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Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 14:24:17 GMT -6
The dragoness mulled on it for a moment, eyeing the pastel toned leopard carefully. She was still mad at him. Sort of. But she also wanted to impress him. What a conflict.. Perhaps she would make him earn it.
"Catch another fish and I may think about it", she playfully teased, flashing her teeth. She wasn't going to let him off too easily, though. Oh no, she was going to have herself a little fun. As soon as the leopard agreed, she turned and dove into the water. Her idea of a little fun would be to frighten away any of the big ones. And maybe most of the small ones. Honestly, she wasn't sure what would attempt to bite his line with a grand dragon such as herself lurking around. Her powerful tail let her cut through the water with ease, chasing after the large fish that looked too interested in biting.
From above the water, Xentus already had a sneaking suspicion of what was going on. He pursed his lips and reeled in his line. Two could play at this game. The line was cast away from the dragon, in hopes to throw her off. The waves of anticipation alerted the golem to something new and different going on over there.. The wind walker settled itself to watch the pond and its master simultaneously.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 14:30:22 GMT -6
It was a little awkward positioning, so it instead opened its segmented shell, entrusting its core to the elements. The canyon river was dry with a little wind to offer, so it could feed while it maintained watch. The man, crab, and surrounding rock in its clear sights now, it seemed to be more secure in maintaining its job.
Meanwhile, its master was busy frantically casting and recasting, trying his best to combat the agile dragoness. But he really stood no chance against her in her element. He let the line stay still, hoping she would show a little mercy and letting him catch something. Big, small, it didn't matter. He simply wanted to hear her sing again. She was the one who decided to be cruel about it. A small huff escaped him, eyes tracking the various shadows that darted under the whitewash.
But miraculously, he got a bite. A swift yank upward set the hook into what felt to be an extremely tiny fish. Something that was bait material more than anything. But a fish was a fish! He reeled his line in quickly, barely letting the aquatic creature fight back. Not that there would be much fight for it to put up anyway.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 22, 2020 14:38:07 GMT -6
With a quick yank, the fish was freed from its watery confines. A smug grin cast itself on the man's face as he held up his prized catch - a three inch sardine. Not impressive in the slightest. It would better serve as bait than a meal, but it was his ticket to a solo concert and that was all that mattered to him. He held the fish out for Akinai to see as she poked her head above the water. A somewhat sour look crossed her face for a moment, but it quickly eased into a friendly smile.
"Alright, you win!", she announced, then ducked back into the water to swim her way back to the shoreline. Meanwhile, the leopard opted to dump the small, wriggling fish into the tide pool that the golem presided over. The wind walker seemed to be delighted for him, clacking its shell in a strange form of applause. He smiled at it gently, asking it a favor; "Keep an eye on this as well, yes?"
With that, the man stepped back to his fishing spot, preparing a new hook and bait to fish while the dragon sang her song. The line was cast, and a sweet hum permeated through the air..
Using Double Hook 15
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 6:42:41 GMT -6
"Sometimes I want to run away, run away. To find good times, again; to find my good old friend", the song began. Somber, yet sweet. Sometimes Akinai sange about her mind, her will, her wishes.. Then sometimes, like now, she sang from the heart. In either case, her voice was beautiful, carrying the melody through the gentle breeze as if it were another part of nature. The leopard looked fondly at her, a soft smile on his muzzle. The song was about her wishes to have him around again. To the old days. To the good times.
Ah, but really, she was making him feel guilty again. But in a way that was more of a realization and understanding, rather than simply making him feel bad. Her way of explaining her time spent alone, rather than blaming him for it. He quietly listened to how the song would develop, to know her feelings and story. The wind walker seemed to pick up on this sorrowful mood, perking up and looking toward its master. It cared little for the song the dragoness sang, until it seemed to notice the song was the source of its master's unrest. A clatter rattled from its shell as it began waddling over to investigate.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 8:22:53 GMT -6
It was abandoning its post. But no post was so valuable that it could ignore the life of its bonded one. When it felt those waves of guilt and sorrow, that was no way it could stand guard over a mere crab and simple fish! Its head-shell was parted open slightly, allowing it to see its master, the river, the dragoness down below.. Nothing paid it any mind. Another vibration shook its shell, a clatter that dared to interrupt the singing. That garnered it a disappointed look from its master.. But he then gave an appreciative smile. Wordlessly, he put it at ease. Assuring that the emotions weren't painful.. Still, it remained wary. The leopard didn't shoo it away, letting the knee high creature settle itself beside him.
