Ramal
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Posts: 110
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Post by Ramal on Dec 11, 2023 3:59:35 GMT -6
At one far corner of the public park, there is an area roped off by a collection of mismatched fence posts tied together with rope. There is only one break in the haphazard fence, and it is accompanied by a hastily painted wooden sign. Welcome to the Community Park!A well worn but overgrown path winds through the property, leading one through the various features of the premises. From this path, visitors can see all of the key features of the area. A few more faded old signs are posted here and there as guidance, but they can be difficult to make out. There is an outdoor rest area with picnic tables, benches, and some large, shady trees. The furniture here is in a sad state of disrepair with most of the wood benches and tables rotting away or smashed by falling tree limbs. The weeds here grow higher than the rubbish bins, and many critters have built and abandoned various nesting sites over the years. Beyond that, there is a large but barren gardening area. It’s clear that at some point, someone set up a greenhouse and raised garden beds here, but without anyone to look after them, the plants have shriveled up and given way to weeds. The greenhouse has many smashed window panes, and though someone has cleaned up most of the glass, the greenhouse itself is merely filled with mud. A basket sits propped up against the greenhouse for sharing tools, but it is merely filled with a broken rake and unpaired gloves. At the furthest corner of the fenced off area, there is an old inground pool. The stagnant green water is full of frogs, leaves, and trash blowing in from the rest of the park. Gaps in the fence around the pool have been repaired with whatever materials were laying around. Every meter or so along the fence, there is a freshly printed warning sign about not using the pool as it is unsafe.
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Ramal
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Post by Ramal on Dec 11, 2023 3:59:45 GMT -6
Beside the garden and before the pool, there is an old but solid brick building. Despite the state of the grounds, the building seems to have held up well. A plaque on the door welcomes visitors, and no matter what time of day it is, there is always a light on inside.
The front door opens into a foyer where guests are welcome to store their shoes, coats, and bags. Stained sepia photos and dusty old plaques tell of a time not so long ago when the building and its park were treasured by the community.
Through the foyer is the largest room, the lounge area. While it is clean, the place feels suspiciously empty. All that is left of the furniture is a couple of bookcases missing a shelf or two and some wooden chairs. Anything made of fabric such as couches or cushions has been removed. The bare wood floor is scratched, chipped, and stained. A fireplace at the back is boarded up, unavailable for use until it is repaired.
Down one hallway there are four doors in two sets of two. Three of them are empty except for a single chair and small desk for quiet study. The third is much the same, except the table is filled with paperwork and there is a wardrobe hastily shoved into one corner. No rules restrict the use of this room, though most people avoid it as it is clearly being used by someone.
Another path leads into a kitchen and dining room. The dining room is lit brilliantly by a picture window. There are a few folding chairs leaned against the wall, and a half dozen small tables of different heights pushed together in the center. The kitchen is empty except for countertops, a sink, and some cupboards. All of the fixtures for proper equipment are there, but where one might expect appliances, there are only empty squares of clean tiles. Likewise, the walk-in pantry is barren save for the spiderwebs.
The other rooms are simply… empty. Whatever they were once used for is a mystery.
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Ramal
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Posts: 110
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Post by Ramal on Dec 11, 2023 4:00:40 GMT -6
In the foyer, there is a bulletin board with new information posted to it frequently. Anyone who is new here is encouraged to take a look.
