|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 4:37:10 GMT -6
The water golem offered no words for its master and instead clattered its shell in what he assumed to be an approving tone. It stalked forward and closer to the offered plants, almost threatening to snap the delicate petals with its chomps. The leopard trusted it would do no such thing and allowed it to examine his find for as long as it needed to sate its curiosity. The being stopped inches from the glowing bloom, shell segments opened wide.. Then it returned to its tall, upright posture faced to the sky.
Sometimes, he wished he could tell what that strange creature and its kind were thinking. He was able to pick up on the different kind of rattling noises that they made, since they were usually in response to him reacting to something.. But how they viewed the world escaped him. A mystery that he'd likely never solve. But it didn't keep him from trying.
13
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 4:42:26 GMT -6
A drop of water splashing against his forehead alerted him to the oncoming rain. A grumble escaped him. He wasn't looking forward to working in the rain.. The question was would it be worth it to start rooting up weeds now, in the midst of rain? Or should he wait out the storm for however long it would take. A clawed hand scratched behind his ear, tail flicking in annoyance. Considering the walker, it probably wouldn't mind a drizzle.
Another drop hit his brow. Not the heaviest rain yet, but the crack of thunder which roared was a warning that it was going to get worse, and soon. "Come now, little walker. We shall take shelter for now", the leopard warned, placing his last flag and trotting off toward the wooden gazebo across the way. The walker had some trouble keeping up, stumbling and tumbling over the errant leaves and foliage.
14
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 4:49:25 GMT -6
The wind began to pick up as the rainfall increased. A clawed hand was shielding the leopard's eyes as he pranced over bags of fertilizer, piles of stone, and wooden planks scattered about the path. The gazebo wasn't in the best state, but it would hold the rain at bay at least. Once within the open-air shelter, the mammalian shook off loose water from his fur, then turned to witness as the water golem clumsily waddled its way toward the wooden steps. It gingerly made its way up, half hopping to surmount the planks.
"Stay in the rain, it is good for you", he advised the creature, waving it off. A clatter sounded from its shell, an appreciative one if he could read it properly. The strange little lump tumbled down the steps, then planted itself on the dirt path with its core exposed to the elements, feeding on whatever water droplets fell upon it.
15
|
|
|
Post by Nadia on Aug 21, 2020 14:54:23 GMT -6
A distressed potatohead scurries around, unhappy about this rain.
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 18:38:35 GMT -6
Watching how a golem feeds was an interesting thing to witness. Their cores were their entire being, and any damage to it would prove fatal to the golem. Of course, they could simply regenerate themselves from whatever was left of their seed, as long as it wasn't completely destroyed. Starting anew from a seedling, without true death. Al almost frightening prospect. If these beings were more.. Aware, they would likely be akin to a person with amnesia, unknowning and unaware of who they once were.
And what even happened when they merged to form new elements? A pair of seeds melded together to become one, yet also no longer like its former selves. It was a way of life that he likely would never come to fully understand. He'd only marvel at it, encouraging it, experimenting with it. Thinking about it too much made his head hurt from the overwhelming amount of questions he wished he had answers to.
16
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 18:45:09 GMT -6
The rain only grew in intensity, blowing through the open walls of the gazebo and soaking the resident within. Much to his distaste. He could make a run for it back to the cabin if he truly didn't want to brace the storm.. Stubbornly, he opted to brace it. Summer torrents didn't last too long most of the time. Even if it only seemed to get worse. The mammalian peered up into the sky, which was darkened with grey clouds. The sight curled his lip down into a frown. He'd be stuck here. But in the meantime, he could plan out where the main fence posts would go and how to section the garden.
The water golem, unlike it master, was thoroughly enjoying the rain, empowered and replenished by the water. It was still growing after all. It absorbed the droplets that fell on its core, which was exposed and vulnerable.
17
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 18:50:51 GMT -6
This didn't mean it was unaware of its surroundings, however. In fact, it had a clear view of the entire world around it. The rain above, the supplies on the ground, the overgrowth, the living plants seeking shelter from the downpour.. Nothing escaped its sight. Not even that intruder approaching. The golem quickly snapped its shell shut, alerted by the scuttling potato that was frantically attempting to avoid the rain. The water walker clattered to it violently as a warning to back off, but the potato cared not for the noise.
Xentus noticed the commotion and decided to step in. "Worry not, little one. It poses no threat, see?", he murmured to his knee-high companion as he skirted around it and caught the living tuber. Its many orange eyes flicked around, little root-legs squirming within the man's clutches. It made him chuckle. What a strange thing. The mammalian escaped back to the gazebo, tuber in tow.
18
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 18:56:22 GMT -6
The golem stared hard at its master's hands, wary of the many eyed thing in his clutches. It didn't seem to endanger the man.. But it would be keeping watch. If it made even a single wrong move, that would be its end. The water elemental slowly settled back into a plant-like state, head blossoming open like a flower. Its inner seed glowed, almost sparkling given the numerous beads of rain that studded its surface.
