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Post by Xentus on Sept 4, 2020 15:43:32 GMT -6
Current Quest:
> Xentus, accompanied by...
Coming out to find himself an odd job or two at the bulletin board was becoming an ever frequent occurrence for the leopard. There was always something interesting to do, whether it was reorganizing books at the local library or returning stolen ones out by the docks. It was amazing how much was going on at any given time around this place. It sated his need for adventure, calming that itch of wanderlust and letting him stay put in this place for just a little bit longer.
This time, there seemed to be some kind of small stage set up by the board, with a speaker talking something about comets. Curiosity piqued, the leopard stopped to listen in about whatever was going on here. He was running some errands with the golems (as usual for his life at the moment), holding a newly formed seedling in his arms. It clattered and anxiously writhed its pseudopods, not approving of the loud commotion that might disturb its master.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 7:55:24 GMT -6
Xentus lingered for a little while after the speech was finished, interested in learning more about the astronomers and this comet they spoke of. There were also hints of the researchers needing help to secure themselves a proper viewing area.. Leading him to believe they were less like well-accomplished scientists and more like backyard hobbyists. Might explain why they've come to the public job board advertising their cause. The leopard tried to discern the level of professionalism these astronomers had, skeptical of their potential. Perhaps they had some kind of mobile equipment set that there were going to establish later at night before the comet's passing. The man was left in his thoughts while the crowd around him dissipated. The golem in his arms stopped squirming as much with fewer people around. It was slightly calmer, but still alert for the sake of its bonded one. Even if it couldn't do much about a threat, it would try what it could!
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 8:04:49 GMT -6
The final regards of the astronomers were mostly recruitment calls to their small organization. Given that he stayed for the entire speech, the leopard considered himself interested enough to join them in the viewing event tonight. A woman with a pair of large glasses that stood out against her small frame waved him down, offering forth a starry pamphlet.
"Interested in the comet viewing tonight sir?", she piped up, "We of the Astronomer's Association are preparing for the passing and would love for you to join us!"
Xentus gave her a friendly smile and a nod as he thumbed through the pamphlet, mulling on the idea. "Ah, yes, this one is quite interested. Xentus hears that you might be needing help as well?", he replied thoughtfully, looking up, "He might be able to lend a hand. Or ah. Tentacle." A writhing arm of the golem reached out as if on cue, reminding the leopard of his errands for the day.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 8:11:36 GMT -6
"Oh! Yes, we were looking for some help with calibrating our equipment, getting to the viewing site, recording measurements..", the woman rambled on, listed off the entire to-do list for the project.
They seemed.. A lot less prepared for this rare opportunity than he first thought. Taking a better look at the woman and other researchers recruiting those left of the crowd, it seemed their group measured in only about five or so members. A small team, it seemed. Was it enough people to properly prepare for their venture later at night? To him it didn't seem like it, but he supposed he'd seen smaller research groups before. The golem in his arms was beginning to grow a little more concerned with the presence of the chatty woman in white, shell-head clattering as a warning. The mammalian gently hushed the creature, assuring it that the researcher posed no threat. It was a rather fickle one. This venture would do it well to provide it some socialization.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 8:19:47 GMT -6
"Well, Xentus would be happy to lend aid to your party. He knows the outskirts of the city quite well, there are good spots in the mountains to avoid the light pollution", he pitched, considering the apparent need for a site. The night sky was wonderful to witness without the bright lights of the city. Out by the mining areas of the mountains, one could gaze upon its beauty undisturbed. He'd spend some nights camping out there just to stargaze.
"As a guide? We could use a guide! Oh we might spent plenty of time outside, but the most wilderness we get is out in the concrete jungle!", the woman chuckled a squirrley laugh at her own quip, "We were just going to use the docks originally since it's nearby.. I'll tell the team!"