(OOC) Rules:
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Post by Flare on Dec 17, 2023 13:37:14 GMT -6
[CLOSED - Contest prepwork in the barren garden]
Interesting. Flare hasn't done much interaction in the city during the cold months, or really at all. Occasionally his hermitic self will come out for an occasional contest but apart from that, he keeps to himself. The newspaper is his sole attempt to keep in touch with the world. The length of paper is propped against a terracotta pot as he reads, holding a mortar and pestle to grind down some dried up berries from dead plants to fertilize his bonsai before the long winter sleep. The earth beneath his feet is chilly enough to wear moccasins. Theres a new park opening up on the few streets down. He'd like to take a look. Also, another contest on the horizon. One more geared towards winter. Did he have anything 'wintery'? Turns out yes, he did, as Flare looks up over his workstation to see the herd of baakir grazing, landing on Baridi, the taiga he'd been towing around. Baridi is perfectly happy to leave the herd to stretch her legs on something that isn't squishy beneath her hooves, letting the tailed one lead on. The park is...in disrepair to put it kindly. But the garden beds would be enough for what he wants to do. What is it? Why else would he be carrying a saddle in his arms, wrapped in a thick blanket. Start tack up x.20
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Post by Flare on Dec 17, 2023 13:45:19 GMT -6
'Whomever owns this, I should extend my skills as a service.' Flare considers to himself. The beds are barren, overgrown with weeds. He's not sure if the raised beds have a sound structure to climb on them, but Baridi's tall enough for him to need to stand on something, even if he's moderately tall himself. Lisan is still taller then the young adult taiga. Her head dips, sniffing at the weedy garden to take an experimental nibble. Mmm mmlem mmm... eh. Its tasteless. But a bit of cud to chew in the corner of her cheek while the tailed one has dropped the leading and unwraps the smelly item he's been carrying. The male has a thick stinky item, and its nothing she's ever seen. He's never trained a creature to carry him, or carry anything on their back. Her arched spine makes it unusual on where he could even start placing the item. Probably its built for a more 'horsey' sort of creature. He wasn't sure, should've asked when purchasing the tack. Its a beautiful finish, with leaves and studded in gold and silver. A noble's tack? So what he would start with then... would be the blanket. Just getting used to throwing something over her back. x.20
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Post by Flare on Dec 18, 2023 4:43:48 GMT -6
But before he starts putting anything on the baakir's back, as he knows she's a flightier beast, the rope needs to have a range. How far can she dance away from this without running completely away. Putting the blanket aside, Flare looks for some sort of spike he can drive into the ground. Its something he's seen done back in the core when he was back in Tumai; dogs and horses staked into the ground to hold them there. The baakir might listen to him but her lack of manners would make this difficult. Ah, a glint among the broken tools. The bucket is a sad state of what he assumed to be shared tools for doing gardening. The handle is splintered, broken. But the tines, although rusted, should be enough. Yes, a smart idea, tethering a creature larger then him with a rake's corpse. The knot to hold the rope on is as strong as he can tie (which may or may not hold), before burying it deep in the planter box. With the occasional tugs on her head-rope, Baridi glances at the tailed one's action. What 'is' he doing. Finally done, he picks up the blanket, and brings it over to her for the initial reaction. Smell. Putting it over himself to get his own scent on it to make it more familiar in scent. Oh, it really does smell. Ick. x.20
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Post by Flare on Dec 18, 2023 23:34:06 GMT -6
If he had more luxury of time, he would be leaving the blanket in the pasture where the herd grazed, getting them all used to the smell of the blanket he intends to bed the saddle with upon her back. Give them more time to come interact with the blanket. Because Baridi is a flighty beast and he's not stupid enough to take her by deliberate surprise. He's not the sickly disabled little boy anymore. The blanket comes free of his shoulders, falling back into a pile on the ground as he pulls his tail free of the pile. Just...leaving it there while he goes to busy himself doing 'something else', within eyeshot of the blanket. The fluffy white grazer follows his mismatched feet across the space before he's outside of her line of sight without turning her head. He's done stranger, that tailed one. The pile of ...what is that. She is curious...and pauses in the lackluster browsing of weeds. The grass in the other space tasted better. Now what is this indeed. The smell is offputting but it has the scent of him. Hm. Nosing the blanket some, its not doing much. Just...dead. x.20
