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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 16:56:30 GMT -6
| Xentus, | Currently Accompanied By...
| | Relevant Skills:
- Agriculture 3
- Plant Lore
- Berry Picking
- Expert Gardener
- Toxin-wise |
| | Supplies;
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Posts
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 17:03:42 GMT -6
"Alright, Valii, you know what happens today, yes?"
Xentus was rather good at holding off on bringing the serpentine plant to the breeding facility until the near end of its fruiting cycle. Call it laziness, call it forgetfulness. He didn't feel terribly pressed for time, and was free to miss out on his chance for lola - it wasn't a big deal. He'd amassed a good number of lola from the serpent already. His research with them only extended as far as his curiosity took him, which was beginning to wane. The different colors of lola was the most interesting thing to look forward to anymore. They were surprisingly varied creatures - coming in many colors and patterns. Somehow, it seemed there were some typical coat color connections. White with blue spots was one he'd grown fond of seeing. The leopard rested his eyes upon the lotine, wondering what kind she'd produce next.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 17:17:53 GMT -6
There was no chance that she's produce a rainbow lola, was there.. Xentus was well aware that Valii had unique coloring, being a special purchase from the labs. He'd come across her at an estate sale; the son of her owner passed her off a mere 'ornamental' pet. Like how one would treat fish in an aquarium. Xentus knew better though. Lotine could practically be their own person. But it seemed they were generally content with being cared for or left to their own devices in a suitable pond. What a life. Valii wasn't pampered or spoiled, and he knew he didn't give her any special treatment aside from bringing her out to the breeding center. But she seemed to like him well enough. Or grew to, anyway. Guilt crept into the man's mind as he reminded himself that he didn't take the time to truly bond with the plant-serpent..
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 17:28:30 GMT -6
The short outings to the breeding center hardly counted. The man sighed, recounting the list of things he wanted to do with the lotine. Teach her his words, perhaps to read or write, and to use some of her innate powers. There was always a tomorrow. For now, it was time to get going. Xentus wrangled the rainbowed serpent into his arms and onto a carriage. There was little fuss by the lotine - she seemed to start enjoying getting held like this. Her black eyes stared hard at the leopard's face, trying to assess what he was thinking. She was perceptive, knowing that the man was usually lost in deep thought or had something on his mind. A hum escaped the lotine, songlike and quiet. Xentus slowed his walking for a moment to glance down at Valii, giving her a slight smile. "Worry not, Val. This one knows we will make it there safely and shortly"
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 18:01:34 GMT -6
That likely wasn't what the lotine was concerned about, or even trying to voice, and she couldn't understand his words to begin with. But talking to her still seemed like the right thing to do. No different than trying to talk to someone despite knowing not the same language.
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The ride to the breeding center went well; it was but a short ride to the facility. Xentus tried to let the serpent down onto the floor of the cabin, she she wouldn't budge from his arms. It didn't bother him though. He held tight onto the lotine for the entire ride then carried her out like the princess she was. The serpent was released into one of the facility's ponds, finally letting his arms free of her weight. Valii hardly wanted to budge, but the leopard was successful in coaxing her into cool autumn water. Her rainbowed form quickly disappeared into the liquid.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:06:37 GMT -6
And just as quickly as she disappeared, she reappeared, popping her head out of the water to stare at the warden some more. Xentus raised a brow, looking back at the serpent. He could never tell what she was thinking.. Ah, what did she want? The leopard voiced his question aloud as he settled himself at the side of the pond. The lotine tilted her head at his words, trying her best to understand.. At times, it truly felt like she figured him out.. Like now. Her stare stiffened briefly, then she pointer her attention to his pack. He always carried that thing around here. There was food that he had, and she was hungry. It didn't take long for Xentus to catch on. "Soon, dear Valii", he chuckled, "Settle in, Xentus will do the same" The leopard began rifling through his belongings, trying to figure what would be needed and what would not.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:13:49 GMT -6