And like that, she was trotting away excitedly. With the stranger gone, the golem relaxed, settling itself comfortably in the man's arms.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 8:24:03 GMT -6
A hard blink pressed the leopard's face. Ah.. This was little more of an arrangement than he'd intended, but it was fine. He only really intended to point the researches in the right direction, or maybe give them advice on where they might find the clearest skies. To be the one guiding them out there was beyond what he had planned for the day. There were some errands to run, a golem to keep happy while doing so, and perhaps some comet watching later at night. This would shake up his schedule. They would need to start heading out to the outskirts soon if they wanted to make it there before sundown. A frown curled the man's lip down as he parsed out the new plan for his day. It didn't bother him much, though the golem might be a bit cumbersome to keep happy in the meantime. Ah, well perhaps this would serve just fine as some kind of golem bonding time.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 6, 2020 9:25:32 GMT -6
The creature in his arms clattered in response to the conflicted waves of energy its master let off. It was concerned, though powerless to help. Doting blue eyes peered at its inner seed, followed by a gently reassuring touch.
"Saturn, be on your best behavior. Let us entertain these astronomers as their guide. Nothing ill could come of it, this one is sure", he said gently to the golem, knowing of its anxiety. It settled down, seemingly begrudgingly. This seedling in particular was more reactive than the others he raised. It would be interesting to see how it would fare as he helped the astronomers. Those of curious mind might even be interested to learn a bit about the strange creature.
A shouted 'hey!' and a wave beckoned the leopard over to them small group of people lingering around the stage. There were about ten or so total, a nicely sized group for a comet viewing, he thought.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 15, 2020 17:12:33 GMT -6
Xentus approached the group with a friendly smile on his muzzle, waving a raised hand to greet them. "So this is uh..", the researcher woman for earlier started, "Xentus, right? So, Xentus here will be leading us out to the mountains for the viewing! I hope you all are ready for a hike haha!" With the introduction, all eyes were on him.
"Yes, this one believes the mountains where many go for mining will prove to be a prefect viewing location. Little should disturb the sky, save for the clouds", he explained, looking up, "The forecast should be clear, as far as Xentus knows. If possible, meeting again before sundown would be the best to safely travel." It was a little past noon, giving plenty of time before dusk. Meaning he had the chance to finish his some own errands with the golem before needing to serve as an guide for these people. Saturn was a little nervous with all these people around.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 15, 2020 17:23:47 GMT -6
He did have the option to return the golem to the kennel before needing to set out.. But he decided that Saturn would come with him for the journey. It needed exposure to people and it might even like the mountain air. It was part earth, after all.
"Ah, is possible, it might be best to arrange a carriage to the mountain foot", the leopard pitched to the astronomers, "Especially considering the equipment.. Might you have a beast of burden for the task?" His question was met with a confident nod from the squirrely woman. "Yup! Got Betsy, a good 'ol 'gug. She's no good for riding, but she'll get our things up there no problem", she said, then turned to the rest of the group, "Oh! You all might want to bring camping equipment, we're not sure how late it might get.. We'll call it.. Camp n' Comet! Er.. Comet Camp. Yes, that one."
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Post by Xentus on Sept 15, 2020 17:30:22 GMT -6
And wit that, it seemed the plan was set. Head off for a while until sunset, come back here, catch a ride to the mountain foot, then hike up to a viewing spot. Camping out might not be the worst idea either. Xentus lingered around for a little while longer, allowing the researchers to make a few closing remarks, then went to handle some other business and prepare.
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The sun was setting much faster than he'd anticipated. Ah, time passed so quickly when there was a schedule to follow. A schedule that involved heading a group of strangers, no less. He still carried Saturn with him, now nestled safely within a messenger bag slung around his shoulder. On his back, he carried a backpack of light camping gear, with his crystal torch poking out the top. He figured it would make him more visible in the dim light of dusk. Saturn clattered quietly in the bag, seeming a little disgruntled by this means of transportation.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 15, 2020 17:37:12 GMT -6
Waiting upon his return were the researchers and a few others of the group from earlier. The headcount was a little less than before, but there was still time for stragglers to arrive. "Greetings", the leopard announced his arrival with a friendly wave, "We should have time to wait for the last few of the party to arrive, yes?" The squirrely woman seemed excited to see him, jumping up from strapping the last of the equipment into the wagon behind who he presumed was Betsy.
