I not be Xentus?}, it asked, craning its long neck to maintain contact with the mammalian's eyes.
[That name already has an owner], the leopard replied with a sigh. Of all names the creature actually liked, why did it have to be his own? Though, somehow he had a feeling the beast was simply playing its one sided game in its best effort to annoy him. It often did this. Being the only naturally telepathic creature in his care, Xentus was not very used to its voice intruding into his mind. He had some experience with those magical ribbons that allowed communication between owners and their pets, but they could be taken off when needed. [Kyrio?]
Name - 2
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Sub Dio
Mar 6, 2020 23:51:28 GMT -6
Post by Xentus on Mar 6, 2020 23:51:28 GMT -6
And with that, a pause. Xentus perked up, affirming his gaze to the wiurn as if to question the sudden silence. This purple lizard was one he often left alone, mainly because it was rather.. Self absorbed. It didn't care for him much, he felt. He let Xio handle any needs the being demanded, within reason. The trod was rather susceptible to the telepathic form of communication, and it seemed the wiurn played on this as often as it could. One day, the poor droid would likely end up going haywire if he didn't take some time to teach the creature some manners.
But that begs the question, how does one teach manners to an intelligent, giant winged purple lizard who could speak directly into the mind, and could probably melt one's face off with prismatic beams if it so desired? Xentus was about to find out.
{Kyrio.. I might like that one}, the wiurn stated after taking its time to contemplate.
Name - 3
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Post by Xentus on Mar 8, 2020 2:43:55 GMT -6
Was this a break through? Xentus clasped his hands and stood up from his seat atop the root, eyeing the creature carefully. The wiurn's brilliant blue eyes never left contact with his, except to blink, its persistent staring becoming rather creepy at this point. It was almost a test to see if it could unnerve him by gaze alone. Which wasn't working. But the leopard liked to play along and let the wiurn believe it did. "Kyrio", Xentus slowly said aloud, testing the name. It rolled off the tongue well, short and sweet. Admittedly, the names he came up with usually had no meaning in particular. His own lacked a meaning. He liked to think that by having a meaningless name, one could forge what it meant on their own. He hoped his name would come to reflect patience. He needed quite a lot of it just to get through this training session. {It sounds different when you say it like that}, the purple wiurn pointed out thoughtfully, tilting its head. Name - 4
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