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Post by Silver on Jun 25, 2021 18:49:07 GMT -6
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Post by Nadia on Jun 26, 2021 13:36:17 GMT -6
The water helped. It wasn't an instant reprieve, but the more she took, the better Nadia felt - it didn't have the soothing power that milk did for spice, but it was something. At the very least, it didn't make it worse. Even more helpful was the reassurance. Her posture relaxed, and she leaned into the knight's hold (whether conscious or not), exhaling a steady breath through her nose. The bowl emptied. Once the final drains had been imbibed, she gently coaxed the rim away from her mouth. "Quite sore..." There was a twinge of humour, but it wasn't the usual playful tease. It was difficult to get the words out with her throat still stinging. "But that helped. Sarv, I--" Whatever she was about to say, it was cut short by Dylan yapping. The pup had jumped down to turn towards a fire pit, his tail wagging with excitement; he could see another creature! A... funny looking one, but a creature nonetheless. Nadia strained to sit up to look at the source of the commotion. "What...?" It was hard to distinguish the kitten through teary eyes. "Cat...?" [57]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 26, 2021 13:47:53 GMT -6
For once the knight's expression didn't need to be guessed, although it seemed to change little, perhaps out of habit. There's a small twitch in the corner of the mouth, just where a thin scar runs along the cheek - The best approximation of a smile, given the usual serious demeanour, but the voice continues to remain the same level of assuring. "Good, good. There is more water should you need it, but it's best to take it easy until things pass." The hand at her back remains, offering a point of support and leverage in one, should she feel the need to shift or rest against him, but he does place the bowl down with the other one.
And just as quickly, the expression narrows back into alertness, when the hound gives off a yapping alarm. The head turns to the pup at first, before sharply switches over to the opposite side, lining up what it is barking and staring at. A cat indeed.. or the manor's best approximation of one.. but a large one. A very large one. This is no house cat, by size alone much less when taking into account the wings on its back (Some fey-related magic, perhaps?).
A sense of tension runs through him, arms included. Until this beast can display a clear type of intention, it could very well be that they end up as lunch, instead.
(We'd like a staff reply after we've both replied for the taming, going forward, please~)
. 30 . (added) June: 58
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Post by Silver on Jun 28, 2021 7:34:31 GMT -6
Until that moment, the Caterfly had spent its day generally lazing about uninterrupted. As it had chosen one of the noisiest times of year to lay down and take a nap, it was not bothered by a crackle here and a bang there. What it was bothered by, apparently, was the sound of pointed yapping. The Caterfly jumped to its feet and puffed out its bright wings before it could even consider what was happening. Though its stance was clearly designed to make it look bigger than it was, it had a mixture of fear and curiosity in its eyes. Who dare wake it from its warm summer slumber?
[Gotcha.]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 29, 2021 4:32:55 GMT -6
Oh dear - the creature was bigger than Nadia had first thought, and the way it leapt to attention made her flinch. Fascinatingly beautiful, though. She'd not seen anything that looked quite like that before. Neither had Dylan, judging by the commotion he was making about it. "There, there," She did her best to reassure him as she sat up further, swinging her legs down from the table. She couldn't lay there forever. A soothing hand on the top of his head, and the houluh turned to her, tail still lashing with excitement. "No need, no need. Fear not." Afraid of fire, but not afraid of poisoned foods or potentially dangerous animals. It was luck that she'd kept some of Dylan's meaty treats on hand; she rummaged for the packet in her satchel, giving a weak smile of success when she managed to pull them out. Gosh, everything felt like an effort. "Do you... like food?" Her brain wasn't up to speed yet, either. A few treats were tossed in the direction of the caterfly, some closer and some further, to develop a makeshift trail. "Please do not savage us..." [59]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 29, 2021 6:19:18 GMT -6
The cat isn't the only one to react to such things, as the knight slowly stands and, in response to the display, seems to inadvertently do the (more subtle) human version of the same with his posture. (Perhaps more instinctual than he'd like, but knightly or not, it was better to hedge their bets). The hand reaches behind him and with a quick snap of the fingers, there's a small sound of vacuum behind them, as something is removed from reality, and a brief displacement of air as the glaive re-apparates into his out held hand. He keeps it behind him, for now.. but the head is locked on the cat. (Which isn't the same as eyes locked on it. In fact, the eyes scan the surroundings as well, because something standing as the centre of attention could well blind to things on the sides).
Initially he doesn't move, but as the lady shifts, there's a slow dutiful step aside to give her and the pup space - A lady needs her breathing room after all, especially after such a suffocating episode. However, when she begins to throw the treats out, he does ask in a low, quiet tone, head nocked closer to her, "Are you sure this is wise, my lady?"
. 31 . June: 60
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Post by Silver on Jun 29, 2021 6:31:31 GMT -6
The creature watches, slightly more curious than afraid. Its ears are held back in a subtle threat. If the situation changes, it might just decide that curiosity was not the best route after all. Its eyes are fixated on the lady as she begins to move, and not just because she was close to the yapping thing that had first woke it up.
When the first treat hits the ground, the creature jumps and the fur along its back bristles up. Then it pauses to sniff the air. It goes from completely stiff to a little more relaxed. Could anyone be angry with the smell of such delicious food around? It had to taste better than those glowing bugs, anyway.