He brought a book this time. A children's book, so it wasn't going to be anything too intensive for either party. It would hopefully get Valii accustomed to his words and their meanings. Though.. A picture book was best shared when the listener could see what was on the page. The bright, colorful images were purposefully eye catching to gather the attention of young ones. With that in mind, he wasn't sure how to share the pictures with the lotine. Flip the book around every now and again? That sounded like it would work. Now that he had a plan, he figured it was time to give the serpent her special treat. Valii's eyes seemed to light up as the rainbowed fish was revealed. The man offered it forward in his hand; an offer which the serpent quickly took in her mouth. "Hey now, careful of this one's fingers", the man scolded playfully.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:20:45 GMT -6
Valii lingered at the surface of the pond, slowly chewing on her fish. Her stare returned to Xentus, seeming to consider his words. She swam up to the edge of the pond and placed her head down to look up at him apologetically. A look which he couldn't begin to be mad at for any duration. His already soft expression softened further as he rubbed the top of the creature's head. "How about a book to listen to whilst you eat, Val?", the man offered, now thumbing through the thin picture book. The lotine wasted little time in chewing on her meal, though seemed to be pacing herself well enough. Waiting for him to eat too, he thought. They'd normally have a meal together. It just felt right. And he did have food of his own to eat - a small salad. But it would wait for later. The leopard returned to the front of the book and opened to the first page.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:27:32 GMT -6
The store followed the adventures of a particularly hungry golossle. Xentus felt a little odd reading aloud to the lotine, but did so anyway in a sweet, gentle voice. The cartoon golossle larva was perpetually hungry and complained of such. Every page, he'd turn it around and point to the illustration. Valii seemed vaguely interested, eyes flicking between the motions of his mouth and the image on the page. But somehow, it didn't feel like she cared much. It was probably hard to, considering she had no real grasp of his words. He'd need to do this kind of thing far more often to garner the serpent's interest and eventual learning. Time and effort. Valii was worth it. It didn't take long before she seemed to give up on looking at the pages and simply stared at the man's mouth, intently listening to his strange sounds. And she tried to hum, mimicking his sounds.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:33:32 GMT -6
The humming was far too whale-like to really seem like she was copying him, but he appreciated the effort she put in. Maybe.. Singing would reach her better than reading. The problem now was that he knew little in the way of children's songs, and even less in how to actually sing. The man frowned as he tried to give the idea more thought. He could try using the radio. There was probably some children's station that he could get the lotine started on, then move on to something more mature. Unfortunately, he didn't bring a radio with him.. With a sigh, he resigned himself to singing. He could try singing the book instead of reading it. A shallow snort escaped the man. Wasn't the worst idea he'd ever had. A random page was opened and the man began to read-sing it aloud, eyes flicking between the words and the lotine.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 31, 2021 21:42:54 GMT -6
She.. Seemed to approve? Mostly in that she tried to mirror him. He could hear her struggling to match his tone and pace in humming, unable to find a pattern to the words and the notes that he used. It was too fast for her wails. Xentus adjusted and slowed down, but it still wasn't quite enough for the lotine to catch on. Singing in harmony with another wasn't easy if the melody and words were unknown. She could only guess where the melody would go, and it didn't follow the same patterns she used in her song. Xentus gave up with a sigh, letting the song fade out. It wasn't a bad attempt, but it could be better. Something to think about, something to try again. "This one is a horrid singer, Valii", he admitted to the lotine, "Let him ah.. Practice. He would like to try it again with you"
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Post by Silver on Nov 9, 2021 20:30:51 GMT -6
 Choco swirls! |
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Oct 30, 2024 11:03:36 GMT -6
Oct 30, 2024 11:03:36 GMT -6
This song is one of the most common culprits for me, lol
Oct 23, 2024 13:48:09 GMT -6
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This song is one of the most common culprits for me, lol
Oct 23, 2024 13:48:09 GMT -6
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