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Post by DodoDestroyer on Mar 27, 2018 17:37:44 GMT
Avorn holds back his rage when Alik orders the two beasts back, backed up with soothing reassurance from his master's song. The leviathan moves a fair distance between he and Tiala with a snake-like slither to his movements, rejoining Ares. The bard mounts their beast's back and wraps an arm round one of the electrode crystals, twirling the bow between their fingers as they watch their opponents carefully. Ares does not understand why they made a move to kill, they are not sure if they even want to... but their concerns grow that Avorn could find themselves in the same danger should they lose. It's an emotion Avorn can sense and it's his turn to reassure. He will do everything to not lose this. The audience probably wonder why the two still do not merge into one, or even as a semi. The more experienced tamers can easily tell that this talent is something Ares and Avorn have yet to master. Their bond is still young and while their companionship is of admirable strength, training is still needed.
Once Alik shouts for the match to continue, it seems their arachnid opponent seeks to catch them off guard. She leaps and clings onto his neck, seeking to find a soft spot to penetrate with those deadly fangs, legs scratch his less armoured parts and create gashes of crimson. Avorn struggles and thrashes for a second before hearing a few strings of the violin in an urgent order to go on the defensive. He curls his neck in and protects the thin hide of his throat, Tiala's spear like legs and fangs just slide across his hard shell on the back of his neck. It proves ineffective as long as he remains this way and the arachnid does not possess the strength Hammer had, so forcefully uncurling him out is a useless endeavour. The electrodes charge as Ares plays an energetic piece, readying their counter. Tiala and her assault blinds her from this build up until it is much too late. Avorn releases a sudden stun shock to daze his opponent. She spasms as the currents jolts through her many legs and concluding in the abdomen. It's painful and it causes pause. The leviathan surrenders to the rhythm of the song and obeys it's instructions. He uncurls that flexible, well toned neck and twists at an impossible angle for normal beasts and catches Tiala by one of her legs. Brute force and speeds combine into a downward slam of his catch, momentum hits the defenceless spider like a sledgehammer and shakes the ground violently.
She seems to push past the damage this devastating attack caused. Ares watches closely as the spider gets back up. This is a smart one and will not attempt a direct assault like that again.. The bard is right to assume as webs shoot out and wrap around Avorn's massive tail. Contact feels like a burn of acid, then a series of prickly needles as it begins to numb his most powerful weapon down. The leviathan roars at her in defiance and tries to whip them apart, but they are like cables of steel and not so easily removed. Tiala seeks to immobilise him by tying the tail down to the earth and put him at a massive disadvantage, this becomes clear to Avorn when pointed out through the strings of the violin. The Web lasso is still attached to his opponent and has no time to hesitate. Twisting around, he takes to home terrain and dives into the nearest porthole. Tiala is forced to sever her lasso before it is complete lest she gets pulled into the water as well. If she was pulled in, the rest of this fight would be a very short one. Out of sight, Avorn swims silently under the ground and stalks for the perfect opportunity to strike... Tiala is wise enough to put enough distance between each porthole, so that when he uses either she will have a second or two to react...
Avorn displays his own cunning and full strength of his kind. He does not use a porthole, but creates a new one right beneath Tiala. The solid ground explodes from below and catapults her up, then caught between razor sharp Jaws. Ares is forced to dive away from her companion and avoid the flying debris of earth and rock. They are undeterred from their role however, immediately resume playing as soon as their feet are steady. The leviathan tanks the impact of the descend, holding the arachnid in front so she absorbs most of the crash landing. Not to mention his added weight of his own mass that slams right on top a split second later. He's pins his opponent down with his forelimbs, her spear legs thrashing and Stabbing to break free. One is caught between Avorn's teeth and yanked. Tearing of flesh and joint can be heard over the chaos of battle and the crowd as the leg is dismembered from Tiala, before Avorn brutally swings his head into her and shanks the leg still grasped into her abdomen. Her shrieks are horrifying, her own weapon turned against her. Even Ares winces behind their mask at the sight but continues to play a good few feet from the pair. This is the beginning of the end as they feel their beast's desire to end it quickly, he does not take pleasure in torturing her despite what evil she might be. On que, the song begins to finish up like before. Electrodes begin to charge up like before to end this battle.
