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Post by Xentus on Oct 28, 2020 23:49:14 GMT -6
Undoubtedly, it know him as its master. Its bonded one. The one to make pleased, the one to keep safe. Its thoughts were these simple sounds which he could somewhat make out as words. Ah, such fascinating creatures. Xentus rested his chin on his hand, thinking on how this all might change once granted the gift of free thought. Part of him hoped that the golem's voice would stay this strange, hollow chime that spoke in near-words. But, he also wished to hold a true conversation with the creature. Which.. Might be a bit difficult if he needed to spent a minute comprehending its thoughts. And while he enjoyed this little experiment with the seedling and knowing its thoughts, the constant din of its voice was starting to become droll. The ribbon was removed, for now. At least until it was a little more mature and ready for the chaos ring.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 29, 2020 2:14:36 GMT -6
In the while before it was a walker, there wasn't much the leopard could think of to do with the seedling. The golems weren't the most 'useful' at this age, nor could they move or do much of anything really. He'd gone through this so many times before, and yet he was always a bit at a loss when it came to spending time with the simple creatures. They were little more than living paperweights, unfortunately. And while he found them interesting, there was only so much he could discern from the seedling aged golems. Though he was satisfied for the moment, he was going to need to figure out means of feeding Astraea.. Xentus hummed thoughtfully and stood from his desk, claws reaching to clutch the young golem to bring it along. Astraea clattered in his grasp, seeming excited about moving to a new spot. Or just to be in the mammalian's firm hold.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 29, 2020 3:08:44 GMT -6
Xentus brought the creature to the kitchen with him, tapping the radio on as he passed it. He was just in time to hear something about a drunken farmer who'd gone missing for the past three days. The city news was usually filled with minor filler at this hour. Not something which concerned him, but he did still like to stay somewhat informed. Sometimes he'd catch when the next contest was or the winner of whatever fight was going on. It wasn't too long ago that he'd heard his very own champion-status announcement. And with that, a thought passed through the leopard's mind. He could practice training Astraea to battle like that.. And with much less worry and guilt that it might get hurt. The golem was a difficult creature to harm, let alone truly kill. And while he needed no form of glory, there was a certain feeling of reassurance when he was victorious in battle.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 29, 2020 3:20:47 GMT -6
Rather, when he saw Mira victorious in battle. Knowing that he raised her well enough to overcome her fright darkness. To soar in the sky. To take down her enemies and prey. It was an odd benchmark to desire to pass, but it was one that felt.. Driving. That feel of competition, the desire to prevail. He had to admit, there was a certain kind of thrill to battle. He lifted Astraea up to be at eye level, judging what kind of capacity she might have for battle. Knowing the mature stalker, this little seedling might just become a battle champion one day. And if not for battle, then show was a much safer alternative. Even though he'd never had much luck with it thus far. There was much the seedling could aspire to be. And much he could grow it to be. As with all that he'd hoped to do, it was only a matter of time and effort.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 29, 2020 3:48:23 GMT -6
Patience was usually among that list as well, but it was a virtue that he felt wouldn't be nearly as necessary thanks to the chaos ring. The golems in general were.. Awfully dense creatures. They needed to spend a good amount of time to learn simple commands, and complex tasks needed to be broken down into very basic components. There was an innate desire that they had to please their bonded one though, which seemed like it helped the creatures be motivated toward whatever end their master had. Xentus hadn't yet tested the limits of this boon, nor was he even certain how to. The most he'd done in 'training' a golem at any given age was in the gardens, teaching a walker to uproot weeds. Not exactly a crowning achievement. With Astraea, he hoped to accomplish so much more. So much that he wasn't sure what all to even do!
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Post by Xentus on Oct 30, 2020 15:43:09 GMT -6
As with any creature, he had to start small. Teach its name, perhaps some basic obedience should he feel the need. And from there.. The sky was the limit (quite literally, considering the lack of flight these things had). With how pleased he was to even have managed to create the glass golem, he felt that he'd be finding himself spending a great deal of time with the creature. It already felt like he had, in a way, considering he nurtured and raised six different individuals to give rise to this one. The past few months of toting around seedlings and walking walkers was an eventful one. While there was still 'work' to be done, this whole golem rearing venture was starting to come to a close. Seven golems remained in his care, only two of them still seedlings. Once the walkers had grown.. Well, they'd be fused then he'd raise their progeny, and then this task would be complete.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 30, 2020 15:48:53 GMT -6
Which was.. Yes, still a great deal of work. But the self imparted urgency to complete the task had certainly petered out. His main goal was reached. His sub-goal was to create all of the elemental combinations possible. So in all, he was very satisfied with Astraea alone. The leopard placed the seedling on the counter top and hummed, still musing on thoughts.
