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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 19:55:16 GMT -6
September Post #8 As Runa picked her way through the patch of pumpkins, she contemplated what it was, exactly, that drove her to the mansion again. Something about that crystal she had found last time made her brain itch. It wasn't quite as mundane as it appeared. Perhaps not mundane at all and she paused to consider that. Goewihg ran into her, apparently also not paying attention. She stopped and peered down at the woman that she had knocked to the ground and Runa thought maybe she saw amusement dancing in her eyes. But no, that couldn't be. Goewihg was not Belladonna who had clear cut body language and, Runa suspected, was slowly learning sign language from spending time with Runa who made an effort to talk to her.
She wasn't even certain that animals like Goewihg could feel emotions - was that a sentient emotion that she was placing on an animal? Perhaps the gleam she saw in Goewihg's red eyes was a mere trick of the light. She sat up slowly, the gentle bump had not done much damage but colliding with the hard ground most likely had. Goewihg stepped back a few paces so that Runa had the space to brush herself off.
Runa: 10.5 Goewihg: 30.6 // 5.6
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 20:06:39 GMT -6
September Post #9
Runa patted the Pasha as she nudged Runa's arm again. They had resumed walking and Goewihg had been soliciting pats for the last ten or so minutes. Runa absently scratched the muzzzle of the creature and felt her nostrils flare under her hand. She was not 100% clear but she was under the impression that was a...good thing. Runa was used to animals that purred or otherwise made vibrations when they were pleased. Hot breath against her hand was a little different than what she was used to. Runa contemplated the sky again as they walked. How was it that the moon shone within the manor? Were they, perhaps, not within the manor at all any longer? Had they somehow opened a secondary door directly outside? That would be a trick to play, she thought to herself, sending trespassers from the mansion so that they could not obtain the treasures they sought that were certainly contained there. Cruel, possibly, but she could see how that would be amusing.
And once again she pondered how she did not know the being that owned this mansion nor their intent behind opening up to the public. It could be that they were simply hoping to play tricks on unsuspecting citizens who brought their pets deep into the mansion's maw.
Runa: 10.6 Goewihg: 30.8 // 5.8
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 2, 2024 20:18:05 GMT -6
September Post #10 Runa took a deep breath to settle her nerves. She was, she suspected, being slightly dramatic about the potential dangers of the mansion. Someone surely had vetted it before they just opened it to the public. It would be unethical otherwise.
Of course, she considered, it wasn't like humans were known for their ethical decision making. She looked at Goewihg contemplatively at that thought. She hadn't given a lot of consideration to how, exactly, animals like Goewihg had come into being. Her eyes traced the scales, the equine-ish general structure, and the plate on her head. There was no information given regarding creation of the creatures anywhere that she had found.
Was that on purpose?
Or perhaps she was overthinking it. Maybe it was that the scientists at the laboratory had simply captured wild Pasha-Saranes and bred them in capability to produce the animals that they had offered to the people of the labs, mostly for free. Surely nothing unscrupulous was occurring behind the scenes. The idea of genetic mutations giving rise to creatures that were specifically designed for a purpose was one that did not sit quite right with her so she sincerely hoped that was not the case.
Goewihg paused for a moment and Runa paused next to her. Perhaps the Pasha had found something?
Runa: 10.7 Goewihg: 31.0 // 6.0
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 8:55:16 GMT -6
September Post #11 After a moment of consideration, Goewihg continued on, picking her way remarkably gently through the vines. Runa followed her, keeping herself alert and aware as they moved along - cognizant that anything could happen within the mansion. They came to a spot in the area that was devoid of squash and Goewihg stopped, turning to look at Runa with eyes that were, perhaps, more intelligent than one would expect for a beast. Runa laid a hand on Goewihg's muzzle, feeling the nostrils flare in what she assumed was a snort before Goewihg pulled back and continued to walk.
