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Post by Xentus on Oct 16, 2020 16:05:09 GMT -6
A couple of mundane looking shells were spotted and collected. One was some sort of oyster, it seemed. The other.. Perhaps a snail? Or limpet. Or cockle. It was hard to tell mollusks apart. Despite his interest in researching and biology, the vast diversity of aquatic life was a daunting one to try to understand in depth. He'd take to trying to figure these various shells out back home when he had the proper books to rifle through. He would've asked the serpent trailing him to keep an eye out for anything of interest, but these kinds of things were way too insignificant for the pliathor to give any mind to. The beast was more of a casual observer for things that might disturb the peace around him. If he wanted something that would be interested in shell collecting, he'd need the company of a much smaller creature. His own eyes would have to suffice.
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Post by Jack on Oct 16, 2020 22:31:28 GMT -6
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 4:04:10 GMT -6
But, his eyes did grow weary of staring at the mix of mud and rocks and algae. Finding their short wandering walk to be satisfactory, the leopard turned around and looked up at the towering serpent. "Basantai!", the leopard called aloud, clapping his hands, "Bow!"
And so begins a new command to be learned. He had some ideas on where to take this, but first step first. The pliathor's cyan eyes locked onto its master, head craning to look at the man. The tip of his snout was within arm's reach, though it wasn't exactly the full head-to-the-ground bow the man was looking to instill with the word. Rambled thoughts buzzed in his mind, revolving around 'master calls' and 'what master seeks?'. But as usual for the serpent, there was no clear thought that was communicated to him. Perhaps Basantai was still not accustomed to the idea that he could properly voice himself to his master if he focused on it.
41 -- Bow - 1
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 4:34:02 GMT -6
"Good bow, Basa", the leopard praised briefly, "But better can be done, yes. Bow!" To help aid the pliathor understand the command, a clawed finger pointed to the ground. Alas, this seemed to only cause more confusion. The creature relished the short praise, but seemed to pick up that something was amiss. Its master didn't shower it in pleasant words and a gentle touch as usual upon successfully performing as instructed. No, the task was incomplete. Its jumbled thoughts reflected this, uncertain of what more the leopard desired. A simple question mark was expressed to him through their mental link (something that was odd to perceive, and yet it was clear in his mind). After taking a moment to consider, Xentus resigned to direct the beast through thought. The prospect was somewhat like cheating to him still. But what use was this ribbon if not to use it for all its benefits?
42 -- Bow - 2
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 4:44:05 GMT -6
[Head down lower], the leopard clarified, flicking his finger which pointed to the ground to affirm the directive. The serpent thought a simple affirmative in response, then craned his head closer to the ground. Better, but still not exactly what he wanted. Still, some short praise was in order.
"Good bow!", Xentus chimed, "Yet this one still desires a bit more.. Bow, Basantai!" The assertive command was repeated once again, cutting any joy in praise. That tone of dissatisfaction in the master's voice was frustrating for the serpent to hear. Its large cyan eyes stared hard at the man, begging for another hint or help to this 'bow' thing. It only wanted to please its master.. The leopard's face softened as he repeated and clarified his mental aid - [Head lower.. To the earth]. While he didn't want to add in that last bit, it seemed necessary. Having to clean some mud and dirt out of that serpent's mane was going to be a pain if it dragged against the riverbed..
43 -- Bow - 3
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 4:51:40 GMT -6
Which it would if the serpent was to bow comfortably and sufficiently. Xentus resigned to the idea of that brilliant red mane getting soiled and needing to clean it. At least it would only be his neck and not the entire length of its body. Though its neck alone still spanned at least twenty feet it seemed. Egh. No, now was not the time to dwell. A quick shake of the head passed to rid himself of his own jumbled thoughts before it further confused the serpent.
Basantai shuffled his feet a bit and began lowering himself to the earth just as the master said. He rested his head on the riverbank with a bit of hesitation, eyes locked on the mammalian to ensure this was what he wanted. It only took that spreading smile for him to know he had done something correct.
"Good bow, Basantai!", the leopard finally praised in full, "Very well done, yes!"
44 -- Bow - 4
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 4:59:30 GMT -6
His gentle touch extended forward to rub the serpent's snout, a gesture that the serpent seemed to enjoy the most. To think that the giant pliathor to be the cuddly sort was amusing, but it was the truth. The moment of celebration lasted a few seconds more before the leopard released the beast from his touch and allowed it to have its head to itself again. Basantai didn't seem to mind keeping low to the ground like that, but did withdraw his head into a more comfortable resting state once it seemed there was no more pets to be had.
"Alright Basa, again. Bow!", the leopard repeated the command again to ensure the serpent's retention of the concept. A clawed finger pointed to the ground once more to accompany the phrase. And in response, Basantai slowly lowered his head back toward the earth. His feet adjusted to the shift in his weight, then let his head rest on the stony shore.
45 -- Bow - 5
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Post by Nadia on Oct 17, 2020 14:31:53 GMT -6
The water ripples and glistens in the sunlight. Are there fish coming downstream...?
[Nothing happens.]
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 15:08:24 GMT -6
"Excellent, good job, Basantai", Xentus praised, "You learn quickly, yes." A pair of hands rubbed over the gold tipped snout, a toothy grin on the leopard's face. The bow was cute, like something to end a contest performance on. But it also was a gateway to teaching the pliathor to be a proper mount. He wasn't going to try clambering up the beast's leg or something. Well, he certainly could, but it wasn't the most convenient. He decided his spot on the beast would be atop its head between those golden horns. But.. He decided to continue one with the last cutesy thing on his list to teach the serpent.
