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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 6:20:23 GMT -6
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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 6:37:47 GMT -6
Fishing Trip #1 > Xentus, accompanied by...
He was greeted with a mix of so many emotions.
Joy.
Anger.
Sorrow.
Reminiscence.
All of which were justified. It had been a very long time since he had last been to the home of Draconics.. A very long time since he last saw Akinai. A good old friend who he helped raise for Zephyr. It was strange, coming back to these lands. Zephyr was gone, for one. Where exactly, he didn't know. Perhaps his wanderlust rubbed off on the dragon? He liked that thought.
When the leopard showed his face at the canyon 'home' he helped establish here, he was greeted by the marvelous sight of Akinai and her two young, vibrant children. Oh they were a joy.. But, he wanted some alone time with their mother. He was sure he would need to play babysitter for the whelps later. There was no better place than the river to spent some time catching up. The dragoness was very much at home in the rushing waters. And he, well, wanted to catch some fish while he was here. A win-win, he figured.
"Xen, why is it that this.. Thing is with you?", the dragoness questioned, nosing the hard shell of the golem walker.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 6:48:46 GMT -6
"He wishes to raise it", the man answered matter-of-factly. He had been answering many questions since their walk to the river began. It was understandable, Akinai had all rights to. He was feeling rather guilty and almost ashamed to have been gone for so long. But he was changing that. This new beginning would be uncomfortable, but he was willing to swallow his pride and own up to his negligence. The path would be long, he was sure, but rewarding. Being back in the life of Akinai was completely worth it.
"You could be raising my children", the dragoness huffed, almost with a snort. Her snout now turned to nose the mammalian in the chest, sullen purple eyes staring up into his. She could see the guilt in them. Part of her didn't want to be hard on him, another part wanted to play, and another part yet wanted for her to curl herself around his form so that he couldn't leave again.
"This one plans to", he assured her, resting a hand on her cheek, "But for now, let us have time to catch up, yes? That golem is nothing but a walking rock."
Thankfully, the golem couldn't take offense to the words. Not that they were incorrect..
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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 7:04:11 GMT -6
The hard, sullen stare lingered for a moment longer, then broke into a softened look. The mammalian's words, his tone, his touch.. Made it difficult to be upset with him. Oh, but she tried, channeling the years of loneliness into anger. Fleeting, shallow anger. Silently, Akinai sighed then turned away, continuing to lead him along the riverbank to her favorite basking spot. He wasn't off the hook just yet though.
"Well then, what's kept you from visiting then?", the questioning continued, stinging like needles into his back. This question in particular he didn't know how to answer without sounding like an inconsiderate jerk. But truth and honesty was his policy. The dragoness wouldn't like his answer, he knew that much. Xentus was quiet for a moment, garnering him an expectant glance.
"Wanderlust, dear Akinai."
It was hardly an excuse, but it was his reason all the same. His need to go off and be somewhere else. Explore something. Find nothing. It was shallow, but it was truth. "But recently, this one settles. And so comes his return", he continued quietly. Akinai was silent to this.
Behind the leopard trailed the wind walker, clacking its shell in response to the leopard's solemn voice.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 7:28:11 GMT -6
Considering what she remembered of him when she was younger, his answer held true enough. After all, wanderlust was what brought him to Eterra in the first place. It wasn't satisfying, but she understood. Sometimes, she wished to also leave the canyon and explore some place different, some place new. To see and swim in the ocean.. Yet she wasn't driven by wanderlust. The world was frightening. The canyon was safe, comfortable.
"A question for Akinai, now", the leopard spoke up again after a moment of silence, "Who fathers her children?"
The curiosity had been piqued since he saw the bright little whelps, but it seemed strange to ask right in front of them. He knew little of Draconic families, but he did know that partners never really stayed together in the same home. A strange tradition, he thought. Somehow, it helped prevent the mixing of bloodlines? Or something like that. The leopard looked to the river, then back at the golem tailing him to make sure it was keeping it which it was), before settling on the purple crest of the dragoness.
"The sun..", her reply came, almost dreamily. She left a pause for the leopard to question what she meant exactly.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 20, 2020 7:39:40 GMT -6
"That is what he is to me", Akinai then explained, craning her neck to look at the leopard, "He who shines a brilliant golden yellow. Tristan."
