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Post by Zenjesi on Mar 18, 2024 13:30:09 GMT -6
Supposedly it would not be a life-threatening endeavor. Or... not permanently anyway. Research indicated there were healers available to participants. This fact and the implication of magics intrigued Zenjesi almost as much as the prospect of the battle itself. In summary, they supposed it would be good exercise and even enrichment for a carnivore and predator like a Gallor.
However, they doubted he would be very competitive if he was not able to access his full potential, so the ability to fly seemed to be a natural starting point. He clearly had the motivation to take to the sky. Now, the question would just be how to convey the concepts to him, when they shared no languages; Zenjesi, of course, had no wings with which to model for him. They would need to be creative. What was at their disposal?
The satyr's eyes turned upward, reviewing the surrounding trees while Lumi scraped at the dirt.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Lumi: 2.4, 9.4
Fly: 7
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Post by Zenjesi on Mar 18, 2024 13:49:28 GMT -6
A tree with suitably low branches caught their eye. That would suffice. With a practiced degree of ease, Zenjesi scaled the trunk, their hooves hooking in the little grooves offered by the bark, and fingers finding the best handholds. Their movement quickly attracted Lumi's attention. He turned, cocking his head and watching as they ascended.
They passed the lowest branch; for a beast twice their own size, that would be too near the ground for their purposes. However, they stopped at the next. Any higher, and they worried he may hurt himself while he learned. "Lumi," they hissed down to him, extracting a scrap of meat from their bag. His beak clacked at the sight, and he approached. With only minimal hesitation and confusion, he began to follow Zenjesi up the tree. The branches, for him, could be used more like a ladder. "Good." They gave him a small treat, saving the more tantalizing one for the next step.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Lumi: 2.6, 9.6
Fly: 8
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Post by Zenjesi on Mar 18, 2024 14:15:57 GMT -6
Presenting the second treat to him, and ensuring he had the opportunity to sniff it, Zenjesi then tossed it onto the grass. They looked to the Gallor expectantly. He watched it fall, then made a sort of call in the back of his throat that plainly sounded irritated. Tail swishing, he began to clamber back down the branches. The satyr opened their mouth, then closed it with a frown. That was not what they had intended. But perhaps his irritation with the awkward climb meant that he would be more likely to try the proper method the next time.
Lumi reached the ground, snapped up the piece of meat, and then let out a soft screech back up to Zenjesi. They produced another slice, waving it in the air. His wings ruffled, and he screeched again, this time a bit louder, and more insistently. "If you want it, you must come to me."
Zenjesi: 0.4 Lumi: 2.8, 9.8
Fly: 9
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Post by Zenjesi on Mar 18, 2024 14:32:02 GMT -6
A moment of quiet consideration passed between them before finally Lumi relented. His tail was swishing now even a little more furiously as he dug his claws into the branches and hauled himself upwards. Of course, Zenjesi rewarded him for reaching them, which appeased him only marginally. Now, they would have to be strategic, and play on his instincts.
The meat was held carefully, such that he would not be able to snatch it from them prematurely. Then they waved it in front of him, back and forth, little fluttering motions. His eyes darted after it quickly, ears perked with interest, and beak began to follow the path. Then they abruptly threw it from the branch, and Lumi threw himself after it. There was a moment where his legs kicked out, searching for purchase where there was none, but his wings spread out to break his fall. For just a moment, his descent slowed.
Zenjesi: 0.5 Lumi: 3.0, 10.0
Fly: 10
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Post by Zenjesi on Mar 19, 2024 17:00:09 GMT -6
He was supported in the air for just that moment, and it offered him enough balance and lift that he landed with only a little awkward scrambling of his paws. It took him a moment to re-orient himself and to remember the treat he had chased. Lumi's wings remained extended, and he trotted in a quick circle. He was excited. He had felt what Zenjesi had witnessed: not flight, yet, but the beginnings of a glide. Of course, this excitement did not prevent him from snapping up the scrap eventually. Zenjesi whispered a bit of praise down to him, then waved another treat, beckoning him up.
With no hesitation, he began his climb up the tree once more. This time, he required very little leading. As they released the scrap of meat, he followed and immediately extended his wings. It was a short distance, but his glide only wobbled once before he touched down again.