"Astraea, what is it which you enjoy the most, hmm?", he asked the seedling, knowing it lacked any true response to this question. Yet still the creature clattered its shell in a crude mimicry of speech to reply. A smile rest on the leopard's muzzle, a clawed hand gently petting that stony shell. Perhaps this question was one to ask when he gifted the ring. Ah, he was so very looking forward to when Astraea could walk with him and talk with him. The ever patient leopard could be impatient at times.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 30, 2020 15:55:23 GMT -6
The full growth of the seedling took about a week, and he knew this all too well. Stepping back a moment, he'd hardly considered that Astraea was only a single day old. When compared to mammals, it was already asking a lot of a creature to even sit up on its own at such an age! But as far as he knew, the development of the golem was one that was most likened to insects. An ant for example, once fully mature, knew what it had to do for its colony, spurred by the hivemind and pheromones of her sisters. The golems were much the same, except spurred by the presence of its bonded one. So he did feel less guilty for planning his future ventures with the golem. It would be ready for whatever he wanted it to do - as these creatures even slayed themselves if he so desired.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 30, 2020 16:23:07 GMT -6
It was.. Odd at first to have a creature so devoted to himself that it would 'kill' itself on command. The first time he commanded such was the fusion he performed between water and earth stalkers. He willed for them to give up their forms, to revert back into mere seeds. The process of which was fascinating. Their bodies seemed to dissolve away, leaving only the seed within the carapace. All of the energy coalesced back into the seed, which glowed vibrantly. The two energized seeds were almost drawn to one another, and merged within a minute of being in the other's touch. And then.. A new, single seed was left. The process was utterly fascinating to the leopard. And so it was fairly easy for him to accept this cycle as normal enough. But, he was also quite glad this wouldn't need to happen with Astraea. Even if she were devoted enough to do so.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 30, 2020 17:03:40 GMT -6
Ah, for all he knew, the process of her rise to free will might even break this bond. Left as a free spirit so accompany him as she wished. But he did have the feeling it would only enhance this bond. To have her be the utmost loyal companion. One with understanding. He did come to a bit of a mental wall in that he couldn't figure whether to think Astraea as a friend or a pet. A being or a creature. She was a bit of both. He supposed it wouldn't matter either way, it was only a matter of his personal comfort. That glistening white seed stared back at him, almost waiting for what he determined. But in the end, companion seemed to suit the most. A friend, a pet, a loyal sidekick. All worked. The leopard smiled to himself and turned away to start his day. It was going to be tough keeping himself occupied with this excitement for the future.
> Exeunt Xentus, Astraea (25)
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Post by Xentus on Nov 2, 2020 5:44:56 GMT -6
> Xentus, accompanied by...
In the moments before him reaching for the chain, he had to question, was this worth it? Effectively plundering a dragon's nest.. For what reward? The promise of some 'prized stock'? What was that even! This necklace had better be worth it. Of the things he didn't quite think through well, this ranked in the top ten. The dragon before him loosed a deep breath, seeming to pick up on the scent of his blood in the air. He witnessed its eye opening, nictitating membrane sliding away to reveal a piercing yellow eye staring at him groggily. It didn't take long for the great drake to come to its senses, roar bubbling in its throat. Acidity behind him clattered feebly in response - a desperate attempt to intimidate the stirring beast. Pores opened along its body, dripping a caustic ooze. If the drake wanted a fight, it would give it whatever fight it could in order to defend its master.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 2, 2020 5:52:10 GMT -6
Not good. Not good. Xentus clutched the chain tightly and ran back toward the cavern wall just as the drake spread its wings and loosed a deep roar. It was a display which was more for intimidation than anything, though an impressive one nonetheless. While he was usually one to be unphased, he was shaken. Acidity stood its ground. It was ready to defend him, truly. He couldn't let it. It was no match for a fully grown drake! Perhaps if it were a mature stalker, sure, but.. The leopard quickly thought through his options. To let the golem attempt to ward off the drake was a valid one, so long the dragon wasn't fierce enough to stand its ground. If it didn't work, then he could grab the walker and make a run for it. Or maybe find a means to distract the dragon somehow? There wasn't much to do.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 2, 2020 5:58:34 GMT -6
It was like time was moving in slow motion, thoughts processing too slowly still. If he had papilio, he could fly out, but the dragon would undoubtedly give chase through the air anyway. The leopard's eyes darted about the cave, but it was much too dark to see anything past an extended arm. And that gave him an idea -just to bide them some time.. The leopard shouted at the beast, garnering its attention. Its head snapped away from the golem, eyes locking onto the man with a terrifying growl. He hoped this would work. The flashlight flicked on, beam pointed directly at the dragon's eyes. Its form was revealed to him in full, a stunning black drake with short horns and a clubbed tail. It recoiled from the flash of light blinding it, reeling back.
"Acidity, do something!", the leopard called urgently to the golem, hoping to spur it to action in these fleeting moments.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 2, 2020 6:07:15 GMT -6
Already fueled by the desire to aid its master, to defend it from this beast, the golem was already well riled up to act. It lined its pores to face toward the drake, then loosed a column of acid at the dragon. The burning liquid met its target, searing the scales and causing the beast to cry out in pain. It was almost impressive that the small golem could actually come to bring harm to the drake. But the drake could undoubtedly do much more in turn, should it get the chance. And Xentus was not keen on letting that happen. He chucked a rock at the beast to aid in warding it away, then grabbed his golem so they could make a hasty retreat. The walker was raring to keep going, shell still clattering while in the leopard's hold. It didn't squirm or struggle against him, thankfully, giving itself up to whatever its master did with it.
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Post by Xentus on Nov 2, 2020 6:12:05 GMT -6
It kept its head pointed at the dragon, watching as the beast seemed to cower back and lick its wound. Xentus opted not to look back. His heart beat heavily in his chest, filling his ears while all he could think of was gaining as much distance between himself and the path of that untamed beast. The tight squeeze! He had to get back there to be safe. It was hard to recall the path he took after the birds, eyes darting about the cavern for anything that he remembered as a landmark. The stream and the pockmarked wall. He had to look for it. The water, of course, didn't flow upstream. So he had to descent further, right. The leopard was met with a fork at a widened cavern room. The left path seemed to go up. Right, it wasn't that way. Behind him, he could've sworn he heard the sound of a riled beast starting to scrape its way after him.
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