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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 18:47:46 GMT -6
It had been a long time since it last set it feet down upon natural soil. The confines of the keep were.. Accommodating enough, but there was a distinct sweetness of the air outside that it missed. Basantai continued to unfurl its body, finding the open earth accepting of its full length. The serpent balanced on its front paws while the rest of its body unwound, hind legs slowly sailing through the air until they met the ground. Xentus watched on, in awe of the serpent's size. He somehow seemed to be even bigger than before. Probably since now he actually had some flesh on his bones.
"Basantai", the leopard called up to the serpent again, "Xentus is here, Basantai!"
Unlike other pliathor, Basantai was fully capable of hearing the spoken word of humanoids on land. His finned ears provided him a good sense of hearing, as far as the leopard knew. But given that the beast was towering far above where he stood.. It seemed his voice was going unheard. Or heard, and ignored due to not realizing who was calling.
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Name - 2
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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 19:11:59 GMT -6
When one stood taller than a house and was longer than a sailing ship, it was easy to overlook the little things and little people who tread upon the earth. Xentus had the feeling he'd simply need to wait until the beast was finished with his wake-up routine before he'd garner its attention, but he was actually excited to have Basantai out and about for once. For the leopard to be impatient was a rare occurrence. He could afford it on occasion, couldn't he?
"Basantai! Basa!", Xentus called out again. He felt that he was shouting loud enough.. Perhaps he needed to gather the beast's attention in another way. He walked up to the serpent, passing next to the long, thick, gold-tipped fur that draped under its neck. Now, to ruffle that fur or poke at its forepaw.. The leopard chose the latter, just to be safe. He didn't want for the beast to fall upon him by mistake.
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Name - 3
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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 19:29:31 GMT -6
To simply walk up to such a titan of a beast would seem crazy to most, but the leopard knew no harm would come to him from Basantai. The serpent had imprinted its guardianship upon him. Something of the same sort that the golems had with him. The pliathor was a much more formidable creature to have such a bond with, but this was his reward for having saved it. A gentle hand reached forward to pet the beast's forepaw.
"Basantai!", the leopard shouted. And this time, he was granted a response: a deep, disturbed rumble. The serpent's forearm was almost as long as he stood tall, and it rose up then stomped on the ground as the creature repositioned itself to see who or what was brave enough to touch it. A grin spread across the leopard's muzzle as he watched the giant's neck coil onto itself, allowing those big, blue eyes to see finally him.
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Name - 4
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Post by Xentus on Oct 6, 2020 22:58:00 GMT -6
Basantai's slitted pupils immediately dilated wide with love and excitement as they settled upon the leopard. The disturbed rumble ceased, and the creature's enormous head was thrust down to the ground so it could rest comfortably at eye level with the leopard. It was.. Almost unnerving to stare into the eye which was larger than his own head. The leopard was more giddy than anything to have the serpent out on the field with him, especially now that it finally realized he was there.
"Greetings, Basantai", Xentus cooed as he rubbed the serpent's nose, "How do you fare?"
The serpent's eyes closed halfway at his touch, submitting to the feeling. Basantai might've been gigantic, but he was hardly intimidating. At least to the leopard. For Xentus, Basantai was a giant bundle of fur and scales that was in need of love and affection. Their outing together was long awaited. The mammalian smiled gently at the serpent, then began heading back toward the riverbank.
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Name - 5
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 1:27:33 GMT -6
It took a moment for Basantai to notice the absence of the leopard. He blinked slowly upon realizing, lifting his head in confusion. Cuddle time was so short.. The serpent exhaled a long breath, then started to make its way after the mammalian. Neither seemed to be in any hurry to get where they were going. Basantai didn't need to move very fast to catch up with the leopard, and Xentus simply wanted to be sure the giant serpent would follow. The path back to the riverbed was fairly clear of any obstacle, save for a thin layer of trees. Xentus disappeared under the autumn-toned canopy. Not a problem for the pliathor, however. Basantai could push his way through the trees, but he preferred to go over them. The creature's fins unfurled and with a hefty flap, he leapt into the air. While this was not trrue flight, it certainly looked just as graceful.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 1:41:22 GMT -6
When the leopard emerged in full view on the riverbank, the pliathor made for the muddied ground near him. The dry season meant the river had much of its bank exposed, its flow even reduced to a trickle in some areas. There were some better fishing spots upstream, but Xentus was committed to doing some simple foraging. He mostly wanted to spend with with Basantai out here. In seclusion, far from people who might disturb or anger him. The pliathor didn't have a short temper, but he was awfully protective. The creature poked its nose near the gear that was set up atop a rock, wary of the strange noises and voices coming from the radio.
