| Take Nothing For Granted; 1st Draux Bonding Event | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 8 2017, 08:35 PM (1,322 Views) | |
| GothicThylacine | Sep 11 2017, 10:11 AM Post #21 |
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So much to take in. So many sizes, colors, and shapes! She could not immediately tell differences between gender yet, but she often looked at the silky manes these Draux had. Perhaps what had fooled her into thinking horse for just a moment at first. Such bizarre yet stunning creatures! Oh, she had so much to learn! Her excitement shifted into a fear that had her freeze in place when a huge Draux, who Shae assumed was the 'alpha' of sorts, perhaps like a Stallion in a herd, bared his fangs and charged. She was unsure what to do but before she could do anything, the hybrid guide was quick to defend one of her companions. Shae let out a sigh of relief. Wow, behavior like herbivores but teeth akin to a carnivore or at least an omnivore! Before she could ponder on that, something else happened. A smaller Draux with stunning colors of Sunset approached now. Dainty and cautious, it made its way around them and finally began to approach Merida and Daijon. She watched fascinated as it nuzzled at his weaponry and gently nipped at him. Not in a bad biting way! More like a curious way with its lips. Again like a playful horse. Stop thinking about horses! she hissed at herself internally. She watched still as it seemed as if the Draux had taken a real liking to Daijon. Oh! Was a bond forged? She was still unclear on the bonding of Dires and Dragons so this was even more foreign. But it sure as hell seemed to be what was happening. She felt excited for the young man and wanted to say congratulations, but she had to hold her tongue for now until this was over. She did not want to anger the bull again, and more so, she wanted to see if a bond meant for her was to happen tonight. Edited by GothicThylacine, Sep 12 2017, 12:31 AM.
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| Nherva | Sep 11 2017, 02:24 PM Post #22 |
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Lurker Queen
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In spite of his attempts to remain low and non-threatening, Takoda could hear the Paladin draux cry of rage. He knew similar sounds. It was a cry meant to strike fear into the hearts of those that dared tread upon that ground. Takoda knew little of draux, but he knew they weren't predators by nature. Even so, he'd seen many a horse and dicorn bludgeon intruders to death with their sharp and heavy hooves. Draux didn't have hooves, but they had claws all the same. He looked up just in time to see the big red Paladin come barreling at him. Reacting in an instant, as he'd prepared for just such a display, Takoda was up on his feet again, ready to dodge the charge. But as the Paladin came within range, eyes wild with rage and claws reared up to slash, the big armored hybrid appeared. Muscles rippling with power, the larger humanoid grappled the draux about his throat and the terrible cry was choked off. "Don't hurt him!" Takoda cried suddenly, an instinctual urge rising to the surface. He was in their territory. To have the draux hurt because of his mistake or ineptitude would have been awful. Though, it seemed the big hybrid never intended to hurt the draux. Merely, the Paladin was put in his place and he trotted off angrily. Koda was glad that the hybrid hadn't made any other moves to harm or otherwise taunt the draux. "Thank you..." Takoda whispered, though it would be up to Rhek if it was taken as a thank you for his well being or for the well being of the draux. Koda righted himself, giving the side-eye to the hybrid. He'd never seen his like before. He'd heard there were hybrids that sometimes appeared at the Academy, but if he'd met one, Takoda wasn't sure. He certainly hadn't met one like this. Taking his attention off of the hybrid, Koda looked about and noticed a smaller individual beginning to take some interest in one of the others. Was that a bond being made perhaps? The draux in question was a beautiful pattern of gradiented gold, magenta, and deep violet that reminded Koda of a sunset. He recalled having seen a similarly hued Celestial at the Academy, though the draux's colors were much more muted and lacked the golden stars Ekhi boasted. Keeping an eye on the Paladin that had come at him, just in case he decided to try again, Koda kept somewhat close to Rhek. This time he remained standing, but warily watched what was left of the herd as they milled about, inspecting their visitors. One seemed to ghost behind him and it took all of Koda's resolve not to make a sudden movement to look at the creature. He turned slowly, but when he did so, the draux that had been behind him was simply sauntering away as if it hadn't been inspecting him at all. He watched the creature go, wondering if he'd just imagined the sniff in his direction. |
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| Mythborn | Sep 11 2017, 06:00 PM Post #23 |