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Post by Raz on Mar 27, 2018 21:08:59 GMT
Spero was aware of what has happened to his companion even from his position. His thoughts were of the mechanical biology that were zipping in an unending stream. Neurons screaming louder and louder pummel his senses with the never ending barrage of signals. "Sternum punctured. Internal bleeding extreme. Forelimb B has stopped responding to commands. Cutting off blood flow to forelimb B. Lowering pain receptor efficiency. Survival chances slim." His voice drones emotionlesly on to Tiala. "Battle parameters need to change soon or we will be defeated." Though there exists no alarm or worry in his voice this is only due to the role he plays in their bonding. Yellow blood is flowing out of the sternum of the enormous spider in waves. One way or another this fight will end soon enough. If they do not succeed in this match now then the leviathan will surely confirm their kill. "We cannot die yet." The thought was a statement that echoed in Tiala's mind while she thrashed and cut with a vicious and desperate fury only seen by an animal near the brink of death. Yellow tinted flecks shot up into the air from Tiala's screams which were already beginng to power in frequency. Even to the very end Tiala was going to struggle and rage, rage against the dying of the light. Avorn was beginng to glow with new energy as the next strike was surely to be the last one of the match. As this was happening one of Tiala's eyes patches onto the masked figure that was playing so beautifully on their flute. "Objectives have changed." His voice spoke monotonously. The spider's spinnerets began to spring to life and the back legs formed the net they were aiming for. "Kill the tamer." Tiala launched her web at Ares just as it looked like Avorn was going to deliver his final blow.
Avorn saw the web lash out to Ares and knew exactly what would happen should that web come in contact with them. If they got reeled into the fray they would most certainly be crushed or electrified in the confrontation. Having to protect his Tamer, Avorn had to abandon his helpless target for the time being. As quick as he could he lashed out with his tail which stopped the webbing. The stinging pain and numbness of the web was instantaneous. The web also served as a way to yank Tiala free from Avorn's clutches. Still she raced after the Aquaborn with murder in their eyes. Rushing to his master's aid Avorn blocked the strike with his shelled exterior. The blow skated off of him but allowed for Tiala to slide up and over his thick defenses. With the last of her strength she sank her sharpened legs into Avorns neck to anchor them there. The sting of her fangs and stinger followed almost instantly. Venom pulsed inside of the Leviathan without even a hint of mercy. It wasn't until her fangs were empty did she leap away from the now thrashing beast. The Ungoliant landed hard with her limb still out of her body. She is standing but just barely, if that poison doesn't do it then this is over. Frothing spittle and foam began to fill Avorn's mouth while his tail thrashed spastically. The beast roars one last time before falling silent, body still. The small voice of Ares can be heard saying that they yield the match. In her arms she's cradling her defeated familiar. Tiala collapsed in about a minute after it was announced that they were indeed the victors.
After her collapse they both start to shift into their normal form. Spero is laying on the ground clutching at his chest, the residual sensation of being stabbed still remained with him. It was perhaps for the best that they had not eaten because if they had it surely would've made even more of a mess when he started to wretch. Bile and spit emptied itself onto the sand. With a shaky hand he wiped an errant stand from his mouth and rose shakily to his feet. "We did it..we won.." He breathed in relief. "We won!" He shouts, the full realization finally hitting him. He threw his fist in the air in triumph. Tiala climbed his leg and was soon laying in his hair once more. Not once in this exchange does he even bother with the notion that he was standing naked before a packed colloseum.
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Post by DodoDestroyer on Mar 27, 2018 21:33:16 GMT
Ares was aiding Avorn through this soon to be victory with their song, each string leading up to the precise moment to deliver the shock... that is until the moment nobody expected, a web is shot directly towards the helpless tamer. They freeze in place from disbelief and shock of this turn of events, the song is suddenly cut short and they drop the instrument. Avorn is now without guide, he acts upon his instincts to protect his partner with his tail, taking the blow for them but the assault is relentless. Ares stumbles back as the Ungoliant rushes them, legs failing on them as they trip to the ground before holding their arms in front of them in a futile effort to protect themselves. Avorn is much faster and takes the would be fatal hit for them. He knows what has happened, the loss is inevitable now... he does not care, his eyes lock with Ares as the venom is pumped into him to assure they are still in good health. The bard is helpless to watch, now quivering from being so close to death and how their companion threw everything away to save them.
As the mighty leviathan reverts back into their familiar form, their motor skills kickstart again. They rush over to Avorn and cradle his tired body protectively, remembering the near fate of what happened to the scorpian. "We yield!" They declare in a cracked voice, desperate to stop their friend from becoming a meal to this... this monster! They do not get up and leave right away, they stay knelt with Avorn gently resting in their arms, a hand giving soothing strokes to his head. The familiar blinks slowly at his master, Ares can feel how he is not sorry for his actions, knowing that they protected his master and best friend.. "You performed wonderfully. Our clan would be proud of you." The bard whispers praise to him and holds him very close. A smile forms behind the mask that the leviathan can feel the warmth of.