Zenjesi: 0.6 Lumi: 3.2, 10.2
Fly: 11
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 2, 2024 15:02:44 GMT -6
The treat was quickly retrieved, and followed by another wing ruffle and a sudden, ear-splitting cry. Beginning to access this ability seemed to be also bolstering Lumi's confidence. Zenjesi was not sure that he had been lacking in confidence prior to now, but perhaps his many displays had been compensating for his lack of flight. They could only hope that this would temper that trait, and not exacerbate it. Were they making a mistake in teaching him? There would be only way to find out.
But perhaps the choice had been removed from their control anyway. A moment later, Lumi reappeared beside them in the tree. His eyes were fixated on the bag by Zenjesi's side, and his beak clacked. He looked quite expectantly from the bag down to the grass below. The satyr pursed their lips. "You may leap if you wish. You do not need this prize," they reminded him.
Zenjesi: 0.7 Lumi: 3.4, 10.4
Fly: 12
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 2, 2024 15:21:23 GMT -6
This response was evidently insufficient. Their Gallor escalated and bumped his head into the bag. Lest he invite himself further, Zenjesi pulled one more scrap forth. However, instead of throwing it to the ground, they gestured upward. "This is too simple." Much to his chagrin, they began to climb. Another two branches up into the tree, and Zenjesi paused. A quick visual measurement left them satisfied. This would be a suitably more difficult test, requiring a little more control than his first attempts. Still, there was ample open space such that he would not need to maneuver to reach the ground.
Lumi followed them further into the tree, although they could see that he was beginning to struggle with this effort. He had evidently been trained in neither flying nor climbing. They would need to be creative once more if the training was to continue. Still, he had managed this much, so they ought to make the most of it.
Zenjesi: 0.8 Lumi: 3.6, 10.6
Fly: 13
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 2, 2024 16:04:55 GMT -6
"Lumi," they caught his attention with the hissed word, waving the treat only once before throwing it out from the tree. This time, they aimed for a longer arc from their higher vantage point. Whether it was due to this newfound confidence or the fact that his claws were scrabbling on the wood for proper purchase, the Gallor needed no further prompting. Despite the increased height, he pushed off with spread wings, attention fully fixed on the falling treat. His tail swished like a rudder as he attempted to orient himself, and it slapped Zenjesi once across the side of the face as he began his descent.
But this time, something different occurred: Lumi flapped his wings. It was only once, and it did not seem to provide him with any additional lift, but it seemed the instinct had been finally activated. His claws touched down with a newfound grace.
Zenjesi: 0.9 Lumi: 3.8, 10.8
Fly: 14
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 16:37:52 GMT -6
Zenjesi smiled. They were not the sort of person to cheer loudly. Even if they had been, their vocal limitations would not have allowed it. Still, this development deserved some acknowledgment. They clapped twice. As the noise attracted Lumi's attention, they threw another treat down to him. This not only rewarded the attempt at flight, but also encouraged him to pay them mind while at rest, which would be invaluable for future training and obedience. Whether or not he would adhere to that in a combat scenario, they were not sure. But they were not sure if he would adhere to any training in that context. They had never been in that sort of a situation and doubted that Lumi had either. How did one prepare for what that would entail? What would something like that possibly entail? They could not guess. Each time they attempted to, they were severely humbled.
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged! Lumi: 4.0, 11.0
Fly: 15
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 16:52:49 GMT -6
They were close, Zenjesi suspected. They had managed to inspire him to leverage his wings. Perhaps another attempt or two and the instinct would rise close enough to the surface that they could attempt something more daring. So, they began the routine once more. Another clap, a whisper of his name, a beckoning gesture. He was reluctant to join them this time, after his struggles the previous one. Still, it seemed his loyalty to them was great enough that he was willing to make the struggle.
The large Gallor struggled his way up the branches. This time, they could hear one groan under his weight. Perhaps the tree would make the decision to expel them first. A shame that would be, for both their own vitality and the tree's. There was no time to waste, then. They fixed his attention on the meat, then threw it once more, and he leaped.
