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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 14:24:20 GMT -6
Even if part of him wanted to catch a glance of something more interesting, the pretty blue fish was still an exciting prospect. These ones seemed to have a habit of flinging themselves above the water in attempt to escape the line. A tactic that was likely more suitable to evading predators. But still an interesting thing of note. When they were in the air like that, they were a little easier to reel in. But the mid-air thrashing was prime time for the hook to slip out and for his catch to get away. He wasn't going to let that happen. The line whined as the fish struggled against his pull. But now that he experienced how this species fought, he understood well enough on how to reel them in.
Before long, the leopard was the proud captor of yet another blue fish. A prideful grin was plastered on his muzzle as he carefully unhooked the fish and showed it off to his golems. Ah, the reward of a successful catch. Even if the golems cared little about the fish itself, the clicks of approval still made him feel as if he had done well. Another prize to add to the growing collection.
 Using Double Hook40
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 16:38:59 GMT -6
He felt he had a few more attempts left in him. The fish in the cooler were already plenty, but he did want to spend some more time out here with the golems. They were so lively with all this action. In most other activities, they would simply stalk after him and click their heads every so often whenever something of interest happened to cross their path. Here, they were engaging in their own way, reacting to his excitement yet still on guard about strange fish and sounds. He enjoyed seeing them act almost like a 'normal' pair of curious creatures. As it would seem, the more he sought after intuitive behavior from them, the more they would express their trait. Still in limited capacity, of course, but the small changes were ones he noticed. They'd grown a lot from being strange little lumps with wiggly arms.
Xentus found himself gazing at the golems, absentmindedly cleaning the freshly caught fish. There was a lot of work left to do with the elementals. But their progress made him feel rather proud of them. Once again, the thoughts of restarting the process a few times over didn't quite appeal to him, but there was nothing to be done about that much.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 16:46:29 GMT -6
The mammalian was in the beginning phases of unlocking the mysteries behind the golems and what they fused into. These two, for instance, would be paired together when they were mature enough for it. Wind and fire.. What would that mix create? Fire carried through the air and wind reminded him of electricity. There was more energy involved (and different processes entirely), but the core concept was close enough that it might just turn out to be truth. He had a journal of the mixes he thought would result. There were a few oddballs in his guesses, but his recent merge of earth and water to acid made things easier. Now the only hope was that the combinations would neatly fall into place without much fuss. He didn't want to be thrown a curve ball and need to figure out where he went wrong in his thought process. These creatures weren't as intuitive as he hoped. No part of them was, really. But that made them all the more exciting. Realizing he was set again in his train of thought, Xentus snapped himself back to reality and got his cleaned catch into the cooler. There were more fish which awaited him, hopefully.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 16:53:52 GMT -6
Xentus carefully skirted around the golems waddling by his feet and prepped his hook and line yet again. A frown curled his lips down at realizing he was out of worms.. He technically had chum, but he wanted to avoid something that wasn't usually part of a riverfish's diet. If he was going for bottom feeders like crabs or shrimp, he might've opted for it. How effective was a pole at catching crabs, he wasn't sure. They likely wouldn't bite a hook in the same way a fish would. This was something he'd research later. For now, simple pellets might work. Or he could catch some flies or other nearby small insects.. It would be much more natural than a bare hook or processed food. He opted for the bug hunt.
The pole was left alone for now. He turned his attention to the riverside and began toward a collection of shoreline rocks. If there was ever an ideal place to look for insects, it was under a nice rock. The golems trotted after him, seemingly interested in this change of activity. Or just interested in staying close to their master. In either case, he always welcomed them to his side.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:00:04 GMT -6
Now, he just had to find a good couple of bugs and he'd call it good. Something like a juicy beetle or cicada that would make a good snack for a fish. He selected a rock and quickly flipped it over, watching as a few small creepy crawlies scurried away from their revealed hiding spot. Mostly ants and bugs too tiny to care for. No luck under this rock.