"Now then, Basa. Kiss!"
Another new command without context. The leopard didn't expect the beast to know what to do, but he still leaned himself forward and pointed to his cheek. A gesture that might be better received by a smaller animal, but the notion was completely lost to the serpent. It.. Looked close to boop?
46 -- Kiss - 1
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 15:16:08 GMT -6
Xentus could hear the jumbled, confused thoughts of the pliathor trying to discern this 'kiss' thing. 'What is?' and 'boop? try boop' were glimpses he could catch of the beast's train of thought before it took action. It lifted its head from the ground and pressed the tip of its snout to the mammalian's face. Very close to what the leopard wanted, admittedly.. But, the serpent's mouth remained sealed. That wouldn't do! His hands were already covered in dry pliathor spit, so he could handle some on his face as well.
.. Though the thought did make him wince slightly.
"Good, Basa. Good boop. But hm..", the leopard half-praised the beast, thinking on how to encourage it to lick him. But aside from smearing his face in fish juice, there wasn't much in the way of favorable options that he could think of, except just to mentally guide the beast with this command as well.
47 -- Kiss - 2
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 15:26:24 GMT -6
Basantai seemed concerned with this half-praise. It didn't do what the master wanted. If it could frown, it would.. It tilted its head slightly, lifting its nose away from the man's face. Those cyan eyes stared hard, waiting for some sign.
[Boop is good, but this one asks something different. Add ah.. Your tongue], the leopard mentally probed into the serpent's mind, communicating clarity for it. Xentus wasn't sure how the beast might rationalize adding its tongue to 'boop', but he hoped for the best. The command 'kiss' was repeated for the pliathor to try again. Its jumbled thoughts grew quiet as it seemed to focus on performing as the master requested. It watched the man point to his cheek again, spurring it to action. Its long, yellow tongue poked out from between its teeth, extending to a length that was nearly as tall as the leopard. Then boop?
"[No! No, no]", the leopard cried out both in thought and in speech. Oh no, he was not going to have an entire tongue pressed against his body.
48 -- Kiss - 3
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 15:34:23 GMT -6
A slow blink passed the serpent's face, confused. Its tongue dangled from its mouth at the ready, just as the master instructed, right? Growing more attuned to the use of the ribbon, the serpent pressed a clear thought forward from the usual jumble.
{Tongue is displease?}, the serpent asked slowly, in a tone that seemed almost hurt. It only did want to follow instruction. To earn praise. To protect and serve its master's beck and call. But when the master both wanted and unwanted something, it was difficult to know what to do.
[Tongue is.. Too much tongue], Xentus clarified, [Less tongue. Ah, little tongue?] A simple 'okay' passed from the serpent's thoughts in response, its tongue withdrawing into its mouth until only the tip remained exposed. The 'tip' was still a good foot or so in length, but posed a better outcome than a full body pliathor tongue bath.
"Yes, good Basa", the leopard spoke aloud in praise, a relieved smile on his face, "Now, kiss."
49 -- Kiss - 4
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Post by Xentus on Oct 17, 2020 15:42:23 GMT -6
The pliathor's face seemed to lighten as the spot of praise was issued. It too was relieved that it could do something better now. To make the master happy. It proceeded to boop where the leopard pointed on his cheek, saliva coated tongue-tip pressing against him along with its snout. A chuckle escaped the man, his hands patting either side of the pliathor's nose. Ah whether or not this was the best idea was still questionable, but it was a bonding experience at least. His nose was filled with nothing but the stench of pliathor spit as the side of his face was covered with the stuff. He.. Didn't want to open his mouth out of fear of tasting the foul slimy substance.
[Yes! Good kiss, Basantai!], the man thought to the beast, his lips in a tight smile, [Now, please excuse Xentus for a moment..] After spending a brief moment showering the serpent in praise, the leopard scampered off to the low water of the river to shower himself off..
50 -- Kiss - 5
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Post by Xentus on Oct 18, 2020 5:34:07 GMT -6
It was a fun little trick, but one that would likely go seldom used. Nobody should need to be subjected to the acrid stench that is pliathor spit. 'Boop' proved to be a much favorable gesture. With either case Xentus was quite satisfied with himself (and with the serpent's receptiveness). He found himself a spot of deeper water to wade into and cleanse himself. Basantai soon came lumbering after him, watching over his master while in this vulnerable state. Those large cyan eyes scanned the sluggish water flowing between eroded rocks for anything that might seem suspicious.. But there was nothing much to observe save for the occasional fish swimming away. It briefly considered attempting to nab one of the minute morsels, but the idea was hardly worth entertaining. Such small fish would hardly be tasted, much less sate any appetite the serpent might've had. The master or the white metal shape which was like master was the one to provide food..
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Post by Xentus on Oct 18, 2020 5:45:01 GMT -6
{Hunger.}
The single word was pressed to the leopard's mind as he finished up his quick wash. The mammalian perked up and looked at the pliathor with an almost startled look on his face. Feeding the beast was not an event he enjoyed. While it needed not be fed often, the weight of the meal which would satisfy the creature was numbered in tons. Feeding time consisted of sequestering a couple of common thundergug or murp and sometimes slaying them if they were a particularly feisty lot. Now that Basantai had his strength back, he was fine killing prey on his own. But the time when the serpent was sickly and weak was rough one. Xentus gave it some thought, trying to recall the last feeding.. It didn't seem too long ago, perhaps a week ago? A pliathor's slow metabolism meant they only needed to eat once a season, though they could go without truly starving for much longer.
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