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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 12, 2024 19:40:28 GMT -6
They would just need to hope that Lumi was feeling attentive and inspired from his previous efforts. They took a scrap of meat in their hand, weighed it, visually judged the distance... "Lumi," they caught his eye. Then they threw the treat as far as they could, arcing it into the afternoon sky. He leaped once more, claws and beak reaching after the piece, wings beating... and it seemed he did not comprehend the additional challenge he was facing until that moment.
He began to fall before the treat did. Yet his prey drive would not let this happen. His wings began to work harder, his paws also paddling in the air as he willed himself onward and upward, eyes fixed on his prize. At long last, his wings provided him with the lift he needed. Lumi burst through a tangle of branches and out of sight beyond. Zenjesi waited for a few moments with bated breath.
Zenjesi: 0.7 Lumi: 5.4, 12.4
Fly: 22
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 13, 2024 14:18:10 GMT -6
Then, finally, he reappeared, gliding quite gracefully to a landing on the grass beside the building. He had circled around, but not managed to regain the altitude with which he had begun. Still, this was a significant improvement. "You have done well, Lumi," the satyr whispered down to him, throwing him an additional scrap. He cried out triumphantly, climbing to join them on the roof with no further bidding. He was excited again. Zenjesi smiled. Good. He was understanding.
A second and third time they tested him on the same routine. Each time, they could see his ability improving, and each time, he was better able to maintain his lift. Finally, they watched as he leaped, glided, twisted around a grasping tree branch, and at last, ascended. Lumi crested the treetops, then swept off in a victorious lap around the edges of the pond. When he landed again, it was beside Zenjesi on the roof.
Zenjesi: 0.8 Lumi: 5.6, 12.6
Fly: 23
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 13, 2024 14:30:24 GMT -6
Understandably, he was becoming fatigued by the effort, but there was one last skill that Zenjesi knew they had to master if they were to claim he was able to fly: taking to the air from the ground. They had never visited the combat arena, so they could not know, but it seemed unlikely that it would be equipped with the kind of structures and platforms they had been using thus far. They did not want to rely only on the assumption that he would manage when the time came.
So, they praised their Gallor with quiet words and a pet behind the ears, and then they descended. To their delight, he did not climb down behind them, but instead casually flapped a couple of times before alighting on the grass. He cawed, and watched them attentively. They nodded to him. "This is where we began," they noted, as they took one more scrap from their bag.
Zenjesi: 0.9 Lumi: 5.8, 12.8
Fly: 24
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Post by Zenjesi on Apr 13, 2024 15:05:16 GMT -6
They bent their knees, prepared the treat on their fingertips.... " Lumi, fly!" they directed him, and they flung the meat into the air. Lumi's icy blue eyes darted up after its trajectory, as they had not so long ago with the fleeing bird. He pushed off with powerful haunches, flapped once... and landed again. The scrap hit the ground beside him, and he snapped it up. Zenjesi frowned. That was not the lesson he was meant to learn. They hoped he would bother to attempt a second time, or they would need to change their methods again. But Lumi was determined. As the second treat arced upward, the Gallor pushed off a second time. This time, he calculated correctly. Though it was apparent that he struggled for a moment, he was over Zenjesi's reach at the moment that he caught the meat in his beak. His claws scraped the surface of the rooftop as he landed, threw his head back and cawed. Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged! Lumi: 6.0, 13.0 Fly: 25
(Zenjesi and Lumi are leaving)
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Post by Zenjesi on Aug 24, 2024 18:26:01 GMT -6
Zenjesi had been inspired. The difficult thing was that Florian was rarely inspired in the same manner that they were. Still, over time, the two had learned to see more eye to eye. In this case, that was more literal than it had ever been. The Bulldozer had, naturally, grown larger over the time he had been in Zenjesi's care, but they believed he had gone through a particularly significant period of growth in the past few months. His once quite short legs now left him standing with his shoulder at a point that was midway up their torso. He was quickly growing into his adolescent years, where his movements were a bit ungainly and uncoordinated, but to Zenjesi, of course, endearing all the while. Today, they were on a journey to the park. Specifically, Zenjesi intended to return to the quiet place they had utilized to train Lumi to fly not long ago. Zenjesi: 0.1 Florian: 19.2, 11.6 Carry Rider: 1
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Post by Zenjesi on Aug 24, 2024 18:39:18 GMT -6
The Bulldozer was not on a leash. There was no purpose. Despite his somewhat awkward use of his legs, the abundant muscle that he was growing into was plain to see. A movement as simple as a turn of his head might be enough to dislocate the satyr's arm if he were attached to them by a string. Besides, Florian was a good boy. He was quite well-behaved, and he still wore an amulet for the peace of mind of others. It looked quite small around his neck now. Absently, Zenjesi wondered how much larger he would grow.