Perhaps, Runa thought, it was time to start training Goewihg to carry a rider. She knew that Goewihg had a good baseline training in many skills needed to be a mount but as far as she was aware, the Pasha was not trained for a person on her back. Runa had not brought the clicker with her to the mansion but she could always try and if it failed, back off and try again later. She snapped her fingers and Goewihg stopped and craned her head back to look at Runa. Runa walked to her side and flashed her flat palm at Goewihg to command her to stay, biting her lip and wondering if now was the time.
Runa: 11.7 Goewihg: 31.2 // 6.2
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 9:55:49 GMT -6
September Post #12 Runa had been doing some (slow, incredibly painful) reading on the topic of training animals to tolerate weight on their back and she was under the impression that perhaps she had pushed Gallant too hard. Also, it was possible that Gallant was a little more temperamental than Goewihg and further possible that a proud animal who believed he should be out defending territory with his harem was a little disgruntled about the concept of being ridden.
Anyway.
Her reading had suggested that starting out by putting very little pressure on the back was the right call and had made suggestions as for how to do so. She carefully cleared the spot further of pumpkins and gourds so that there were no trip hazards directly underfoot and brushed her hands down Goewihg's back. Goewihg was far more tolerant of touching all over her body than Gallant was to begin with so she was hopeful that would make this easier. Goewihg did not move at the feeling of the hands on her back nor seem overly bothered by it. She had dropped her nose to the ground to continue sniffing.
Tentatively, Runa placed both hands on her back and, putting pressuring on them, jumped in the air, holding herself for a few moments before landing lightly on the balls of her feet. Goewihg turned to stare at her, apparently not impressed but nor did she seemed affected by the sudden movement or weight.
Runa: 11.9
Goewihg: 31.4 // 6.4 Carry Rider - 1
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 11:17:14 GMT -6
September Post #13
Runa wanted to make sure that was a valid test before moving onto the next step. She placed her hands carefully and pushed up on them, jumping so that her weight was supported on her hands. She stayed in the air for a few moments, suspended by the Pasha before she landed lightly on the ground. With the second jump, Goewihg shifted, moving forward and pawing at the ground, turning her head to stare at Runa. Runa backed off. Ok. She knew that was to be expected. Even the most tolerant of animals who were fairly immune to fear from many situations could potentially reject something like this. She moved to the front of Goewihg and stroked down her cheek as the Pasha shifted, clearly uncomfortable and a touch nervous. That was all fine. They had just started working after all.
Once the Pasha had settled suitably, Runa moved to her side again. Goewihg eyed her suspiciously but relaxed as Runa rubbed down her body, scratching along her scales and generally projecting calmness into the situation. Having a calm mind while training was an asset and it was one that Runa did not underestimate when she was working with her hot tempered animals.
Runa: 12.1 Goewihg: 31.6 // 6.6 Carry Rider - 2
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 11:28:22 GMT -6
September Post #14 Still not content with Goewihg's reactions to the light pressure she was placing on her back through jumping up and down, Runa opted to try another iteration of the same before she progressed to the more advanced training she had planned for this trip to the mansion. She would have said day but, well, she wasn't 100% convinced that they were only going to be spending one day in the mansion nor was she certain how time was passing now. The moon and stars remained but she was unclear about if the sun would even come up.
Regardless, she was not tired, so she was choosing to thing that it was probably still the same day and perhaps they had not even been in the mansion for particularly long. She rested her hands on Goewihg's back and tried jumping experimentally. She got through three jumps without movement although Goewihg had blown out a breath midway through the second one that Runa had felt under her hands and could not interpret. Probably fine though.
She patted the Pasha on her side and scratched that spot on her neck that she knew Goewihg preferred to be scratched at to let her know that she appreciated her cooperation.
