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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2023 23:52:44 GMT -6
Was it a wise idea to try to hand-feed a halberd shark? Absolutely not. But it was the progress point Xentus was striving for. Surely that would be a feat few others had achieved. The leopard watched the shark's feast carefully, then leaned forward to reach into the water. Bold. He was being far too bold, he thought to himself. But for just a moment did his hand feel the sandpaper-like skin of the shark before it jerked away from his touch. He thought at first that the beast disliked the feel of being petted. It only took a moment of tracking the shark's movement that the real reason was revealed - it sensed living prey. In the waters were some sizable fish that seemed to stray far too close to the shark for their own good. Those two fish were going to make another friend alright. This friend was sharp, pointy, and had rows of countless teeth.
"Not again..", the man groaned to himself and grabbed the metal pole he'd been using to combat against the shark in previous tussles.
Taming - 1 26
No Bites - 6
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Post by Xentus on Nov 12, 2023 20:25:34 GMT -6
Xentus steeled his resolve and plunged himself into the river.
Once the bubbles stopped swirling before his eyes, he could see the shadow of the shark and two other large fish. Just as he expected, Serethal was making its way toward the rather playful looking fish. Stalking them. It certainly could rush in and snap at either one, but it seemed to be taking its time. Thinking on how to make its attack. Xentus was mildly surprised, he didn't figure the beast would have any sense of forethought. But as he swam closer, he could better make out the prey it sought after; a living pincushion and a nearly invisible jellyfish. Predators know better than to rush such prey. The pinball would leave it a mouth of spikes and the squirt was impossible to see clearly, hardly worth striking at.
This gave Xentus an opportune moment to swim in and keep the shark at bay. From above he came and plunged the metal rod before the beast's nose and mouth, thwarting its first attempt to attack the unsuspecting fish. Serethal reeled back and swam off quickly, while Xentus peered over at the playing fish. The pinball puffed up and, well, he couldn't see the squirt anymore. He gave them a friendly grin, thought he was certain they'd not know it to be a friendly gesture.
Taming - 2 27
No Bites - 7
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Post by Xentus on Nov 12, 2023 20:54:36 GMT -6
The pinball eyed the mammalian carefully, trying to determine whether or not to include him in its game with the squirt. Cats were always party poopers. But it didn't go beyond its notice that he did manage to scare off that looming bladed shark. It stayed puffed, but decided to wiggle its way toward the man curiously. Xentus blew some bubbles at it to distract it for the time being, then turned his attention back to the shark. It didn't take long for it to come back for round two. Its eyes were set on the man, seeming partly furious and partly cautious. It was beginning to get the idea that he was tough prey to take down… And perhaps not even prey at all. Still, there was plenty of fury left fueling its jaws!
The shark began to charge at the leopard. The two faced off, Xentus pulling his attention away from the smaller fish. It seemed dismayed at this though, and brushed up against his back to get his attention back. The man bristled up at the sensation of the needles poking his hind, breaking his focus as rows of teeth opened before his eyes. Bubbles rushed from his mouth in both pain and surprise. He managed to hold the metal rod out to stifle the gnashing jaws, but now he struggled to keep his grip!
Taming - 3 28
No Bites - 8
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Post by Xentus on Nov 12, 2023 21:16:55 GMT -6
The shark bit down again and again on the rod, trying to find a means to sink its teeth in. As much as Xentus would've liked to scold it, he could only blow bubbles with his remaining breath. He needed to bat it away! And get this spiky fish off him! And soon he also felt invisible tentacles draping over his face to make matters even more hectic. Was he doing something wrong? Or was it entirely right? Whatever the case, it was a lot for him to juggle at once.
The bout of panic subsided as he collected himself and tried to focus on what to do. Thinking this through... The tentacles weren't a bother, just exceptionally strange. If anything, he was thankful it didn't sting. The prickly pinball at his backside proved marginally more bothersome, but it didn't seem to be trying to hurt him.
'Just give.. Xentus a minute, friends', he thought to himself behind a face of grit teeth. His eyes were set on the shark's own teeth right before him and the mere piece of metal keeping them at bay. In an effort to get his point across, force was again his only hope. He mustered the strength to hold on with one hand and punch the shark's nose with the other.