Meanwhile, Xentus took to examining his new friend. The variety of living plants that could be found out here amazed him. Where he came from, plants were never animate. A tree had no thoughts, a flower only knew to blossom. The plants of New Tarsia were beings to be wary of. Living trees, living plants, plants that looked like animals.. The variety was astounding. He did fancy himself the nyssa, though. He figured it would make an interesting guardian for his garden.
19
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 19:07:38 GMT -6
One of these days he'd get one. Perhaps to provide shade to the lotine pond. The image suited itself well in his mind. He could use it as a watch post if he really wanted to, perhaps build a tree house on it. Wouldn't that be something? Of course, it would need to be trained to accept carrying around a house of wood on its back. A prospect that confused him as far as ideas went. He didn't quite understand the temperaments of nyssa in general. The whole living plant thing was still something he was trying to grow accustomed to.
--
Before long, the rain eased, giving way to the sun once more. Everything was drenched. Including the leopard. The water golem certainly enjoyed the downpour, its shell now closed - sated. It looked up expectantly at its master as he exited the meager wooden shelter, ready for whatever it was they were going to do next.
20
|
|
|
Post by Jack on Aug 21, 2020 19:10:27 GMT -6
A little berry shows itself among the plants
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 12:40:47 GMT -6
It wouldn't be fun working now that everything was wet.. The leopard sighed deeply, surveying the overgrown, tangled, and now drenched land. What to do with this now.. He did suppose he could begin clearing out some of the weeds from the boundary. The premise wasn't the most pleasant, but there was still plenty of daylight left for something to be done. Alright, if it was too wet and soggy to grasp and uproot weeds, he'd save the task for another day. A good enough resolve in his mind.
"Alright, let us get started..", the leopard announced in a less-than-excited tone to the golem. The creature perked up in response to his voice, seeming ready for whatever came next. It waddled after the man as he went to get the wheelbarrow and a couple of tools - a cultivator, a hand scythe, and a trowel. This selection seemed to be the best for the job..
21
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 12:46:06 GMT -6
He hadn't spent too much time gardening before, but he was well acquainted with the plants of the wild. His time spent traveling meant living off the land, collecting from whatever nature had to offer at any given time. He thought himself quite good at telling different types of flora apart. Knowing how deep their roots went, what parts were edible, where to find them. This knowledge now would help him in ridding his garden of the pest plants which he didn't want. The leopard wheeled over to the entry path near the first flag marker and picked up the scythe.
The water walker clattered cautiously at the sharp blade of the tool, as if to warn the leopard to handle it carefully. The man offered a gentle smile and a light laugh to the creature, waving his hand to wordlessly calm it. He knew to treat tools with respect. For the most part.
22
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 12:51:05 GMT -6
Work began. He hacked away at the wet plants, though it was a little difficult to work the blade through the fresh layer of water. The taller, stiffer weeds went down more easily than the green soft stalked ones. He figured he'd get them trimmed, then pull up whatever remained using the cultivator. Or perhaps a hoe would do a better job? The tools seemed mostly the same.. Though the long handle of a hoe would probably save his back some.
Ah, but what was gardening without a little back pain? He could already feel the burn tingling his spine. It was slow work, but it was progress. A power tool would be quicker, but wet plants plus powered instruments usually weren't the best of friends. Plus, the noise would disturb his floral fauna. The only one who wouldn't be bothered was the golem, most likely. The creature was keeping a dutiful watch over his work, keeping pace beside him.
23
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 12:57:30 GMT -6
The walker still had some trouble navigating the overgrowth and mostly opted to stay in the freshly cleared path that the leopard made. Occasionally, it would spot a bug or snail that it clattered at, warning the offending intruder to keep its distance. This golem was oddly protective compared to the others. It wasn't often that he had only a single one with him as he was out and about. Perhaps it being on its lonesome to guard him made it so alert? The mammalian did appreciate its diligence. When it rattled its shell, he'd pause for a moment and take a look at what it was trying to scare off.
The next thing it clacked at was a ladybug, perched on a wild bellaberry plant just beyond the scythe path. Alerted to it, the man noticed that there was a single fruit on it. The berry was promptly plucked. These made for snacks. Cucumber-y.
24
|
|
|
Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 13:03:30 GMT -6
The berry was stashed away in his pocked alongside the living potato. Picking up things here and there was a part of the gardening business. Though, he did feel a little peckish once he thought about it. A single berry wouldn't be enough for him, unfortunately. A proper snack would be nice. Perhaps a salad? Or fried mushrooms.. His mind wandered to vegetarian options for lunch. Normally his diet was more meat based, but he wasn't beyond eating fruits and veggies. Some tender greens sounded nice too.. The more he thought of it, the more aware he was of his hunger.
Work paused for a moment. "What is it that Xentus should get to eat, hm?", Xentus turned to the water golem and asked for its opinion. It would probably suggest water if it could. Which wasn't a bad idea either, truthfully. It was always good to stay properly hydrated... Watermelon would be nice.
25
|
|