They lost their win by such a cheap blow, but they refuse to let it dampen their dignity nor spirits. They qualified! That's what matters. They have surely left a first impression to the entire island today. They must show their audience that they are still well. Ares slowly stands to their feet before bowing graciously to the crowd, cradling a now sleeping Avorn to show he is quite fine despite his defeat. They nod their head to the victor... though warily and just to be polite. This duo tried to make an attempt on their life without hesitation, that is extremely unnerving. It's a mystery what exactly is going on in their head to convince them to attempt murder not once but twice in the same match... it is barbaric.. The bard and the beast take their leave with no shame of defeat. Their presence has only just begun here.
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Post by Snoe on Jul 9, 2019 1:03:10 GMT
Three months later.
On a Mountain plateau sat a manor house of oak beams and stone. A small well kept farm, flowers and vines threatening to overtake the buildings save for the stone courtyard and fountain. A stones throw from there was a pond one could compare to a small lake, where water pooled from the waterfall and proceeded further down the mountain. Alik sat on rocky overlook Thana prowling the water’s edge for fish, the pool ran deep and connected to many ocean tunnels, one of the Reason’s Alik chose this spot to build a home, Thana did love a fresh fish from time to time.
Aliki had arranged for the others to meet him here, it was out of the way but a very good place to make the hub of their explorations and training for the next tournament. It was practically Thana’s vacation home; the Hurdinal Archepeligo. It was long string of mountainous isles running downward from the mainland in one long hundred mile stair climb. Riddled with wide rivers and caves it was a paradise for beasts of all kinds. Not so much for most humans as the animals ruled the area although a few Tamers made their homes here and there. Alik’s land was on the Northern slope of Hurdinal Ilse it was near the only sea port and made getting to the tournaments a bit easier when the seasons came along. The last tournament was unfortunately interrupted by scandal the competition was called off in the final rounds. It would be until the next spring before Alik needed to return but he’d likely go back before then.
Hurdinal Port was a fortress town well below where Alik’s cabin sat, maybe a mile up hill a breath from the waterfall that fed from the island chain into the sea. A former Champion’s prize was a land deed to a portion of these islands, it made training much easier and some of the more brazen champions lived much further up the chain. Some even attempted the Pilgramage to Steppes; the city seated where the Great Chain River begins and home to Achilles... no not the hero but a Legendary Beast that no longer competes in the Tournament and regularly made the trek from Hurdinal to Steppes. A Nemean Lion, a rare and nearly invulnerable monster back in its day, even Dragons feared the Lion.
Alik and the Champions as per tradition allowed Tamers to stay in there homes as they made the Pilgramage, the cabin was more like a farm in terms of size and stock the Gryphon riders delivered provisions regularily and looked out for the caretakers as the Tamers were often away from home for long periods. All but the most eccentric Champions had such arrangements in place, supplies and staff flown in and homes lived in by well paid servants and family. Alik’s Elder sister Kalini and Grandmother Edra took up the roost and dealt with the home while he was away much to the staff’s dismay as Lady Edra was a real task master the small group of hunters and gaurdsmen that made up the manor’s defences.
Alik had left instructions to offer food, rest and bath to his guests rather than force them to wait for Alik before being seen to. It was a long way up the hill after all.
Thana had caught a fish larger than herself and pulled it up out of the water. “You gonna let me take that home for dinner or is that all you?” Alik quipped Thana snorted in disagreement and continued pulling the fish into a thick bush with her and away from Alik’s scrutinizing gaze. “Guess not, I bet some of the guys already bagged something from their hunt anyway.” Alik went back to lazing on the warm rock pulling a flute and playing as the sun began to fall from noon into midday.
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Post by DodoDestroyer on Jul 31, 2019 20:00:12 GMT
The passing months were filled with tournament battles, meetings between other tamers and champions and ever important politics that orbit around the very sport of monster battles. Ares is exhausted from it all. They were a simple Bard many months ago, and now a full fledged beast combatent and representative for their clan. The pressure and stress is a heavy weight but half of the time, it's a wonder how they remain keeping up with the others. Ares gives credit to her will for music and her partner in all of this; the mighty leviathan Avorn. He shares their task and pulls his weight. Giving emotional support to Ares when the mental exhaustion kicks in. Something that is more precious than any amount of golden coin to the Bard.
But to say all this blood, sweat and tears were for naught? That would the biggest deception of the century. Avorn and Ares' style is unique. They are separate entities due to lack of fusion yet maintain a synergy to keep up with other contestants, sometimes overtaking many expert duos. Avorn's movements are graceful, his attacks are brutish. Each battle is accompanied by Ares' beautiful music from a strange yet elegant musical instrument. They did well in their own right in the arena and dominated the hearts of onlookers, and their opponents. While they are currently not one of the top fighters, their performance has gained a huge fanbase.