Runa: 12.3 Goewihg: 31.8 // 6.8 Carry Rider - 3
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 12:27:38 GMT -6
September Post #15 Content with the progress that Goewihg had made with the light pressure on her back, Runa opted to up the ante. This was where she had started with Gallant - again, perhaps a bit too quickly considering how that process had gone. It had been a success, yes, but she suspected a less loyal animal would not have tolerated her shenanigans. Goewihg was closing in on Gallant's level of affection toward her but she was still not quite there - probably she wouldn't outright attack unless really, really offended but why push the limits.
She scratched at Goewihg's preferred scratch spot a few more times, feeling the animal lean slightly against her and relax. With that, she put her hands on Goewihg's back. As a warm up, she did a few jumps, putting the familiar pressure on her back. Goewihg did not so much as turn to look at her nor did she feel any tension. Aware that she was possibly going to be thrown, Runa braced herself as she pushed up harder and put her entire upper body over Goewihg's back.
She hit the ground with a hard thud and she glared at Goewihg who glared back. Runa got up and brushed herself off. Absolutely ridiculous.
Runa: 12.5 Goewihg: 32.0 // 7.0 Carry Rider - 4
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 12:38:06 GMT -6
September Post #16 Scowling, Runa approached Goewihg who eyed her with some trepidation but allowed her to approach. With effort, Runa forced her annoyance down and focused on calming the Pasha-Sarane and not the probable bruising on her backside. This was normal, she reminded herself. Gallant had thrown her a few times, hadn't he. If she wanted a stable full of animals that were able to be ridden, she was going to have to come to terms with being thrown a lot more times than she currently had been. And wasn't that just a super appealing idea. She exhaled and forced that thought away too.
She was going to have to try again. She tried to focus on the positives. Goewihg hadn't tried to kill her or even attack her when Runa had put her body weight on her back despite significant provocation to do just that. She hadn't run away. She had let her re-approach. All indicators that they were building a better bond. That was a good thing and it was what she focused on as she placed her hands on the Pasha.
As before, she did a few preparatory bounces. Goewihg did not move. On the fourth bounce, Runa put her upper body over the back of Goewihg. Goewihg started, taking a few steps forward and pawed at the ground but, Runa smiled, she did not buck.
Runa: 12.7 Goewihg: 32.2 // 7.2 Carry Rider - 5
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Post by Fiera Ferella on Sept 5, 2024 12:48:25 GMT -6
You find a little glass eye pushed down into the soft earth, as if someone had stepped on it, with a small toy close by.
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 12:53:23 GMT -6
September Post #17 Runa slid to the ground and glanced around the mansion apprehensively. She had been distracted by working with Goewihg, certain that she would detect danger before it was upon them. She couldn't sense anything particularly problematic now and Goewihg did not seem on edge (any more than she had been from just having someone on her back anyway) but it would probably behoove her to remain alert. It would not do to let someone (or something) catch her unawares.
She returned her attention to the Pasha Sarane who, in noticing Runa's tension, had become tense herself. Runa soothed her with a few strokes until the Pasha relaxed and then placed her hands squarely on the animal's back. A few bounces and then on the last, half her body was across the animal's back. Runa felt Goewihg shift. She wished she had some method of getting her to move but all of her commands for such a thing relied on actually being seated on the Pasha. Goewihg took a few steps forward but she did not make any move to throw Runa. She pawed the ground once and then was still.
Runa felt relief wash over her. This was excellent progress.
Runa: 12.9 Goewihg: 32.4 // 7.4 Carry Rider - 6
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 13:56:00 GMT -6
September Post #18 She was almost certain that it was time to sit astride the Pasha then. But, she eyed Goewihg. It would be best to do one more round of something she knew Goewihg could handle. At some point, they had left the spot that Runa had cleared so she had walked back over and summoned Goewihg with the hand gesture associated with come to return to her. Once Goewihg was standing on bare earth again, Runa was ready to try one more time.