"Xentus has some gifts to give Basantai", the leopard announced, craning his neck to look at the serpent's eye. He then fished around his pack, retrieving a charm and a ribbon. Recent purchases that would serve him well, with hope.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 1:48:04 GMT -6
The charm likely wouldn't see much use given the current setting, but he wanted to be safe about having Basantai near any water. The thick fur of the serpent was prone to water-logging, weighing him down and possibly drowning him.. It already took most of the serpent's strength to stand and move on land. If not for his prowess over wind, he probably wouldn't be able to support his own weight. As for the ribbon.. Xentus did want to talk with the serpent a little easier. These ribbons were interesting, something he liked but didn't want to spoil himself on. It would wait for later. The ribbon was pocketed for now. The charm would ideally go around a creature's neck, but given that Basantai's neck was thicker than any tree he'd ever seen, it would be impossible. The ear fin would be a better spot. Stylish too. The mammalian called for the beast and reached up toward him, hoping he might be in the mood for more nose rubs.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 1:57:59 GMT -6
And of course he wanted nose rubs. The serpent lowered his head against the ground, eyes looking expectantly at the leopard. He carefully nudged his way to the extended palm, seeming to know his massive size and might. Xentus could've sworn he saw the serpent's mouth crease up into a smile.. But perhaps that was just the natural curvature. Xentus rested his hand against the serpent's scaly head, rubbing over the smooth surface as he made his way toward his finned ear. While he was at it, he gave a good scratch to the golden horns that jut from above Basantai's eye. The beast seemed to like that. Satisfied, he finally came to that ear and roped the charm around the pointed tip. There was a small tear in the membrane that would hopefully keep the charm in place. As much as he wanted to test if the charm was working.. He didn't want to endanger the serpent if it wasn't.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 11:50:00 GMT -6
Besides, the only way he was going to get the giant's head into water would be if he went into the water himself and beckoned for the beast to dive in too. Which could work if he were upstream where the river was more powerful. Or up to the lake itself. But this tributary stream was rather scant. The leopard shook his head and decided to save the charm as a precautionary measure for now. Later, when Basantai was better trained, he could probably teach the beast to be accepting of water and getting submerged.
Xentus offered the serpent a few more rubs on his giant scaly head, then decided to take the big lug for a walk along the muddy bank. Basantai wasn't going to be much help in terms of foraging, but his company alone was well appreciated. The leopard went to collect his pack and net, then led the way down the riverbank.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 11:57:07 GMT -6
There was so much Xentus wanted to do with the giant serpent. Ah, he dreamed of taking a ride atop its head, nestled between those two glimmering horns, and just flying above the city. While yes, he could do such a thing with Nazura or Mashiik (or even alone, with papilio), there was a a certain thrill of doing so whilst riding on the largest serpent he'd ever seen. A smirk planted itself on his muzzle as he plotted some kind of grand spectacle. He was never one for doing something grand, really. But he did want to indulge the thought..
Basantai slowly followed after the mammalian as he wandered about the mix of mud and stone. It took maybe 10 steps of the man before the serpent had to consider taking a single one of his own. Not that the beast seemed to mind. It was the kind that preferred taking things slowly anyway.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 12:17:39 GMT -6
There was little that seemed to make for a threat here at the muddy riverbed. No other people wandered around here. The animals were small and insignificant to the serpent. His guard was low. Instead, Basantai took to looking around to take in the great outdoors. It had been a long time since he was able to see the sky above and feel the earth beneath his feet. His head was raised high now, taking in the sights at a leisurely pace.
Xentus had little concern for the serpent going off on its own or getting left behind. Basantai was bonded with him, for one. That much was enough to ensure the beast would stay nearby, as long as he wanted him to. It was like those golems, incessantly guarding his hide. And secondly, the beast was gigantic. It would take some extreme level of carelessness to somehow lose sight of him.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 12:23:19 GMT -6
But.. Just to be sure, Xentus cast a quick glance behind himself. And wasn't surprised to see the lug meandering after him, walking as if in slow motion. There was a certain airiness to his step, as if he were barely touching the ground at all. It was regal in a way. That deep red fur, glimmering scales, that gentle air about its serpentine form.. Xentus couldn't help but to smile at the sight. And knowing that he was safe with it there. Satisfied that the beast wasn't going anywhere any time fast, Xentus continued his walk, kicking over the occasional stone to see what might be crawling around beneath.
Basantai hardly noticed the man looking at him. Unlike the golems, he wasn't nearly as studious in observing every last motion the man made. (This was a relief to Xentus, though!) The serpent's jaws parted open as he yawned - a long, slow inhale in..
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 12:29:32 GMT -6
And a long, slow exhale out. His yellow tongue flicked out of his maw briefly, curling at the tip before sliding back into the recess between those large, pointed teeth. Then, a shuddering shake was sent from the serpent's head trailing down its neck and long spine. Loosened tufts of fur were shed and fell to the ground in an airy motion. One of the things Xentus did not quite enjoy about housing such a beast was cleaning up all that fur. The strands were longer than he stood tall and thick too. Grooming Basantai was.. An endeavor that he did not have the heart to take on just yet. The leopard watched as some clumps of fur matted into the mud, grimacing at the thought of the piles within the keep that he would need to clean now that its room was vacant. That would be a problem for his future self. Or Xio.
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Post by Nadia on Oct 7, 2020 12:38:47 GMT -6
 Is that a bite?! ... Oh. |
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Post by Xentus on Oct 7, 2020 20:43:38 GMT -6
Oh the trod didn't mind taking care of his keep anyway, right?. That was its job and purpose. Even though it was a just a machine, Xentus did care for it. He wanted it to be as artificially happy as it could be, so he did help around the keep when he could. He'd.. Handle the fur whenever he made his way back, if Xio hadn't gotten to it first. That sounded fair in his mind.
Xentus did want to go and cuddle up in that fluffy mane of the serpent. It was starting to get chilly, and that lush fur seemed awfully nice. Basantai wouldn't mind, and perhaps would enjoy it.. Thinking about it, he did want to get the serpent accustomed to the presence of others, and perhaps even have someone else train him proper mount etiquette. A hum sounded in the leopard's throat. He couldn't decide what he wanted to do.
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