'No biting!'
Taming - 4 29
No Bites - 9
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Post by Xentus on Nov 12, 2023 22:05:57 GMT -6
He mentally yelled, given the unpleasant sensation of water going down his throat being an unfavorable alternative. While the shark couldn't hear these words, its nose seemed to get the message loud and clear. It reeled back and swam off, leaving the man with a sense of both pride and exhaustion for valiantly defending the hapless fish. These two didn't seem to have a care in the world for such a dangerous predator in their midst! Then again, with defenses like theirs, they needn't be scared. Plus having a brave, pole-wielding mammalian to defend them was a bonus. Xentus relaxed the best he could. Gently, he coaxed the tentacles from his muzzle, and let the squirt wrap itself his hand instead. He could barely see it, though he could feel it now exploring his digits. Next, he looked over shoulder at the aloof pinball. It was deflated now, seeming to feel a bit more at ease in his presence (and without the shark's looking maw nearby), and it looked pleased to have the man's attention again, swimming in a small circle. Such curiously playful fish. He gave them a toothy grin and searched his pocket for some bait, figuring it be a nice little gift to leave them with. A lump of chopped squid was released for the two, and they seemed to take to it well enough.
Now to hope that the shark learned its lesson and would leave them alone.. Xentus turned away to look out for the monstrous fish, metal pole at the ready.
Taming - 5
[Done]
Using Fish (0 remaining) 30
No Bites - 10
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Post by Silver on Nov 23, 2023 0:02:26 GMT -6
The Pinball and Squirt are clearly intimidated by the shark. They shy away when approached and try their best to hide behind Xentus. They look torn between staying hidden behind him or trying to make a run (or swim) for freedom.
[Taming unsuccessful. You have 2 posts to try again before the creatures flee.]
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Post by Xentus on Nov 23, 2023 1:03:35 GMT -6
It wasn't long before the monstrous, bladed silhouette darkened the waters once more. Of course the shark didn’t learn its lesson. Or perhaps it smelled the chum he’d just set loose for the other fish. In any case, Xentus still had a predicament on his hands. The two wild fish were quick to notice the shark’s impending return, taking to the man’s backside for shelter once again.
‘Don’t worry little ones, Xentus will protect you’, he thought to himself, promising the fish something he couldn’t quite guarantee. The shark was likely still keen on eating even him, after all. Yet, with that in mind, he had two ideas cross his mind. To either use himself as a distraction or to guide the fish to shallows and hope the shark stayed at bay. There was still time before it was close enough to hone in on them..
The second idea was what he decided on. Xentus extended an arm out and began swimming backward, curling his tail around whichever fishy friend he felt first to coax it along. He kept his front forward to look out for danger, though this did make it difficult to ensure the two little critters were getting herded along as he hoped.
Re-Taming - 1 31
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Post by Xentus on Nov 23, 2023 1:04:20 GMT -6
He did feel some pricking at his hind, which was a good sign. The spiky one was there, inflated once again. As for the squirt, he wasn’t sure whether or not it was river kelp that was wrapping around his tail or squirt tentacles, but he proceeded as if it were the latter. Slowly, gently, carefully. Out of the more open river waters and toward the muddy shallows he shepherded them. Serenthal’s shadow grew and became more defined as the shark swam into view. It did seem to be searching for something, circling around the spot he offered the chum. A useful distraction and a fair opening for their escape proper.
Xentus peered over his shoulder as he backed his way into shallow waters, giving the pinball hiding in his shadow a gentle smile. There was no means of cooing or comforting the little fish to ease their worries, given the watery environment. But the shallows were safety, the most simple of water-faring creatures knew this well. Feeling confident enough to face his wards, the man unfurled his guiding tail and turned around. He tried to assure the little fish with a gentle pet - pricking his hand on the pinball and giving his best guess for the transparent squirt. That wavy portion of water he patted looked the part, at least!
Re-Taming - 2
[Done] 32
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Post by Silver on Nov 23, 2023 17:47:46 GMT -6
Both creatures seemed relieved to have Xentus as a sort of makeshift shield. They eagerly followed along with him into safer waters. It looks like this was a particulary popular spot for hiding from predators, as there were many small creatures about. [Taming successful!] |
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