This time, she did not use any warm up bounces, merely hoisted herself over the back of Goewihg who shifted her weight as she felt Runa's on her back but otherwise made no attempts to dislodge the girl. Runa sent up a thank you to whomever it was that had taught Goewihg much of her previous training because Runa was fairly certain that without it, this would not have gone as smoothly. Goewihg had blown out a breath after a moment and Runa slid down her side. She went around to Goewihg's head and scratched her face, wishing she were able to say the words of praise that she felt.
Good girl she signed, knowing that it meant little to the Pasha but unwilling to not praise the creature in some way.
Runa: 13.1 Goewihg: 32.6 // 7.6 Carry Rider - 7
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 17:03:55 GMT -6
September Post #19 Runa took a deep breath as she contemplated Goewihg. She hadn't harmed her yet, seemed unlikely she would start now. She let the breath out and then inhaled again. She could do this. She scratched the Pasha's neck a few times to settle her nerves and calm Goewihg. She had been looking forward to this day since she had encountered the beautiful girl. She took a deep breath and placed both hands on her back.
She hoisted her upper body over the back of the creature, allowing her feet to dangle for a few moments. Goewihg exhaled (snorted, possibly though Runa couldn't see her nostrils to confirm) and in that moment, Runa swung her leg over Goewihg's back and sat astride the Pasha Sarane.
For a moment anyway, Goewihg jumped sideways at the feeling of Runa on her back, rearing slightly and this was enough to cause Runa to lose her seat. It wasn't the first time she'd been thrown - there had been plenty of green broke Baakirs and Equillions in the stables she'd worked in that had thrown her but it was the first time she'd ever landed on a pumpkin. She took a moment to contemplate the sky (and her life choices) before she stood up and brushed herself off.
Runa: 13.3 Goewihg: 32.8 // 7.8 Carry Rider - 8
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 18:12:43 GMT -6
September Post #20 She was definitely going to be liming for awhile after this, she thought ruefully as she took a few steps toward Goewihg who, to her credit, did allow her to approach without attempting to run away. She took a deep breath and made eye contact with the Pasha, hoping that she was conveying an appropriately confident and calm demeanor. She patted Goewihg on the head when she got to her and scratched under her chin before she moved to the left side.
Here goes nothing, she thought.
She hoisted her upper body over the back of Goewihg who, an old hat at this particular move, did not move or even seem bothered. Runa exhaled again and then swung a leg over, sitting up straight on the back of the Pasha Sarane. It was a good thing she'd been riding for awhile because her purchase on the scales of the animal was not particularly good. Perhaps that was why she had been so easily dumped.
She didn't have much time to consider because Goewihg had leapt forward. Runa managed to say seated and she leaned forward, running her fingers down the neck of the jumpy creature. Goewihg turned her head and her red eyes fell on Runa and, to Runa's surprise, she began to relax.
Runa: 13.6 Goewihg: 33.0 // 8.0 Carry Rider - 9
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Post by Runa Deadear on Sept 5, 2024 18:31:48 GMT -6
September Post #21 Runa hardly dared to breathe. Goewihg shifted a few times and then took a few experimental steps and then stopped, craning her head back to look at Runa again. Runa had to assume she was wondering what had possibly possessed Runa to crawl back there and sit astride her. She knew that Pashas were intended to be mounts but clearly no one had ever told Goewihg.
Goewihg took a few more steps and then looked back again, as if to reassure herself that no, there really was a humanish thing sitting on her back like that. Riding on Goewihg was incredible. Once they were out of this mansion, Runa was going to take her to the park and see how fast they could go.
Probably, she should have a saddle for that though. The scales weren't making for easy sitting. Ruefully, she slid off the back of the Pasha and stroked her neck. She was confident that Goewihg would tolerate a rider. She would have to keep working with her in order to ride her proper and she certainly did want to have a saddle before she crawled up there for any extended period of time, but Runa was thrilled with the progress that they had made so far.
Runa: 13.9 Goewihg: 33.2 // 8.2 Carry Rider - 10
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