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Daijon's eyes followed the creatures that bolted. It was like trying to walk into a herd of antelope on the plains. It took patience and timing and it really worked better if it was one individual alone, rather than the group that walked with him now. Still, after this second group of deserters, no others fled. The hunter rolled his shoulders, trying to keep his eyes on every shifting shadow at once, though he kept his movements slow. Sudden movements were a sure way to spook more of them, if they were anything like the herd animals he was used to. The animal that had seemed most offended by their presence at their initial approach had apparently had enough. It bellowed, a sound that Daijon could feel in his chest, baring fangs that looked strange on a creature that seemed meant for grazing. Scarlet and angry, it tore at one of the other humans in the group, one Daijon did not know. While some of the others flinched or froze, and the one that was being charged started to dodge it, Daijon kept his breathing even, and watched the creature come, despite his suddenly racing heart. Dodging so early was foolhardy; it gave the attacker a chance to correct its path. Better to move at the last moment, when the more massive creature would have less of a chance to react. The more draconic of their two guides caught the charging beast by the throat, strangling its cry. Daijon was impressed, he knew the move must take a considerable amount of strength, more than any human could have brought to bear. The young hunter suppressed the urge to glare at the attacker's would-be victim when the young man cried out. Was he trying to startle the herd? The great hybrid seemed to have no intention of hurting the creature, however, and let it slink away to paw at the edges of the herd. Daijon was glad the hybrid was there to instill caution in the dangerous creatures, and he again wondered if he would regret answering the summons that had so piqued his curiosity. A patter of light steps in the near silent dawn caught his attention, and he shifted himself and his gaze to find their owner. This one was smaller, curious and nervous, not angry as the larger one had been. Daijon stared as she sniffed at the large hybrid (he wasn't sure why he thought of the creature as female, only that he was sure it was female), and then skittered away. She was fast, delicate, beautiful. Gold and orange faded to pink and dark purple on her wings, back and shoulders. A mane of dark fur flowed down her back, and she had long, expressive ears. He couldn't take his eyes off her, and if the others reacted to her presence, Daijon didn't notice. He went still as she circled behind himself and Nerida, and flinched only a little when the same creature that had charged them before cried out. He heard her snort, and sniff at him, and he turned slowly to face her again. She was relaxing somewhat, her body language easing and her ears coming up. She was a little taller than he, and pushed gently at his shoulder. The gesture made him smile, an expression that was almost more in his eyes than his mouth, and certainly didn't show any teeth. Animals were not bound by the same restrictions of greeting that humans were. "Avatre." The word was a whisper as he raised a hand slowly to place it against the warm, smooth skin of her muzzle. Her ears flicked curiously at him, but she didn't shy from his touch. She did startle a soft laugh from him when she lipped at his hair, but she didn't hurt him and he shifted his hand to rub gently at her neck. Skittish she might be with others, but not with him. |
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| CloakAndDagger | Sep 11 2017, 06:54 PM Post #24 |
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Roll To Equip Butter
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There was something so disarming about these creatures. The hybrids themselves were worlds away from anything any human could call normalcy, but these draux were right on the tip of the tongue -- familiar. Their bodies, claws and wings and shapes so similar, but the parallels of horse and dragon and dire put them at an uncanny crossroads that made everything that could have once been ordinary into almost an alien discord. Yet, here they were. Moving, and very much alive. Very much real. Although, the reaching dawn, with her rosy fingers, cast them in such an otherworldly light. All that was dark and dim, the grasses, the shades and shadows, was turning to gold. There were those, though, who would not be illuminated so easily. A draux, youth still teasing out size and shape, seemed to hover at the edges of the clearing. Half crouched, perhaps ready to spring, its body was much smaller than the paladin, but overshadowing of the first to bond. It was still and, as it seemed to fade in and out of the tall grasses, its eyes stayed still. Firmly, unwinding every detail, it kept its dark stare on the humans and, by the nature of the paladin’s rebuff, the Qih-nzah too. For a moment, it seemed to paw forward, but then it quickly turned back into the shifting. expanse of the grasses. Seconds ticked by and the sounds of gentle snorting from the rest of the herd alternated between overwhelming pressure and implosive silence. Every breath seemed to shake the space among them. And then, another breath did away with the gap entirely. The larger draux had come around, through the edge of the clearing beyond the grasses and had padded on the footprints of the interlopers. This one was so muted in colors, she appeared almost only black and white. Her feet were dark, but lightened up to her hips and shoulders. Her tail was ringed in bands of dark gray, and her face was a pattern of lightness over her mouth, cheeks, eyes, and ears. For a time, it seemed to press it’s flaring nostrils to any solid, unfamiliar surface, but it didn’t take long to be there -- right there -- behind Koda. Hot air breathed down his neck as a single blue eye turned to look him straight in the face. The creature, looking him over, took him in. She chuffed mildly. Then, she bugled a loud boast, and began to search for pockets and crumbs and distant smells of things to come. Becoming comfortable quickly, her ears flicked forward and she stood unknowingly on one of his feet. Maybe not so alien after all. Warrior (Female) Forthright, Persistent, Vocal Takoda, 24, Male (Nherva)