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Post by Nadia on Jun 29, 2021 6:45:16 GMT -6
It was afraid. Nadia understood - the poor thing was being accosted by creatures it had never seen before, and worst of all, had been woken from its nap for the trouble. If they couldn’t get along as friends, the treats would at least be compensation for the inconvenience of being disturbed. “Perhaps not,” She replied, croaky voice soft to avoid startling the caterfly further. “But I believe… I believe if it had intended to harm us, it would have done so already.” Talking was difficult, still. The stinging was subsiding and she was returning to her sensibility, but it was taking her much longer to eke a sentence out, and her throat was raw. What an unfortunate turn of events. If she could walk away knowing she had done at least a fragment of good for a mansion inhabitant, she’d be happy. Dylan looked keen to scoop up the treats, but she stood between him and them - he huffed in response. “I don’t wish you harm,” She cooed, crouching down to the level of the caterfly with a wince. Stiff. One hand held out the bag of treats. “Nothing to fear. Only something to be gained.” [61]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 29, 2021 7:01:22 GMT -6
The instinct is not to trust the manor, largely because it has so far thrown a number of things at both him and the lady, stolen creatures for fun, tricked, toyed, messed with minds (Some instances more directly than others), to only list a few. (But then, he doesn't exactly trust a lot of things). The knight doesn't respond to the reasoning, leaving it unclear if he agrees, or simply does trust her judgement on the matter. The expression remaining a solid unreadable certainly not helping matters.
Admittedly, it's not exactly a desirable outcome to start a fight with something the size of a mountain lion, and probably magical on top. So, perhaps she has a point. (After all, why make enemies, when you can find friends?)
The knight's posture relaxes slightly, the glaive lowering, a clear sign of submitting to her decision to try and befriend this beast. "Very well," he finally says, "But should it decide to attack, please try to find safety as quickly as possible, my lady." The serious expression, but softer tone indicate there would be a 'while I fight it off' tacked on the end, but it goes unsaid. He stands back, close enough to intervene should it be needed, far enough to avoid it spooking at his presence. (Goddess knows, it's not likely to help either way).
. 32 . June: 62
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Post by Silver on Jun 29, 2021 16:37:09 GMT -6
As Nadia crouches down to make herself less of a threat, the Caterfly considers its options. It's not every day that treats just appear in front of it. It glances up at Nadia, then the knight, then back down to the treat. Is it possible to grab the treat without interference? It slowly crept forward and grabbed the treat in its mouth. Then it looked directly into Nadia's eyes. Could it trust her?
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Post by Nadia on Jun 29, 2021 16:50:15 GMT -6
It was going well. Nadia stayed as still as she could while the caterfly retrieved its treat, moving only to hold out a hand to Sarv - a request that he stay put. If the knight made too much noise or set Dylan off, the whole thing would be jeopardised. It was best that one person focused on bonding. Speaking of the houluh, he had to be dealt with in case he started hollering again. A handful of the treats had been spooned out, enough to keep him occupied with chewing for a while; Dylan’s snout was jammed right into them nigh instantly as he lost all interest in the creature. Food was king. “Dear thing,” She murmured. Slowly, steadily, the hand that had gestured to the knight moved to be held out to the caterfly. Palm open, but thumb tucked in. Nothing to hide. An open offer of honesty (and hopefully friendship). “May we be acquainted?” [63]
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Post by Èdan on Jun 29, 2021 17:24:57 GMT -6
As the beast approaches, the grip on the glaive subtly tightens.. but he does not move. He cannot. Even if the lady had assumed to leave him without instruction on the matter, the play of the scene is quite clear - This is a battle of wills, of trust. One false move could cause instincts to flare and the results, then, would be most unfortunate. And he can't afford to be the cause of the false move, not while the lady is putting herself out there, essentially within striking range.
No, for better or for worse, he has to trust Nadia on this. The creatures of this City might remain a confusing mystery to him, all filled with magic and curious sciences, but there are others in the City who have more experience and skills with them, who are more adept at taming the shreds of wild within, through strength of resolve.. or gentleness of touch.
So, Sarv remains where he is, watching things unfold, but making no indication he intends to intervene. (At least, assuming things go smoothly. If not, well.. He'd have to rely on that quickfooted thinking, instead).
. 33 . June: 64
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Post by Silver on Jun 29, 2021 17:44:23 GMT -6
It gulps down one treat, then the next, and a third, until... it was face to face with the lady. It blinked up at her again. Was that a sign that it was willing to trust her? Well she did have tasty snacks, and she had not yet tried to hurt it. It pauses for a long moment, as if it were weighing its fates.
"Brrrow?" it chirps. Was it accepting her terms? Well, it sure seemed like it.
[Congrats! You've tamed the Caterfly.]
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Post by Nadia on Jun 30, 2021 15:18:23 GMT -6
Nadia beamed. It was nice, to get a win after whatever had just happened - now that her sensibility was returning, she was regaining the ability to be embarrassed. Really? Eating strange food, having even said that she didn't trust the mansion's offerings, and somehow being surprised that it had a sting in the tail? She wasn't going to be able to look Sarv in the face for a while. "Marvellous," She murmured to herself as she tucked the treat bag back into her satchel. There was no need to force the caterfly to stick close, or to leash it; if it wanted to follow, she trusted it would. As long as Dylan didn't scare it off. She'd be keeping that pup on a tight leash, literally. "And not a person harmed-- ouch." Straightening back up was difficult. Her houluh whimpered and came forward to paw at her leg in concern. [65]
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Post by Silver on Jun 30, 2021 16:42:16 GMT -6
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