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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 2, 2024 16:22:48 GMT -6
At their side was a monstrous beast. It seemed most of theirs were, but this one was also new to them. They had visited the Blaq Labs, evidently some kind of subsidiary of the Labs proper. This Lab was in the business of managing unusual sub-species of the Labs' species. Zenjesi had inquired, provided an example or two of what they were interested in and, surely enough, the Blaq Labs had found a suitable match for them in very short order. It was strange, but Zenjesi was delighted with the outcome.
She was a Seeker. Their research told them that they were similar to Bulldozers in that their aggression tended to be prevalent and eager. They, too, possessed the asterisk next to their name with an indication that usage of an amulet of submission was wise. It was fortunate that Zenjesi tended to have a spare on hand, though perhaps now they would require another.
Zenjesi: 0.35 Lunacy: 0.4, 7.4
Spring: 2
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 2, 2024 16:44:47 GMT -6
Her carnivorous features were plain to see, primarily in her large jaws and accompanying teeth. She was well-muscled, and it was said that she was also built for high speeds and hunting, as many of their creatures were. This particular Seeker displayed an unusual trait: a thick mane of dark feathers. They bore a slightly iridescent sheen in the right light, as did her smooth skin. Her bright yellow eyes had a tendency to fixate on whatever intrigued her while her head cocked. The first time she had done so, that intent predatory gaze searching Zenjesi, they were eager to bring her home.
On their way to the kennels from the Blaq Labs, the satyr had kept her leashed, as was customary. Yet she had shown no resistance or opposition to Zenjesi along the way. She was actually unexpectedly agreeable, if a bit sleepy. Thus, on this gardening venture, they had not leashed her.
Zenjesi: 0.4 Lunacy: 0.6, 7.6
Spring: 3
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 2, 2024 17:04:55 GMT -6
That was not to say they did not have a leash on their person; they suspected others may not take too kindly to an unleashed Seeker. Yet their recent venture outside the City limits had reminded them that a leash was, quite frankly, no guarantee of control over one's beast. They flexed their hand at the thought, almost swearing they could still feel a touch of lingering warmth across their palm. An amulet of submission was a more reliable guarantee, and proper training would be the best of all.
Lunacy was a large creature. Her shoulder was even with Zenjesi's, and her head as large as the satyr's torso. She was padding alongside the satyr, her head held low. They had believed at first that she was doing so out of exhaustion, but even after a night of rest this continued. It seemed to be her preferred way to carry herself.
Zenjesi: 0.45 Lunacy: 0.8, 7.8
Spring: 4
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 2, 2024 17:23:25 GMT -6
There was something instinctively unsettling about it and the accompanying way she looked at her surroundings. It gave the impression of stalking, and a sensation of impending danger to whomever happened to be within her lingering and intense field of vision. Zenjesi did not like to assume, however. They knew their gaze had a similar effect on others.
Their plot came into view. It had been overgrown in the fall, and a tangled mess in the winter, but it was spring now. New growth was sprouting, and what had gone somewhat dormant for the colder seasons was revitalized now. It was a mass of greenery. At a glance, no individual plant was distinguishable. This would be an ordeal. But they had a specific motivation on this day. The satyr deposited their tools on the ground, looking over to their companion while they adjusted their gloves. "Do not stray far," they requested.
Zenjesi: 0.5 Lunacy: 1.0, 8.0
Spring: 5
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 5, 2024 15:26:59 GMT -6
A deep and rumbling noise emerged from the Seeker, and Zenjesi offered her a closed lip smile. They slid their tool-filled bag off of their shoulder and allowed it to clatter to the ground. The garden was such an overrun and wild place that there would be no purpose in climbing anywhere into the interior, except to create more work for themself. So they would begin on the border. The first thing would be to define precisely where that was.
At the moment, the grasses of the surrounding terrain had encroached upon their plot over time. Of course, there was an old fence that marked this boundary for humanoid reference, but the plants themselves would not abide by it. A shovel would be their first tool, then. The satyr set about digging in a trough. They would need to insert something to prevent runners from passing through. Lunacy placed her muzzle inches from the shovel and watched.