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Post by Flare on Dec 19, 2023 6:08:45 GMT -6
Nibbling the blanket is the wrong thing to do. Baridi spits out the offending item, even the small wad of weedy cud in the back of her cheek, standing to her full height in refusing. Disgusting. Planting a hoof on the obviously dead thing, she turns her tail to it and goes back to looking for more to eat, the rope rubbing annoyingly on her face. 'Well at least she didn't pee on it, like some other horse creatures might do', Flare considers to himself as the movement stops. Carefully timing his movements to pick up the blanket from behind his baakir without being kicked; she's more used to him then that but he doesn't want to test that either. Oof, just once. {Hello Baridi.} he hums softly, approaching her to the side. Her large eye glances at him, turning her head slightly from being in the plants. Hm. Hm. His calloused fingers brush against her thick fluffy winter coat. {Just me...} which is a lie. Shifting the blanket over himself, he leans against her weight. And although he's considerably lighter then her, it should apply some weight. She sidesteps and he has to catch himself by stepping forward, jamming his moccasin into the box. Ow. She's giving him a 'look'. x.20
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Post by Zenjesi on Jan 4, 2024 22:28:38 GMT -6
[OPEN] I hope you will be one of them, Ramal had said. An invitation like that, especially such a foreign one, could not be left unanswered for long. Unfortunately, actually locating the Community Park had required asking questions of many people. In retrospect, it should not have proved such a challenge, but oft times civilians either could not hear Zenjesi's whispering voice or liked to pretend they had not. They suspected both scenarios had occurred today. Finally, however, they were able to corner someone (as non-threateningly as possible), such that his best avenue for escape was appeasing Zenjesi with an answer. The answer itself proved to be quite simple. The Community Park was, as the name may have suggested, on the outskirts of the park that was often used for training purposes. Upon arrival, it was plain that the state of the property was significantly dilapidated. This raised Zenjesi's spirits; abandoned places were quiet and peaceful. Now how to find Ramal? Zenjesi: 0.1 Marian: 0.2, 0.1
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Post by Zenjesi on Jan 4, 2024 22:42:33 GMT -6
On this particular morning, they had brought a new companion: Marian, an albino Bulldozer. They were not inexperienced with Bulldozers in general, but they were with this particular individual. Their concern began approximately seven seconds into their interaction with her. The amulet had been simple to secure around her neck - she had been sleeping, and they had caught her unaware - but never had they seen such a ferocious and instantaneous reaction. Suffice to say, that had the amulet not been placed first, Zenjesi instead be arriving at the Park to inquire of Ramal where he had had his prosthetic fitted. They and the Bulldozer had shared a silent moment with Marian's jaws frozen open around the satyr's slender and quite snap-able deer-like leg. Each had assessed the situation, evaluating the other, and trying to discern best how to proceed. Florian, they knew, would have grown irritated and bored, and moved on.
Zenjesi: 0.2 Marian: 0.4, 0.2
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Post by Zenjesi on Jan 4, 2024 22:52:18 GMT -6
Lilian would have backed off, hissing. But Marian did not accept this as failure. She lunged at Zenjesi's leg again, then the other one, then even made a small leap at their lower hand. Each time, out of reflex, they flinched away from her, though they logically knew she could not make contact. They suspected this fear response only spurred her on. The growl that emerged from deep within her made the saytr's hair stand on end. She would not be a good companion in public. Or perhaps anywhere. She was feral. But now Zenjesi did not believe they could remove the amulet without facing certain death. So the only option remaining was to spend enough time with her that perhaps she would allow them to remove her perceived shackle with an ounce of gratitude. The command word hovered on the tip of their tongue as they knocked on the front door of the brick building.