A smile was curling her lips, exposing a row of pointy teeth. There was a sparkle in her eye, he could tell it was love. It made Xentus happy for her, knowing this. He felt a smile of his own lighten his expression, easing the guilt in his mind.
"We have arrived", she announced as she strode down natural stone steps into the water. The river expanded into a wide, lake-like area. A boulder jutted from the center, offering the perfect spot to bask in the sun. It was a wonderful spot, he thought, which was carved into the surrounding canyon. Better yet, it seemed rather secluded. Actually, there seemed to be very few who frequented the river here in Eterra. He knew it could be dangerous for those without a draconic guiding them. Thankfully, he had Akinai here. And if he did get into trouble, he could rely on the amulet around his neck to prevent him from drowning at least.
Xentus decided he would stay on shore with the golem. It would follow him in if he went for a swim.. But fishing was best done on land anyway. A worm-baited hooked line was cast out into the open water.
Using Double Hook 5
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Post by Jack on Aug 20, 2020 14:07:07 GMT -6
 A strange little batch of seaweed could be found on the hook. Is it... alive? |
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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 2:19:30 GMT -6
Akinai was mindful of the line the leopard cast out into the water, nestling herself against the rocky shore as to not disturb the fish too much. Half her body stayed submerged in the water while upper half gripped the rock. A little awkward, but she still wanted to talk with the mammalian. Perhaps she could goad him into perching on the basking rock so that she could swim laps around him comfortably.
"You should meet him some time", she teased, flicking a splash of water onto the man with a wave of her tail. He cast her a puzzled look, flinching at the droplets that assaulted his face. The wind golem at his feet reeled back and clicked its shell at the serpent, as if issuing a warning. Truthfully, he wasn't sure how to feel about her words. To tell some dragon that he made beautiful children with his ward? An awkward prospect. Akinai seemed to take delight in his uncomfortable shuffling. A solemn shake of the head was his way of declining the offer.
"This one is glad Akinai has not gone too alone after all", he commented, taking a moment to consider their history. A tinge of guilt came crawling back..
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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 2:30:27 GMT -6
"Xentus promises he will come visit more often. Especially to care for the little ones", he followed up the statement with one that might begin to make up for the time lost. Now that he was somewhat settled in New Tarsia, coming to visit Eterra wasn't too difficult. He could set his own port stone here and simply teleport to her canyon home if he so desired. It would make travel a lot easier as well. He'd offer the idea soon enough.
A sorrowful look crossed the dragoness's face for a brief moment, but lightened once the man issued his promise. To have him with her young like he was when she was little was something she'd hoped for, truthfully. As long as he didn't abandon them as well once he simply felt like it. "I'll do well to remember this promise", she stated, a tone of warning laced in her voice. She's drag him back to Eterra herself if she had to.
The mammalian's line quivered, something caught on the line. A sharp jut upward hooked it, and he began reeling in. There was no fight or resistance though.. Whatever it was, he wasn't a fish.. The walker skirted close to the edge of the rocky shore, getting a better look at the action.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 2:39:06 GMT -6
The golem's inner seed traced the line to the water, carefully examining the specimen that was pulled from the river.. A clump of seaweed? The creature examined for any posed threat, but it seemed there was no. A gentle clattering its shell indicated its approval of the catch. Or that was what it seemed in the leopard's mind. A disappointed pout curled his lip down as he reached out to unhook the clump of vegetation, but a writhing on his hand alerted him to something more alive.
"Nice catch, a real lively one there Xen", the dragoness mocked, stifling a laugh at seeing the sea-weedle. The crustacean was nothing spectacular. She could swim down by the muddy riverbed and scoop a handful of those up. "Aim higher, else you'll catch more bottom feeders."