Zenjesi: 0.55 Lunacy: 1.2, 8.2
Spring: 6
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 5, 2024 15:46:01 GMT -6
This was odd. It was rare for Zenjesi to be the one to identify strange behavior, as they were typically the role model instead, but they could not fathom what she was doing. It did not seem like she stood to gain anything from that endeavor, but she seemed quite fixated on it. At the same time, the satyr was equally fixated, though on their own task of clearing the grounds. The observation of her behavior became a secondary task, and then faded from their mind altogether.
Then, quite suddenly, Lunacy pounced. Her head plunged into the earth, followed by scraping claws. Clumps of dirt flew and Zenjesi stumbled back with the shovel, looking on in bewilderment. Then the Seeker's head raised again and turned towards Zenjesi. She was chomping on a... worm. It was swallowed up in an instant and then her attention turned back down into the dirt.
Zenjesi: 0.6 Lunacy: 1.4, 8.4
Spring: 7
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Post by Elvye on Jun 5, 2024 16:43:07 GMT -6
✦![](https://hxrv2.neocities.org/MML/1_v2_crag.gif) A cold breeze rattled a rush of leaves, sounding almost like waves against the ocean's shoreline. The briskness spring air could still hold startled Elvye. Instinctively, her eyes turned back to her companion. Grand, fierce, and freshly returned from his hired trainer, the wiurn's nose had lifted; Elvye could see his muscles twitch in response to the currents. For a fearful moment, she sensed the imminent danger he may take to the air, and be all but lost to her forever.
"Come," she urged, softly, but firmly. He stood poised a long second longer, his eyes finding her before his posture changed. As she had expected, he refused to move until she drew another dried fish from her stores, presenting him with the sight of the reward for his obedience. And so, finally, he trudged along, snapping up the tossed treat as they entered the gardens.
Or, was this not the gardens? The space before her was lush with vegetation, though it hardly looked intentional. Here and there, she caught a glimpse of a simple fence tangled between the overgrowth. Perhaps it was an untended plot. Perhaps something she could—
Both she and the wiurn were suddenly startled to attention by soft thud, and a dark ridge of feathers jutting over the leaves across the plot. Embernacht's wings shot outwards, and Elvye hurried to settle him. What was that thing? And why was it out here alone?
"Embernacht, stay," she insisted, tossing another treat while she stepped forward, around the edge of the fence, toward the unidentified creature.
Elvye (1/20)
Embernacht Level 5 (1/5) | Loyalty 0 (1/5)
Spring 8
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 5, 2024 20:40:32 GMT -6
Shame though it would be to lose some of the garden's worms to the Seeker, Zenjesi found some solace in both the fact she was entertained in a safe and relatively harmless fashion and also the fact that she had discovered her own inherent reward to remaining near the satyr. "This is good," they whispered to her with a soft chuckle. She was so proud to display her catch. It was endearing. They reached out and were about to place an affectionate hand on her side when she suddenly turned. Her feathers all stood on end and a screeching roar burst from her jaws.
Zenjesi, startled, turned as well, wielding the shovel and -- It was a young woman. She did not appear immediately threatening. She was not armed. Lunacy's roar shifted into a deeper, clicking growl as she lowered her head again. Her muscles tensed. "Lunacy, no," Zenjesi hissed, holding their own breath as the Seeker hesitated... Would it be wise to activate the amulet? But then... the Seeker took one step backwards. The satyr exhaled. "Hello. This is my garden," they greeted the newcomer. Then they remembered to lower the shovel.
Zenjesi: 0.65 Lunacy: 1.6, 8.6
Spring: 9
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Post by Elvye on Jun 6, 2024 10:47:50 GMT -6
✦ Cautiously, she turned the corner—directly into the creature's path. Her entire being tensed at the magnitude of the roar, coursing through her, urging her to run. Instinct, thankfully, was immediately quelled with training. Her progress came to a dead halt, and she kept still, eyes avoiding contact with the creature's. But as her eyes moved away from the fierce eyes and bared fangs, they caught a glimpse of something distinctly unnatural. An amulet?
The creature wasn't alone.