"And when I cry, I can see his face through these watered eyes - let's me know that I'm still here", another lyric flowed, still pained, explaining. This was an almost difficult one for her to let freely flow into the air. But they couldn't be taken back now. The leopard frowned slightly, but was still understanding. The loneliness Akinai felt.. How she missed him. How she couldn't bring herself to leave. He understood.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 9:15:36 GMT -6
A tug at the line interrupted the flow of the song. Akinai's singing hushed to a hum noticing as the reel began to whine. She wanted Xentus to hear the words, but the melody could remain while he was busy fighting the fish. For now, she would observe and hum. The leopard yanked the pole upward, setting the hook into the fish's lip, then began reeling his catch in. From the feel of it, it was something fairly small. Another bait fish, it seemed. Though it was disappointing, a catch was a catch. Akinai might want it, or he could have it for a snack. Or simply toss it back into the river.. But he tended to be wary of catch and release fishing - the exhaustion from fighting the line left fish vulnerable. They may die anyway since so much energy was wasted, or succumb to a predator.
This particular catch didn't put up much of a struggle. The small smelt was pulled from the river, offering a few flimsy flails before seeming to accept its fate. The golem watched the whole event carefully, assessing the potential danger of this new fish. It looked pathetic enough, but still warranted a couple of wary clicks from the overprotective creature.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 9:37:13 GMT -6
Hopefully this kind of behavior of the golem could be.. Trained down a touch. While the leopard appreciated how dutiful it was, it didn't need to make a fuss over any little living (and sometimes inanimate) thing that happened to come into his space. Xentus shot it a pressing look, willing for it to calm down just a little bit. The look turned into a stare before the creature eased up from its wary crouched pose. It straightened back into an upright stance, resuming its guard over its master.. In a little less antsy of a manner.
With that settled, the fish was tossed live into the tide pool with the others. If he could catch a few more of those, they'd have themselves lunch. Ideally he'd catch something a bit bigger, but he couldn't be picky about what nature had to offer. The sun was cresting high over the canyon, signaling that is was approximately noon or so. Peak fishing time was technically over, but he'd continue anyway, just a little longer so that Akinai could finish her song.
Xentus gazed at her, there on the edge of the water. Her purple eyes seemed a little lost in the hums. Patiently waiting for him to be able to listen without interference.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 9:46:13 GMT -6
'Just need a little longer', he thought to himself, offering her a thankful smile for her patience. There was a little maintenance to do on the rod. He adjusted the hook, careful to not prick himself, and set a new piece of bait on it. Another worm, impaled neatly on the hook. Looked tasty enough for a fish, not suspicious at all. A small smirk tipped his lip while he adjusted the drag. He'd surely get more bait at least! A strong flick of the wrist and the line was sent flying off into the river, landing with a satisfying 'plunk'.
And with that, the dragoness allowed the words to flow once more. Xentus seemed ready to listen. "When the sun comes out, I'll go outside; watching breaks in the clouds - I will give a smile", the lyrics now shifted to something different from the sorry and somberness. A turn to hope. A turn to today, perhaps? His arrival being the rain fading, the tears drying. Her happiness in his return. There was a warmth swelling, calming the various tumultuous feelings. The wind golem seemed to be calmed further by this, assured that its master was alright after all it seemed.. It shuffled on its three limbs, settling down.
Using Double Hook 20
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 10:46:44 GMT -6
"I am glad that, you're now here", the song continued nearing its conclusion with what sounded more like a statement than a lyric despite being sung, "Let me know that you'll be here.." Akinai's voice trailed off, giving way to gentle humming. She was staring at him now, pleadingly. And without words, he dipped his head in a nod. He would be here. Understanding her heart, knowing her painful loneliness.. Ah, he couldn't have that happening again. Friends come and go, that was simply a fact of life, but it didn't mean he needed to stay gone from her life.. Nor gone from the lives of her children. Aside from the mood and the feelings and the mush, he was quite impressed with her voice. When the humming quelled, he spoke.
"Your voice is lovely as ever, Akinai", he praised, face soft, "This one understands your song. He will be here." It already went without saying, but he wanted to affirm yet again. Those longing eyes of hers looked so relieved.. The leopard decided to sit on the edge of the rock, feet hanging just above the water while he fished. The walker was sure to maintain its position beside him, scuttling up and settling precariously near the edge.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 10:52:45 GMT -6
A clawed hand moved from the rod to pet the stony shell of the walker while waiting for a bite. It wasn't the most pleasant texture, but he couldn't help to want some physical touch with a living thing at the moment. Er. Even if he wasn't sure exactly how living the golem was. It rather defied most of what he thought life should be.. Ah, but he didn't want to dwell. He just wanted something to touch while Akinai was out of reach.