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| Nherva | Sep 11 2017, 08:22 PM Post #25 |
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Lurker Queen
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He was too focused on the draux that walked behind him and continued on, that he missed something important. Koda glanced at the hybrid nearby and back at the sunset hued draux that sniffed around Daijon. He heard some grass whisper and crunch behind him and he moved to turn, but froze in place as a huff of warm air brushed through his straight raven hair and through to the back of his neck. His heart thudded in his chest and he turned very slowly so as not to startle or spook the beast behind him. Dark eyes met blue orbs set within a blocky grey-silver face. The draux chuffed at him, poked the strap on his shoulder with her soft nose, then nearly deafened him with her bugle. This time he couldn't stop himself from jumping as she startled him. His ear was ringing from her bleat and he turned fully toward her. "Hey, that wasn't really necessary, I'm right here." He rubbed his ear. The female--he was fairly certain given her lack of certain...features--seemed to ignore his discomfort. She was not interested in his front. She stepped forward, right onto his foot and hooked her chin around his back to nibble at his pack. There was food in there. She could smell it. Fruit of some kind, both dried and fresh. She wanted it, and he had it. "That's...what are you doing?" He tried to turn, but she nipped outward, her sharp, rind-cutting fangs grabbing the strap of his backpack and yanking it from his shoulder as he attempted to turn away from her. She was heavy. His foot bones protested painfully to her foot on top of his and the momentary lapse in his brain function was enough time for her to steal away with his supplies entirely. With the pack in her mouth, she lowered it to the ground and finally moved off of his foot. He exhaled sharply a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding so he wouldn't shout and startle her. "Hey! That's mine," he said, bending down to take the pack from her. The silver-grey Warrior shouldered him insistently out of her way as she tried to make her way into the pack. Her teeth ripped a buckle or two and that was all it took. For a creature of her size and strength the pack had little defense. The scent of a fresh apple wafted past and she looked up at Koda, her jaw working diligently on the fruit. With a look of complete confusion on his face, Koda just sat back on his heels and shook his head. "I guess I'm not getting it back now am I?" The draux swallowed and made a much quieter rumbling bleat of satisfaction, showing her teeth as if to say 'I win.' There was an unfamiliar sensation in Koda's mind, a foreign thought like the twinge of excitement one could feel sometimes but could not explain. Unlike the Paladin, there was no rage in this Warrior--at least not toward him. She was comfortable around him, and for the first time in years Koda felt something akin to immediate friendship. This was not a horse nor a dragon that did not belong to him. She lowered her head to the remnants of his satchel again and this time tore open his pouch of dried fruits and nuts. "I...guess you can have those. I wasn't going to eat them anyway." He knew within a few passing moments that this draux--without anyone having to tell him--had chosen him, out of the whole lot. It wasn't just because of the food in his pack. She finished that off quickly, then continued to explore her strange new companion, ruffling his hair with her breath, tasting his hair (which she didn't find appetizing in the least), and nearly knocking him over while she searched for pockets with more goodies. She stayed by his side when she could have gone off and explored the others. After a while, Koda swore he could almost feel her curiosity and adoration, an alien feeling in his own mind. "I guess I should figure out what to call you," he reached up, holding his hand a ways from her head so she could avoid his touch if she wished. "Unless you have a name. If you do, you'll have to tell me." Not that he would know how to pronounce any name her kind might have given her. The draux female pushed her head against his fingers and it was all he could do not to shed tears held back by years of loneliness and heartbreak. He had been chosen after all. |
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| Semp | Sep 11 2017, 08:32 PM Post #26 |
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Majestic Space Duck