Zenjesi: 0.3 Marian: 0.6, 0.3
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Ramal
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Post by Ramal on Jan 5, 2024 5:56:12 GMT -6
Ramal had not meant to fall asleep, but he couldn't help it. Too many late nights trying to keep things from completely falling apart. He really wished he had more help, but until he did, he had a lot of work to do on his own. It was hard, but for the first time in his life, he really felt strongly about making a meaningful change, even if it meant doing it by himself. His devoted Floof, Pashmina, had fallen asleep around his shoulders, draping over him like a fuzzy cloak. She liked to be close to him, and loved to snuggle up over long cold winter nights. It was the middle of the day, of course, but she didn't mind. A knock on the door jolted him awake, causing him to jump up and bang his knee on the table he was flopped over. Pashmina puffed up all of her fur and floated toward the ceiling. "Oi, shh, ok ok," he said, trying to comfort the Floof while also trying to figure out where he was and what was going on. After blinking a few times, his wits returned to him and he was able to process the situation. Someone was here! He bolted toward the door, praying that he wasn't too late to catch whoever it was. They might even be there to help. He flung the door open and tried to look natural. "Allo?" [6.5, 0.2] [OPEN - Joining Zenjesi]
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Post by Zenjesi on Jan 5, 2024 10:21:19 GMT -6
Social situations were never comfortable for Zenjesi, but they were finding that the anticipation was exponentially worse when a lethal weapon with a hair-trigger was sitting by their side. This was terrible. What if she tried to bite Ramal? What if she succeeded in biting Ramal? Or worst of all... what if someone other than Ramal came to the door to greet them? An introduction to a whole new person may be simply too much.
The door opened. The movement made Zenjesi jump and reflexively hiss out the command word: "No!" An unusual greeting, to be sure, but it did at least ensure that Marian would not act faster than they could. The Bulldozer froze with her jaws parting. Hm. Perhaps it was not too brash. They had a moment to be concerned about that before they recognized the cheery face that answered, and a small smile appeared on their own face. "Ramal, I am here," they greeted him more properly, their hands pulling up to fiddle with one another. "Zenjesi," they added after the fact. There was a brief pause, and then they gestured to the Bulldozer, who was slowly relaxing. "Marian. She is feral."
Zenjesi: 0.4 Marian: 0.8, 0.4
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Ramal
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Posts: 110
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Post by Ramal on Jan 5, 2024 20:22:11 GMT -6
It was so uncommon to receive visitors that Ramal genuinely had no idea what to expect when he opened the door. He was hoping it would be someone along to help him, though he also had no idea what they'd do if that were the case. When it turned out to be his new friend, Zenjesi, his crooked smile became wider.
"My friend!" he exclaimed. He was glad that they repeated their name, for they had forgotten it in the time since they last spoke. Ramal was not very good at remembering names at the best of times, and two at once? Impossible.
"I am glad you made it," he said. He eyed the little monster warily, but figured that Zenjesi had it under control. "And you also, Marian. Welcome to Community Park!"
Pashmina was curious about the strange circumstances, but not enough to leave the safe haven of the ceiling. She floated there like an upside down rug and watched the stranger intently. Any hint at aggression from them and she would ... do something. She hoped it wouldn't come to that.
[6.6, 0.4]
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Post by Zenjesi on Jan 6, 2024 18:17:31 GMT -6
To see Ramal's face light up upon seeing Zenjesi, any lingering doubts were immediately dispelled. They truly had made a friend. "I am also glad," they agreed, even a touch more softly than they usually spoke. Typically, maintaining a conversation felt a bit like balancing delicate glasses and trying to minimize the inevitable damage. This one felt more like cradling a baby bird and attempting to nurture it. It was a precious thing.
Due to their position, Zenjesi had not yet noticed the Floof on the ceiling. It seemed Marian had not, either; the unmoving creature was not as tantalizing as the bipedal ones around her. Zenjesi was suspecting it was going to be a bit difficult to focus on the conversation or really anything when they were watching the Bulldozer already leaning forward, nostrils working in the ssashirk's direction. They took a half-step in front of her, earning a quiet hiss. They ignored it.
"This place is decrepit," Zenjesi commented with a pleased smile. Of course, to most, that would not have the connotation it did to them. They did think the park was quite peaceful. No throngs of people or noisy chatter...
Zenjesi: 0.5 Marian: 1.0, 0.5
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