The dragon tilted her head curiously at the pair perched there on the rock. Well.. Now that this bundle of emotions was resolved, she could move on to some other kind of subject matter. "Xen, what is that thing anyway?", she piped up after giving a moment to study it. The creature didn't look like anything she'd ever seen before. It hardly looked like a creature at all really. The leopard called it a living rock, but was it truly? She was vaguely familiar with elemental golems, but they were more.. Element looking.
"This is ah..", he started to reply, glancing at the mark on the creature's shell, "Wind three. An elemental golem." Helpful and not confusing at all!
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 11:04:13 GMT -6
The dragoness raised a brow. She let silence speak for itself - she needed more information than that. As it would seem though, the man was distracted by little nibbles on his line. It was hard to speak and fish at the same time, apparently. The spool whined as the leopard flicked the rod to hook on to whatever it was that was nibbling. Another small one, it felt like. Not that he minded; it would be quick to reel out of the water so that he could resume conversation. The fight was over quickly, with yet another small fish pulled from the river. Another smelt.
"Interested in a snack?", he offered to Akinai while waving the still flailing fish around by the lip. She seemed to consider for a moment, then shook her head. "I prefer them cooked", she declined for now. Roasted over a fire brought out so much more flavor from fish. She was a civilized person, after all. The leopard nodded then sauntered off to add the fish to the growing collection. He was glad the golem didn't fuss over it this time. The creature patiently waited for his return, seeming to have been completely placated by the petting from just before.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 11:13:26 GMT -6
"Right. So, about this being. It is an ah.. Improved version of the other types of elemental, this one supposes", he started, mulling on how to explain something that he didn't entirely understand himself, "Improved may be incorrect exactly. Alternate would be better. They grow from seed cores and must be cared for well to grow."
The dragoness quietly listened to his spiel, seeming up pick up on his occasional struggles when it came to putting his thoughts into words. She was sort of right in assuming it was some kind of golem. It was very different - much more personable than the other kinds. An earth elemental was literally a dumb rock with little personality to speak of. That thing Xentus had with him was lively. Alert of things around it, even if it couldn't tell the difference between a threatening shark and a tiny sardine.
"And then, when it grows, it can be combined with other elements to, well, create more elements." The leopard said the last part with a half-snorted laugh. The idea sounded absurd when announced like this. "Xentus wishes to raise it for the purpose of creating said other elements." And with that, his brief explanation on the golem was completed.
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Post by Xentus on Aug 23, 2020 11:27:15 GMT -6
Akinai got the jist of it. "What a strange thing to keep in your company", she assessed as she stared at the thing for a while longer, "I thought you more of a dog person." That statement made the leopard frown. What was that supposed to mean? What made him a dog person.. Ah, well, she didn't know of the main features of his collection quite yet.
"Oh no, no. Xentus favors great beasts of all kinds. Especially ones of great teeth and wings. The bigger the better", he retorted, almost sounding like he was joking. But there was a certain serious look in his eye that she picked up on that hinted at the truth in his words. She tilted her head at him, curious about what these beasts might be..
"Ah, Akinai should meet Basantai", he said with a devilish grin, "He is feeling well enough to have him meet others." Ominous. He had a suspicious look on his face. There was an odd gleam in his eye that she noticed while he tried to look unassuming, sitting there tying new bait onto his line.
"I think the living rock is enough for now", she said, pointing her nose at the stoic wind golem. It sat there.. Happily? She guessed.
Using Double Hook 25> Exeunt W3 and Akinai. End of Fishing Trip #1 (25)
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Post by Jack on Aug 23, 2020 14:52:20 GMT -6
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Post by Xentus on Sept 12, 2021 16:40:53 GMT -6
Fishing Trip #2 > Xentus, accompanied by...
Magic was still a thing he had yet to fully understand.. No matter his research into it, the gathering of crystals, the creation of a node, none of it helped the concept make more sense. The magic did not call to him. He sought it out. And now with its power in his hands, he wasn't sure what to do with it. So, what better place to turn to than the homeland of those naturally gifted with it! Xentus was glad to have at least one connection here in Eterra: with Akinai and her family. He visited often enough, if only to keep in touch with the dragoness and her children, so she wasn't nearly as sullen this time when he proposed to go out to the river.
"And.. The bird posses power too?", the dragon spoke skeptically, eyeing the golden alurook, "Are you sure about this?" She had agreed to help the mammalian tap into his node, but he didn't make mention of trying to teach an owl to use magic too until now. "Xentus has seen Mashiik summon winds and call lightning. Having her do such with proper intent will keep the bird from tearing his cottage down..", he sheepishly replied.
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