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The sun glinted warmly over the horizon. As it began it’s celestial climb across a foreign blue sky, warmth spread over the peaceful landscape. The temperature was still cool, but it would not likely be for long. As the morning progressed, a small piece of the blinding star seemed to break away and slip into the grassland. It stalked quietly through the grass at no fast pace. Meters-tall fronds bent and swayed with the gentle wind, and the creature seemed to time the organic beat with it’s own tempo. It had been among the first to bolt at the first sign of danger, but something brought it back. Curiosity, maybe? That didn’t often end well. Gilded in gold, it moved like silk. It was odd for such a burly, low-slung creature to move with the grace of a cat. Heavy feet hardly made a sound as it skirted quietly around the group in a low crouch. A soft, striped muzzle parted the edge of the clearing, sniffing quietly. A pair of soft olive green eyes soon followed. The creature’s wary gaze regarded the huge flung Paladin, the Qih-nzak, and then the smaller humans with little outward aggression. The young Draux stayed still for a moment. It’s attention drifted toward one target in particular. The muzzle disappeared back into the grass. Thick footpads sent minute vibrations through the ground. It was too soft for human ears and feet to register, but the same was not true of the attentive Qih-nzak. An Earth Crhe among the entourage closed his eyes to follow the Draux’s approach. A few moments later, a wiggling movement behind them sent a playful rumble up through the soles of his feet. Amusement picked up a corner of his mouth. A Bull Draux exploded out of the tall grass with an enormous spring. He bowled into Myrna, forepaws outstretched, and pushed her into the soft earth. He bugled as she dropped beneath his weight, trumpeted his success. While he was not as large as the Paladin his weight probably wouldn’t feel too gentle, even if he wasn’t attempting to hurt the girl. His neck extended down toward Myrna, nostrils flaring noisily. His breath plumed into thick puffs against her skin in the cool morning air. He sniffed. Apparently liking what he sensed, the Bull’s ears swiveled forward. He trumpeted again, softer this time, and began to root around her person for something edible. Bull (Male) Intelligent, Playful, Headstrong Myrna, 19, Female (Kya)
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| Kyariel | Sep 11 2017, 09:10 PM Post #27 |
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Myrna watching things...before a shock Myrna had slowly edged her vision up so she wasn't looking through her hair at the surrounding entities. In enough time to see an absolutely adorable looking creature seem to choose one of the boys. As a result she had been interested and focused on others when she really should have been watching her own backside. Though the reason for why she should have been wary was not noted till he'd suddenly and abruptly flattened her into the dirt and trampled grasses. So swiftly in fact she barely yelped out before her face was in the dark. Though when the huge feeling creature started rooting in her pockets she was able to at least get part of her upperhalf off the soft earth "d'you mind?". Her tone was more a wheezed out chuckle than annoyed though, she felt he wasn't trying to hurt her after all. Though that might also be bleed over from the creature as his whuffling in her pockets became excited with the discovery of her afternoon rations of dried fruit and seeds. Unlike Koda she at least didn't lose her pocket, just got its opening slightly stretched and the stitches holding it to her tunic loosened. When he moved off her finally she rolled over and dug her hands in the other pocket "here, got pumpkin seeds in the other pocket if you're still hungry; Kiron?". The stripe-bedecked entity tilted his angular head at the name asked so questioningly. Before a warm playful...hug feeling enclosed her mind again. Causing Myrna to blink then smile "Faen and my parents are gonna love meeting you Kiron". Once more the stocky young bull bugled softly before gently lipping the new seed offering out of his new bonded's hand. Followed by his curiously lipping and snuffling her tunic, particularly where her raven had perched. Causing another laugh "oh you must be smelling Kormac, you'll meet him soon enough...I think?". As she ended off her comment she looked queryingly at the hybrids wondering if one of them would explain when they'd be going home. Since they didn't mean the humans any harm as they'd explained in their own way before the event got going. |
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| Mythborn | Sep 11 2017, 09:43 PM Post #28 |
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There was something, a tickling at his mind, something he had never felt before. Curiosity that was not his own, mixed with a nervous energy. The lovely creature butted her soft head into his chest, and Daijon laughed again. So focused on her was he that he didn't notice the second being approach another of their number until it bugled. Daijon and his new friend flinched in concert, equally startled, and Daijon finally looked away from her to check his surroundings. He was angry with himself for being so distracted, even if it was by the prettiest...his thought failed when he realized he still didn't know what the creatures were called. Perhaps he could ask one of the hybrids, or Shae. Nerida, he knew, had no more words for them than he did. The new beast, gray and black where his pretty friend was colorful, seemed intent on tearing apart the pack of the one the big male had charged earlier on. He paused and looked back at the beast as she pulled away from his hand, the skittishness that was tickling his mind getting stronger. "I'm not angry with you, beauty," he reassured her softly in his