"Oh yes! The carriages are waiting though, we can't be too much longer..", she said, looking in the direction of the station, "I'd say.. 10, 15 minutes? Sundown is a pretty loose description y'know." He did feel a little guilty in not providing an exact time for meeting up again, but the setting sun was threatening to dip below the horizon at any minute. The golem in his bag squirmed, seeming to want to escape and have a better view than the bottom of the bag.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 15, 2020 17:53:20 GMT -6
Well, with a few minutes to spare, he decided to pull Saturn out of the bag for a little while. The golem writhed its pseudopods, wrapping them around his fingers with a probing touch. The mammalian looked fondly into one of the pores on its head-shell, seeing the glowing yellow seed within peer back.
"So, what's that?", someone curiously asked as they walked up, leaning in to look at the strange creature. Xentus turned his attention to the fae, another one of the researchers by the looks of it.
"Ah, this is Saturn. It is a golem seedling, the result of a.. Project which this one has", the leopard explained, rubbing the creature with a gentle touch.
"You researchin' it? Don't see anyone with 'em really", the fae continued on, "Does it bite?"
The leopard took the time to tell some meager details about the sand seedling to the curious researcher, warning against touching the golem. But, their conversation was cut short by an announcement to get going.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 17, 2020 12:01:56 GMT -6
Xentus perked up, starting to feel rather excited about this whole venture. It didn't set in until now, the responsibility he'd face. Not.. That it was something entirely too daunting. Yet, he didn't want to let these fine people down anyway. There was a rare event to witness tonight, and the success of the viewing rested on his guidance. He excused himself from the chat with the fae researcher and headed off to converge with the others. Saturn seemed relieved to no longer be studied by a stranger's eye. The little golem had been clattering and lashing its little pseudopods in agitation. Back into the bag it went.
With the rest of the group now, the leopard set off with them to the carriage station. There were a few more people than the original group, totaling about 13, excluding the researchers. Comfortable, not too many heads to keep track of. Passengers shuffled into the carriages and without much delay, they set off to the mountain foot.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 17, 2020 12:07:41 GMT -6
In the wagon with him were a couple of astronomers and a fellow body from the crowd. There was idle chatter about what to expect, how rare and fascinating the comet was, the brightest constellations in the area.. The leopard had little to pitch in until one of the researchers piped up with a question about how safe the mountains were.
"Ah, well there is not much to be on guard except for tunnel worms and their burrows", he started to explain, mulling about it, "The creatures tend to stay well below the surface, but their paths may cause collapse up above. Otherwise, this one doesn't believe there is much to fear in the surrounding land."
His words were met with a grimace on one of the fellow stargazers. "Do not fret, the mountains are frequented by those who wish to plunder its riches. This one has been in and around them plenty", Xentus explained, trying to talk down the nervousness. All the while on the trip, his hand rested atop his golem companion.
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Post by Xentus on Sept 17, 2020 12:22:25 GMT -6
"One of the nicest things about the mountain top is the view. Lovely, it is", Xentus shifted the subject away from danger and more to something calming, "Hiking up will take time, but it will be well worth it. Xentus knows of a nice plateau that will accommodate the party well."
These words were met with more pleasant chatter and excitement about the trip. By the looks of it, most of the group didn't frequent the mountains. With the dark of the night, he was a little afraid of someone not keeping pace.. But there should also be plenty of time before peak viewing time of the comet. As told by the astronomers, the comet was actually going to be visible for about two weeks, and that tonight was simply the first of its dust tail being visible.
Before long, the carriages came to a stop. Xentus heaved Saturn into a comfortable spot on his hip and made his exit, ready to get going.
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