A heavy breath lifted from her chest as the beast took a step back, and its keeper emerged from the tangle of the garden bed. Understandably startled as well, their voice was almost imperceptible after the deafening roar just moments before. Were her ears still ringing? Or was it best, perhaps, to keep quiet around the massive, black-feathered beast?
"Hello," Elvye responded, keeping her own voice down. "I didn't realize anyone was here." She offered a slight smile as the somewhat threatening shovel was lowered, and looked back toward where Embernacht waited. He had obeyed, and remained a few steps beyond sight of the strangers, but his head was turned intently in the direction of the creature. "Who is this?" she asked, gesturing to the still-agitated beast. Probably best to learn a little more before she allowed Embernacht to approach.
Elvye (2/20)
Embernacht Level 5 (2/5) | Loyalty 0 (2/5)
Spring 10
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 6, 2024 17:50:54 GMT -6
Satyr and Seeker had not been companions long enough for Zenjesi to know what to expect of her behavior. They were quite certain that they did not expect her to continue to withdraw, but so she did. She crept back behind Zenjesi, peering out from behind their other side, her head still held low while she watched the newcomer. They had become too accustomed to a Bulldozer's direct and unrelenting approach. This was more calculating.
The next words frightened Zenjesi more than any lurking, shadowy predator could. "Did not realize...?" they repeated. Their own gaze turned around. This was their plot, was it not? Had they strayed? Had they improperly laid claim to the land? Perhaps it had been reassigned. And why exactly was she whispering? Amidst all of this, it took an extra moment for them to comprehend that a question had been asked of them. Though, they did misinterpret it. "Ah, this is Zenjesi," they responded, pointing to themself. They leaned in, taking a half step closer, as it seemed this visitor was intending to be conspiratorial. "Who are you?" they whispered, even a bit more softly than usual.
Zenjesi: 0.7 Lunacy: 1.8, 8.8
Spring: 11
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Post by Elvye on Jun 7, 2024 8:46:35 GMT -6
✦ Elyve's eyes followed the movements of the creature first. Its desire to back away was reassuring, but there was still the matter of her own companion, yet to arrive. She needed to be certain that neither she nor her wiurn would be cause for aggression.
But there was something very odd about the stranger, too. They seemed to have misunderstood, and Elvye was quite certain they'd given their own name, not the creature's. She supposed that was only polite, and probably should have been her first question anyway.
"Elvyra, but you can call me Elvye," she whispered in return. She offered a nod in place of a handshake, not wanting to approach too quickly, allowing the satyr to close the gap as they saw fit. "Please, pardon my intrusion, I've never been to the gardens before." She glanced back over her shoulder. Now, her view of Embernacht was a bit too obscured for her taste. It seemed he'd shifted, though he was still in place. How much longer was he willing to maintain a command, without her presence? "I have a wiurn with me," she explained, her gaze turning again to the beast behind Zenjesi. "Is your companion friendly with others?"
Elvye (3/20)
Embernacht Level 5 (3/5) | Loyalty 0 (3/5)
Spring 12
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 7, 2024 18:50:33 GMT -6
Almost as wary as the Seeker, Zenjesi narrowed their eyes as the young woman continued. They were so accustomed to being an outsider that, despite their chronic loneliness, to be approached and addressed with no warning felt suspicious and disturbing. She introduced herself, but of course the name meant nothing to the satyr. Was it meant to? She continued, explaining herself, but this did not explain to Zenjesi why she had bothered to initiate any social contact with them. Then, realization occurred: she had not shied from the roar of a Seeker, nor from Zenjesi as they had revealed themself. Who was she?
"Wiurn?" Zenjesi repeated. They turned the word over in their mind but could not assign an image to it. No matter, they knew the answer to the next question, and answered this quite confidently. "She wears an amulet. You will be safe." They assumed, perhaps erroneously once again, that someone of her apparent caliber would understand what this implied. Of course, unbeknownst to them, they too were making assumptions about what exactly a Wiurn was. Behind them, Lunacy blinked and cocked her head.