The walk was pleasant enough. There was remarkably little foot traffic to contend with when one was traveling with a Bulldozer by their side. All the same, Zenjesi thought it best to be polite, and they smiled to passersby, though they received no smiles in return. Florian simply seemed appreciative of the opportunity to stretch his legs.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Florian: 19.4, 11.7
Carry Rider: 2
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Post by Zenjesi on Aug 25, 2024 14:26:54 GMT -6
The pace, too, could be a bit less luxurious and a bit more productive now that his stride was more comparable to their own. Still, it was peaceful, the Bulldozer marching along beside, his long tail swishing slowly to and fro. But presently, they arrived at their destination. The satyr was pleased to find that this location seemed, still, to be quite deserted. They had work to do.
Zenjesi had been to the riding contest. They had not entered, as they had never learned to ride, nor trained a beast to carry them. But to see the keepers working in unison with their creatures, to witness the potential... Zenjesi's mind, of course, turned immediately to one companion in particular, and he was standing beside them now. "Do you possess the strength?" the satyr mused, laying a hand on his back. The Bulldozer's three eyes watched them. He was strong, that was not in doubt.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Florian: 19.6, 11.8
Carry Rider: 3
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Post by Zenjesi on Aug 25, 2024 14:45:21 GMT -6
The question was simply if their weight added to his own would not distribute well on his joints. Still, there was limited information available regarding Bulldozer biology. Perhaps Zenjesi was a pioneer. After all, who but Zenjesi would be mad enough to climb onto a Bulldozer? Their reassurance was that Florian was the one with whom they were working. They had no reason to believe that he would not make it known immediately if he was unhappy with the situation for any reason. Though, perhaps that would also be a hindrance. Time would tell.
Now, to begin in earnest. "Florian, stay," Zenjesi requested. The Bulldozer snorted. Not moving was rather his specialty. The satyr placed both hands on his side. He was too tall now for them to easily swing one leg over his back. He did not have any natural handholds they could use to assist themselves. There was an awkward pause of consideration.
Zenjesi: 0.4 Florian: 19.8, 11.9
Carry Rider: 4
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Post by Zenjesi on Aug 25, 2024 14:57:23 GMT -6
The theory had to be tested somehow. Zenjesi hefted themselves sideways over his back. They were hinged at the waist over his spine. To their read of the situation, Florian did not so much as shift his weight as theirs was added. That was promising. He certainly did not buckle beneath them. He also did not seem to understand the intent. Before the satyr had the opportunity to shift themselves into a more traditional riding position, he seated himself, planting his hind half on the ground. Zenjesi slid down his back and onto the grass unceremoniously.
Florian's head turned back towards them, and he surveyed as they clambered off of his tail and back to their hooves. He seemed to believe that he assisted them by doing this. The satyr sighed, patting him on the back. "Thank you, Florian. That was incorrect." But it did seem he was strong enough to bear their weight.
Zenjesi: 0.5 Florian: 20.0, 12.0
Carry Rider: 5
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 5, 2024 21:17:28 GMT -6
Taking a few steps away from him, Zenjesi beckoned Florian to come, and then stay, which resulted in him resuming a proper standing position. The bulldozer's tongue flicked out once. It was a casual gesture, not one of irritation. The satyr expected that this was likely because Florian believed they were accomplishing something. Despite the fact that one of his favorite pastimes was remaining extraordinarily stationary for long periods of time, he was quite an impatient fellow once he decided he was keen on moving.