own language, though he couldn't have said why he thought that was why she was nervous again. "I should have been paying better attention. I was taught better." She stepped forward again and snuffled at his belt. He had seen what the gray one was after in the other man's pack, and smiled at her. He kept fruit and meat strips in a pouch at his belt. It wouldn't be more than a snack for a creature her size, but he pulled them out and offered them to her on his palms. She snorted disdainfully at the jerky strips but lipped the fruit carefully from the other hand. Understanding, he tucked the meat away again. Apparently his new friend was not a carnivore. That only made the fangs he knew hid behind her lips seem more odd. A third creature, bigger than either of the first two, bowled over yet another of the humans, the girl that Daijon didn't know this time. He was golden and striped, a handsome fellow, and his new friend seemed to take his rough handling well. Something like a laugh shifted past the edges of his mind, and the dark lady at his back hooked her head over his shoulder to watch the newcomers with him. That only left Nerida, and Shae. He wondered if they would find new friends, bonds, partners--Daijon was unsure of the proper term to use--among this herd of odd creatures, too. |
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| GothicThylacine | Sep 11 2017, 09:59 PM Post #29 |
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Things were happening fast. As she marveled over the stunning creature that had chosen her first friend of the Academy, a eye catching creature of silver appeared and seemed to choose the lad who was almost charged by the dominant male just a bit ago. They were very different creatures but both were breathtaking and beautiful. Shae was actually a little surprised with how taken she was with these beasts. They seemed like unicorns or fairies. A once unobtainable fable, yet here they were. A third appeared...very suddenly. Barreling forward to a girl whom Shae had not formally met. At first, she feared it may be an attack but it quickly became clear the playful antics meant no harm. This one looked wild and was striped like a big feline and just as eye catching as the rest. It seemed the herd was warming to them at least! She looked around hopefully. Still hoping there was a match here for her. Inside her, there was a kernel of worry. What if none of these creatures wanted to bond to her? Sure she had come and signed up for Dire or maybe even dragon but now, looking at the Draux, she felt strongly that this was the bond she wanted. Shae tried to question why? What was it about this sudden and mind bending event that suddenly had such a hold on her? What was it about these creatures that charmed her so? Maybe it was that she was just a girl from a horse ranch that was now working at the Academy and suddenly was here in the presence of creatures and beings only whispered about. Oh she hoped this was not a dream. She watched the three new bonds and still looked up now and again at the herd members around them. If she was not chosen, what then? She was not fearful of that, but she was hit with the realization that she would not be quite as interested in dires quite as much. Which she knew was unfair. They were wonderful creatures but she had a feeling now looking at the Draux, that dires were not for her. |
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| Kitsu | Sep 12 2017, 09:47 PM Post #30 |
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Nerida could see the herd was uneasy around them. Most uneasy of the creatures was one the shade of blood. It bellowed a challenge at them before charging at one of the others that had crouched on the ground. Before it could make contact with him one of the dragon people intervened. They grabbed the creature by the neck. The creature stumbled back before returning to the herd. The entire herd quieted down after that. Soft footsteps drew Nerida's attention away from the crimson creature. A smaller of the not-dragons painted in the colors of the setting sun carefully approached. They first investigated the dragon person before heading in their direction. Nerida kept still as it circled around behind them. They did not move when the crimson not-dragon let out a cry that startled the one behind them. It sniffed at them before turning their attention to Daijon. Nerida could not hide their smile as the creature relaxed around their friend. It nudged at his shoulder before nibbling on various parts of him. The creature did not turn from his touch. Nerida let their friend have their time with the creature. They were still not sure what they were all here for but as one by one others were 'chosen' by other not-dragons they understood this was a bonding. After the sunset creature came one who drifted in shadows. It chose to go to the one who had been charged by the crimson one. After one of the girls in the group was set upon one who was as bright as the sun with stripes across its body. Happiness for what was going on bubbled up in them. They felt a need to welcome these new pairs. It began as a light humming as they looked over Daijon and the sunset not-dragon. It was a wordless song of welcome and calm. It was a song of the sea that spread out from Nerida. For a few moments it stayed as a hum before they softly began to sing it. They hoped the creatures would be welcomed and calmed by the sounds. |
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