"Flip some rocks for Xentus, catch him a nice bug", he asked of the wind golem that was examining the upturned rock. It came up to survey anything that might be a threat, as usual. But the small lifeforms that dwelled under stones weren't nearly enough of a threat that it would sound an alarm for. It dismissively returned itself to a guarding stance, not even recognizing the request the leopard made, aside from sounding a couple of clicks from its hard shell-head. Xentus turned his attention to the fire golem, repeating the request while pointing at another rock. He didn't truly expect it to take up after what he told it to do, considering that it had no true training. But the lack of action was a little disappointing. He had to do all the work around here.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:05:52 GMT -6
The two golems gave their regards, but seemed to know he didn't truly ask anything of them. A dismissive smile rested on his snout. Ah perhaps next time he would take something a little more personable like Nazura or Mashiik. Ones that would at least try to do something with themselves. And likely eat his catches. He was also a little saddened by the fact that the golems didn't take any interest in food rewards.. Since they didn't eat normal food. It was such a strong training tactic to reward creatures with a treat or snack, and motivate them to perform. The golems were unique. No food, only praise and intentions. Something he was still getting used to.
Another rock was flipped, now revealing a slowly scuttling insect that seemed to fit what he was looking for. A beetle of some sort by the looks of it. It was about an inch long and solid black in color. Perhaps something that a fish would find attractive to chew on. It was selected, plucked from the rock and simply held in his hand while he flipped over a few more stones in search of another one. Two more casts and attempts at fish suited him just fine.
Using Double Hook 45
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:12:02 GMT -6
Without much trouble, the leopard was able to collect another couple of beetles, for a grand total of three bugs. Perfect. With the short bug hunting venture completed, he carefully made his way back over to his claimed fishing spot with golems in tow. They were no help in bug hunting, but their company was always appreciated.
Xentus delicately pierced the insects through their soft abdomens to set them on three separate hooks. He didn't want any escapees, and it was much harder for any of them to somehow crawl away with a hook threaded through their body. Two baited hooks were set aside while the last was attached to the line. He was ready to cast. The bug's legs waved in the air slowly. Not the most exciting life bait, but it would hopefully be enough. He hadn't tried something like this before. In theory, it should work.. But it would take a bite from a fish to prove that to him.
The beetle baited hook was flung out into the water, landing with a satisfying 'plunk'! The waiting game began again. The test to see whether or not his spur of the moment idea would truly work or not.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:17:08 GMT -6
The beetle was certainly weightier than the worm was. More heft with that chitinous exoskeleton. He thought he could feel his line sink to the bottom of the river, even. Perhaps it was just a shallow spot. He didn't want to attract some kind of crab or turtle, and so the line was reeled back in to be recast. The line whined quietly as he round it back in. Then, a sudden snag brought everything to a stop. A curious hum sounded from his throat, curious at this sudden jam. Was it stuck between some rocks? A dead tree branch? A testing tug pulled, but to no avail. He wasn't sure what to make of this, and he wasn't looking forward to winding a new line onto the spool if he had to ultimately cut it.
The golems seemed to pick up on the leopard's sudden confusion, the shift in his energy being a cause for concern. They scanned the immediate area for the source, then to the water and the taut line. But being as dim as they were, this didn't quite make the correct connection for the creatures. There were no immediate disturbances around them, and so everything must've been fine.
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Post by Jack on Aug 31, 2020 17:21:38 GMT -6
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:24:50 GMT -6
Not like they could even aid him in this regard. Their concern was always charming in any case. A quick peek down at them and their clattering heads somehow felt reassuring. It didn't get his line unstuck, but at least he had a small support group should he need it. The leopard silently thanked them, then refocused on his line. A careful tug this way.. Then try to reel. Ah! The line was suddenly freed. And.. Heavier? There was something else weighing down the hook, he could feel the increased resistance on the pole. Not a fish, he could tell that much by the lack of a struggle. Continued reeling would soon sate his curiosity..
And revealed a tin can. A grumble sounded from his throat. Trash was last thing he wanted to see in the river. It made a note of civilization causing a disruption in the natural balance in the environment. Pollution was an awful crime of humanity. A repairable crime, if everyone put forth the effort. But there was no chance of such cooperation. A saddened sigh escaped him as he unhooked the can and put it away for recycling later. A disappointing catch, and to make matters worse, the beetle was gone.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:31:58 GMT -6
There were two of them left. Now, to make them count. The empty hook was replaced with a baited one. The leopard did his best to not let the tin can put a hamper on his mood too much. As a lover of nature, it was difficult to see trash. The golems could tell there was something wrong yet again for their master, offering forth their concerned clicks. Those saddened blue eyes looked at the pair of golems, a soft smile offered to them as a feeble means of reassuring them that he was alright. Perceptive little things, weren't they?