Zenjesi: 0.1 Lumi: 4.2, 11.2
Fly: 16
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 17:02:38 GMT -6
Again, his wings flapped once, but his movement was slightly asymmetrical, and his overconfidence in the gesture proved to be an immediate issue. He began to twist out of his glide, accidentally angling towards a tree branch instead. Zenjesi held their breath, knuckles whitening on their own perch as they leaned forward for a better view. There was nothing they could do but watch. His wings began to flap furiously, tail circling like a cat's as he struggled to correct his path. But he did not have the experience or perhaps the musculature needed.
He crashed into the branch, but thankfully anticipated it enough to catch it with his claws first. The end broke under his weight, sending him back into a sideways free fall. This, at least, inspired the desperation needed. With several frantic beats of his wings, he righted and slowed himself in time for a rough but safe landing.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Lumi: 4.4, 11.4
Fly: 17
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 17:18:02 GMT -6
Zenjesi released a bated breath, sitting back against the tree trunk. "You are alright?" they whispered down, though they doubted he could hear them, and of course knew he could not understand or answer, regardless. Lumi's ruffling feathers and wildly swishing tail suggested a significant degree of embarrassment. However, aside from one caw as he had fallen, he had made no sound on impact, and did not appear to be limping or otherwise injured. It was only his pride, which was significant for him.
This seemed to be a natural transition point in the training. The tree would not provide the proper high ground required, and the proximity of the branches was too tight to allow him to really practice more complicated movements of his wings. He really was quite large. It was easy to lose perspective on his size when they were seated so far above him, but they were certain that he could easily carry their weight.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Lumi: 4.6, 11.6
Fly: 18
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 17:52:49 GMT -6
Perhaps such a thing could be a training topic for another day; that would never be possible if they could not first lift him from the ground. They carefully removed themselves from the tree. It seemed Lumi's shame had abated somewhat by the time they reached him. Some gentle petting seemed to resolve the remainder. Within a few moments, he was leaning into their hand, which proved to be a bit too much weight for their strength, but they were so pleased with his affections that they allowed it to continue until their muscles caved and they both stumbled.
This did draw their attention back to the seemingly abandoned building beside them. The peak of the roof appeared to be higher than the branches they had been able to reach. This would be their next tool. A quick search revealed an old, large, and disused trash container that would serve as a makeshift step stool.
Zenjesi: 0.4 Lumi: 4.8, 11.8
Fly: 19
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 10, 2024 18:32:34 GMT -6
It quickly proved that neither Zenjesi nor Lumi was equipped to climb man-made structures. With a tree or the like, Zenjesi's hooves could be of aid. Their eyes knew which grooves and handholds to seek. Lumi's claws, too, were more easily able to grasp soft bark. All the keratin between them proceeded to scrabble helplessly against metal and brick. It was a mercy that they were secluded as they struggled. Still, eventually, they managed to together clamber their ways to the rooftop. The satyr took stock of their surroundings. On one side, the clearing, on the other, few trees and a narrow path separated them from a moderately sized pond. That would be perfect. But first...
They attempted their process once more. It seemed Lumi was more comfortable with learning to utilize his wings with the open space this standpoint granted. Within a couple rounds, he learned to stabilize himself and to beat evenly.
Zenjesi: 0.5 Lumi: 5.0, 12.0
Fly: 20
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 12, 2024 18:38:21 GMT -6
Still, he had not had experience with sustaining flight. As they had observed previously, Lumi seemed already to have some attachment to them upon their arrival at the park today. Thankfully, evidence would suggest that despite the hardships, the training they had done together had only strengthened that bond. Thus, they felt prepared to undertake the next phase. Whether or not Lumi was prepared was about to be discerned.
Zenjesi called the Gallor up to join them on the rooftop once again. Immediately, he moved to the edge he had leaped from the times before, looking to the satyr with expectation. This was a bit silly to Zenjesi, as it fully implied he was no longer intimidated by the leap, but felt he deserved some incentive to do so all the same. "Your challenge is greater now." Zenjesi stepped across to the opposite side that overlooked the pond. They wished they had brought a slingshot.
Zenjesi: 0.6 Lumi: 5.2, 12.2
Fly: 21
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