Perhaps it wasn't the most grand start to their fishing trip, but it was still a catch. Better than nothing, he decided. The shelled creature was tossed into a nearby landlocked tide pool for safe keeping. Taking the advice offered, Xentus adjusted his bobber lower on the line so that there was less freely floating in the water. Fresh bait was attached to the hook, and once more the line was cast.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 2:45:33 GMT -6
"Keep watch on the prizes, yes?", the leopard spoke to the golem now, a light laugh sounding from his throat. It wouldn't be able to help him much, but perhaps it could at least make sure the crab thing didn't wander away. He indicated with a glance where he wanted the golem to go, nose pointing near the tide pool. The walker clicked its shelled head in response, processing this information for a moment.. Then, it waddled toward the shallow puddle, performing its duty. It could serve as an alright watchdog, he thought, as long as it did more than just stand there. He wasn't sure what to expect of the knee-high creature really.
But for now he could turn his attention back to the glistening waters of the river and the dragoness within it. "You know, young Solaris reminds him of when you were but a whelp", he commented, resuming their conversation, "Starry eyed and full of energy. Such a joyful youth."
A toothy grin spread on the man's muzzle as he shot a teasing glance at Akinai. Her neck craned as her head tilted, as if curious to know more. It was surprising that he remembered how she was when she was younger.. She could hardly remember those days.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 21, 2020 2:55:25 GMT -6
"She is certainly her mother's daughter", he continued with a chuckle, "This one looks forward to watching her and her brother grow." Akinai was a playful little spirit when she was younger, and Solaris was the same. Helios, however, was much more careful, reserved. But still very kind. Much more like his mother at her current age. Even if the two whelps hatched at the same time, the brother seemed to take on the role of guardian over his sister. A wonderful sibling relationship, he thought.
"It is nice to have some company in Shairen'tai.. Our home has been so quiet. It's a joy to have their voices heard instead of only my own", Akinai responded thoughtfully, solemnly. Life was changing for her, growing better and more exciting. She was ready for whatever was to come next, she thought. Especially if it involved Xentus being around more often.
"What do you think if he brings one of them to the city some time?", the leopard asked carefully, "It is what finally calmed this one's wanderlust. Many things of interest there - like that strange living rock."
His eyes motioned toward the wind walker, which was dutifully maintaining its post overseeing the little crab.
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Post by Jack on Aug 21, 2020 18:43:22 GMT -6
 A cute little fishie is caught! |
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Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 14:09:24 GMT -6
As he expected, Akinai was not particularly thrilled with his last question. The dragoness craned her neck and stared hard at the mammalian, who was still looking away. The city was no place for young Draconics. It was hardly a place for Draconics at all. Very few of her kind would ever set foot there, for good reason. The twisted practices of the labs were distasteful. But.. To think it got Xentus to settle down. That was something unexpected. It did somewhat explain the presence of the golem, she supposed. Still, her children were not going to the city.
"Absolutely not", she huffed once he returned his gaze to her. The mammalian's lips turned upward into an almost devilish grin. He knew the idea wouldn't fly. But perhaps he sowed the seed.. Perhaps once they were older and she had a change of heart of the matter, he'd be able to bring it up again. The siblings were much too young as they were. Draconics grew up quickly though, perhaps it wouldn't be too long until he could convince her that New Tarsia wasn't an entirely awful place.
The golem seemed to notice some strange tension between the two conversing by the river, offering a few wary clacks in its own way of adding its voice and opinions to the mix..
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Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 14:18:22 GMT -6
But its attempts to help ease the mood went unnoticed by both its master and dragon companion. The golem took no offense to this, however. Its job was to maintain watch over this little crab, and that is what it would do! Its inner seed stalked near one of the pores in its shell, observing the waters of the shallow tide pool and the weedy crab within. It scuttled about the rocky bottom rather uneventfully. But! The moment it dared go out of line, the walker was there, watching. Waiting.
Xentus decided to shift the subject. "Say, it has been some time since this one has heard Akinai's singing voice", he started, a pleading look on his face, "He has nearly forgotten how it sounds. Care to refresh his memory?"
The request certainly piqued the dragoness's interest. She was almost surprised that the mammalian remembered her songs at all. To sing for him.. That would take them back, wouldn't it? She felt that she could thank her voice for a lot. It is what brought she and Tristan together. Increasingly since then, singing has been something she took more seriously. She took the time to practice and to warm her throat. How delighted he would be to hear her maturation.
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