"This one hates to see nature soiled by trash and the like, do not fret", he assured the creatures, "Nothing he can do about it except clean another's mess when the opportunity arises."
The golems quieted a bit at hearing the man's sentiment, even if they didn't understand the meaning behind any of his words. There was a hint of resolve that seemed to key them in that, yet again, there was little that the walkers could do to assist their master. This seemed to be the case for a good deal of happening here at the riverside. But, it was not discouraging for the golems. They would remain ever vigilant about their master.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 31, 2020 17:43:23 GMT -6
The line was cast out yet again, with a bit more care this time. He avoided the shallow spot with the garbage, fearing that it might be a hot spot for trash to collect. And he didn't need another dampen on his mood. One last thrilling catch before he called it a day. He wanted to promise himself that. And he would get just that apparently, as the line was bitten almost as soon as it touched the water. He flicked the pole up to set the hook in this apparently hungry fish and it seemed to take hold! He reeled, now fully focused on this last plight.
The golems once again, were alarmed by the whine of the reel and movement in the water. They visually stalked the line and the struggle of their master in bringing this one in. This fish felt different from any of the others that he caught so far. Which only added to the excitement. Gone were his mulling about trash in the environment and now his mind was filled in carefully executing this operation. To bring in the catch without losing it or snapping the line. Let it fight, let it struggle, and reel!
After a short, but tiring fight, he had another fish in his possession. And with that, the fishing trip came to its end. Until another day..
Using Double Hook
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> Exeunt Xentus, Wi1, F2
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Post by Jack on Aug 31, 2020 18:01:53 GMT -6
Everything is calm and peaceful, barely a ripple disturbing the pond. Just some nice, peaceful fishing, waiting for something exciting like a new catch. Very little stirs, lulling those nearby into a sense of comfort and security,
Without warning, a huge fish flops out of the water very close to them. It flaps and flails about before hitting the water with a huge splash. Anyone standing too close to the river is covered in the water, and likely quite startled by it.
[Pets/Draconics under 15 loyalty spook and run away! Pets/Draconics that have been taught 'Accept Sudden Movements' are not affected.]
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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 17:04:32 GMT -6
Fishing Trip #2 > Xentus, accompanied by...
All preparations were complete. It was time for Basantai to experience the outside world once again. The serpent had a long recovery to make, but he finally seemed strong enough to move about without falling. The keep was spacious, but not nearly enough for the almost 200 foot serpent to freely move about and stretch. Getting him into the building to begin with was a challenge. Getting him out? The leopard didn't want to even make the attempt. And so that's where this little collar came in. On his wrist was his half of the bonded pair. On Basantai's left golden horn was the other half. The leopard inhaled and hoped that it would work.
"Yawë", he spoke the command.
Before him was a plain, flat stretch of grassland not too far from the river. And in the blink of an eye, the empty flat was no longer a plain stretch of land. A serpent materialized on the earth, coils twisting and unfurling.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 18:23:21 GMT -6
Xentus felt himself holding his breath. It.. Actually worked! He had his doubts since this collar thing was likely not designed for such a tremendous beast, but here he was! The serpent's head finally emerged from the twisting coils, rising high into the air. Its inhaled deeply, then opened its large blue eyes. The slitted pupils glanced around in confusion. This scenery.. Was not the keep. A low bellow rumbled in the beast's throat with such bass that the leopard could feel the sound waves passing through his body.
"Basantai!", Xentus shouted, waving a clawed hand to the beast to garner its attention. Normally, his presence alone would be enough to have a giant snout thrust toward his face. But considering that the beast was likely coiled up asleep and was suddenly transported here.. It was probably quite confused. The low rumble continued as the serpent exhaled, grumbling in protest to its interrupted rest.
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Name - 1
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