There was no time to waste. They hoisted themselves up, once more hanging over Florian's back for an awkward moment. But in that moment he did not immediately sit, so they quickly worked on moving to the next position. One arm and one leg pulled back over his spine. They had maneuvered so that they were laying flat on their stomach across his back - all they needed to do was sit up.
Zenjesi: 0.6 Florian: 20.2, 12.1
Carry Rider: 6
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 6, 2024 9:35:02 GMT -6
But doing so required pushing down on his back with their palms. They did not realize that he would interpret this as another signal until it was too late. The Bulldozer moved to sit a second time. Zenjesi gripped a bit tighter so as not to slide off, only to find that Florian did not intend to stop at a sit. Instead, his front half lowered as well, and then, with the satyr still clinging to his back like some kind of infant marsupial, he began to roll onto his side. "Florian, no!" they implored him, but it was too late.
For the second time, Zenjesi was deposited onto the grass. The only mercy was that their arm and leg were not crushed beneath his weight. The Bulldozer rolled back onto his stomach and his head turned around once more to review the state of the satyr. Again, he did not seem to be mischievous or malicious, just somewhat confused.
Zenjesi: 0.7 Florian: 20.4, 12.2
Carry Rider: 7
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 6, 2024 10:33:28 GMT -6
Zenjesi lay there for a moment, watching Florian watch them. Over time, he had come to associate the amulet with leaving the kennel, and had eventually begun to allow Zenjesi to place it on him without complaint. However, it had taken a good deal more repetition than it would with another creature, like Spectral. A houluh could recognize a leash and come to associate it with a walk quite quickly. They did not fault Florian for this, but it did make training difficult on occasion. Perhaps repetition would be all it would require. Repetition and patience, perhaps.
Sighing, Zenjesi climbed to their hooves. Once again, they repeated the process of calling Florian forward to them, and then requesting that he stay. Perhaps teaching him the command to 'stand' would be wise; it had not been required before now, as the difference between standing and laying had been quite minor when he was young.
Zenjesi: 0.8 Florian: 20.6, 12.3
Carry Rider: 8
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 6, 2024 11:27:33 GMT -6
But perhaps they could use his impatience against him. Surely he would tire of removing them from his back before they would tire of clambering onto it. That would have to be the case, as Zenjesi did not know how else to approach this issue. Of course, they could reward him with a treat, but first he would need to allow them to stay in position long enough to do so. So the process began again. The careful jump and climb, the quick re-positioning... Each time, Zenjesi was growing a little more efficient and more confident in the movement as well, which they imagined would assist with their cause. This time, as they pushed themselves up with one hand, the other pulled forth a treat. The evidently tantalizing scent reached Florian's nose in only a moment. If he had learned anything from the last couple of iterations, it was promptly forgotten, as he turned around, lunged for the meat, and began to lay down again all at once. Zenjesi: 0.9 Florian: 20.8, 12.4 Carry Rider: 9
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Post by Zenjesi on Sept 6, 2024 12:54:43 GMT -6
That had been a poor plan, Zenjesi decided, while they extricated their hoof from beneath the Bulldozer's side. Florian was too single-minded. In his adolescence, his hunger was too strong and served perhaps more as distraction than proper motivation, in this case. But there was no way they would be able to proceed until he received the treat. So, instead, they decided to reinforce the 'catch' trick they had taught him with this scrap.
Now, they would try again, this time without any distraction. The process repeated; Zenjesi clambered onto Florian's back, and this time, much to their surprise, he did not move. Only his head swiveled around so that three eyes could observe them and their unfortunately empty hands. "You are a good boy, Florian," they whispered to him instead, patting him on the back. He grumbled. His tail swished once. Then... he fell quite still, and did not seem to know what to do with the situation. Was that it? Could it be so simple to teach him to accept them as a rider?
Zenjesi: 1.0 - logged Florian: 21.0, 12.5
Carry Rider: 10
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