Zenjesi: 0.75 Lunacy: 2.0, 9.0
Spring: 13
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Post by Elvye on Jun 7, 2024 21:07:03 GMT -6
✦ Zenjesi repeated the name, and Elvye felt a wash of hopelessness. Had she said it incorrectly? She'd had to sign papers for his trainer, and seen the name printed, but she was also quite certain she'd heard it aloud. Though certainly there was much she didn't know about the city, the labs, and the creatures to be found here—the one behind Zenjesi, an immediate example—she had assumed one who lived here would recognize the species. No, she was certain she was right. It must have been a different sort of question, perhaps a consideration of how the feathered beast might react. If she was going to make it here, she was going to need to stop feeling so helpless, and start pretending she fit in.
"Ah, I did notice the amulet," she began, then held her tongue. Should she ask what it did, precisely? Or was now a good time to play along? Perhaps now, until she knew Zenjesi better, it was best to leave it at that: she would be safe, and Embernacht could approach. She turned, then, and raised her voice guardedly. Not too loud so as to startle the creature, but she couldn't exactly command a wiurn with whispers. "Embernacht, come," she directed. The silence was prolonged in her mind, and she was opening her mouth to repeat the command when he finally emerged around the corner. He stopped, now in full view of the strangers, and lowered his head, flaring his wings in a grand gesture before folding them in again, though his face betrayed no hint of aggression. And, it seemed, he was content to stop there.
Elvye (4/20)
Embernacht Level 5 (4/5) | Loyalty 0 (4/5)
Spring 14
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Post by Zenjesi on Jun 9, 2024 18:12:45 GMT -6
There was a moment of silence. It seemed Elvye was considering something, but what? Did she not trust Zenjesi's handling of their Seeker? Perhaps they ought to leash her, but they were not certain how she would react to being restrained for the first time. The satyr reached one hand down, and Lunacy pressed the top of her head into their palm, still watching the newcomer. But presently, Elvye turned and summoned her own companion. A thought had a moment to occur to Zenjesi: 'Embernacht' did not sound like the name of a small, docile pet.
Then they understood. A large, lithe, draconic-like creature crawled around from behind the shrubbery. It, too, lowered its head and postured before relaxing. Zenjesi watched, wide-eyed and in some awe at the sight. This was Elvye's concept of a companion? Then a strange hissing whine shook them from their distraction, as Lunacy's feathers stood on end once more. Ah. The earlier question came to mind: was Lunacy friendly? Visions of potential blood and claws and teeth flashed in their mind. They felt the command word on their lips, and then just as quickly, the Seeker threw herself into the garden. The greenery buckled and rustled, and then it was still, and she was completely obscured from sight.
The satyr turned back to Elvye. This was an understandable reaction from Lunacy; sometimes they desired to do the same. "This is a Wiurn." It was a question and a statement all at once, though even in the whisper, perhaps Zenjesi's reverence was audible.
Zenjesi: 0.8 Lunacy: 2.2, 9.2
Spring: 15
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Post by Elvye on Jun 10, 2024 10:20:31 GMT -6
✦ Elvye's breath held behind slightly parted lips. Embernacht held his ground, but the snarling whine from Zenjesi's companion brought the world into slow motion. She wished she knew her wiurn better—his habits, his tells. Today, she'd hoped a stroll through a calm, quiet location would allow her the space to do so. She had never anticipated this.
Suddenly, the beast plunged into the thicket. Elvye's head spun to see it vanish, while her hand flew upward, hoping to halt her wirun from following. But as her head snapped back in his direction, to her surprise, he remained completely unaffected. His eyes briefly turned to follow the creature's move, but as the leaves ceased to rustle, he seemed satisfied with his victory, and his head raised to its more relaxed position. He did not further approach, but now he seemed keen to watch what Elvye and Zenjesi would do.
Nearly dizzying herself with the rapid turns, Elvye now returned her attention to Zenjesi. Their reaction startled her perhaps even more than Embernacht's had. "You've never seen one before?" she realized, looking back, again, to Embernacht. His eyes were fixed on her. "I'm sorry he frightened your companion," she apologized. "I hope they didn't trample your garden."
Elvye (5/20)
Embernacht Level 6 (0/5) | Loyalty 1 (0/5)
Spring 16
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