Perhaps this is why they were invited to the venue. Absolute skill and raw power are not considered the only traits needed to succeed in the business of monster battles. Performance, showmanship, entertainment. Three qualities Ares adores and values, something the arena thrives on too? The Bard hopes so. They wish to be remembered for it. The duo arrive not by land, but by sea. Avorn in his full form glides through one of many ocean tunnels to the destination. His master clings to a rough handhold of his jagged armour, crouched low to duck under the pushing force of the water from the leviathan's speed. Soon they reach the pond and in no time, Avorn breaks the surface. A burst, akin to an explosion, of water erupts spreads across the body of the pond and over its edge like a mini tsunami. Avorn drags himself out of their with heavy footfalls and it seems he didn't just bring Ares with him. A huge marlin is gripped in his jaws, a hearty snack after a long journey. The Bard hops off his back, landing on three points smoothly. Ever the showman, on and off the stage. They lift the mask from their face to admire the Manor, accompanied by the background of beautiful mountains. They turn to look at the open pond in all it's glory, an excited smile finds it's way to their lips. Here they are... Hurdinal Archepeligio, the fabled paradise for all beasts of every kind. Ares only heard stories of it's majesty and none of them did it justice. It was gorgeous, a true masterpiece made by mother nature herself. They can only hooe by the time they have created a musical piece for this place, it will capture even a small fraction of it's true appeal. Avorn certainly approves of this place in his own way, dumping the marlin down unceremoniously near the shore before diving back in for more catches. In a leviathan's own way, this is a mark of satisfaction. Ares shakes their head in amusement and once again envies their companion's content for a life of simple pleasures.
After a quick scan of the shore, Ares' smile becomes one of surprise to spy Aliki rather close by. The satyr greeted them on their first day of the tournament and left quite the impression that the Bard did not forget. They move swiftly over them, a bounce in every third step. The smile has moved from excitement, recognition and now sheepish embarrassment as they bow graciously to their host. "Forgive our rather eccentric entrance. We did not think anyone would be so close to the water's edge upon arrival. May I also thank you for the invitation, your home is exquisite." They rise from the bow, curiosity dances within their eyes. "Though I cannot hide my wonder, why did we receive such an invite? They were many others in the tournament that proved a higher standing than Avorn and I." The bard is known for their confidence and royal form of speech, though they cannot help but shuffle a small bit on their feet when they ask about the nature of this meeting.
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Post by Deaths on Aug 3, 2019 22:17:35 GMT
The ocean air was something Emris had finally gotten used to. The many months at the arena have gotten him used to the new smells of nature. He had grown used to the life of a vagrant, living among the detritus of civilization. A part of him missed that life, the true freedom of doing whatever he wanted whenever he did. Eating as much as he could, because you never knew when your next meal would be. Then the day Shadow arrived changed the rules to the games he played. Now he could be invisible, no prize was out of his reach life couldn't get any better. That was until he learned of the darker side of Shadow, the cute small pup was indeed a terrible monster. Their first merging was not something Emris consented to, the only memories he has of that night were the need to hunt and eat. Shadow's urges have lessened since then, but the beast still has it's need to stalk prey; it wasn't about food it was about the hunt. Luckily the arena fights had made up for the beast urges.
The coin Emris has made were nice, it was weird having a 'home' even if it was just a small room in a dormitory. Lots of the other rookie tamers would complain about the small size of their rooms, Emris was just amazed he had a bed. Perhaps a few nights on the streets would help them see the error of their judgement. Do to some sort of scandal the tournament was ended early this year, Emris didn't really understand what was the big deal was. His record wasn't the best he'd won more fights than he lost, he wasn't going to win any championships anytime soon, but that wasn't even his main concern. He had been here for months and he was no closer to finding anyone who knew anything about his family.
"These clothes are too big." He sighs to himself only realizing old habits die hard. Even though he had more money now than he's ever had in his life, casual theft was such a part of him he couldn't help it. The person who had invited him into his home was the tamer named Alik, they are a current champion, and had refereed several matches Emris had. Emris wasn't sure why he was invited to this gorgeous house, but he didn't mind. The invisible boy walked the halls weaving and dodging the staff, the smokey smell of meat over a flame nearly lifts him off his feet. Emris couldn't help, but drift towards the kitchen completely undetected. Both the boy and his dog begin to drool at the vast number of dishes littering the kitchen.
After a few minutes the cooks are bickering over where some of the dishes went, and why there were bite marks in others. The flowing robes that Emris had 'borrowed ' now had a few stains covering them making Emris feel a bit more comfortable. Emris continued to roam the house, a goat leg in his hand, with Shadow on his shoulder. The duo taking turns biting uncivilized chunks out of the perfectly cooked meat. It is there Emris wanted to kneel and take the gods, a bottles of wine fill the next room, each much more expensive than the last. Emris grabs the biggest bottle his tiny hands can carry while still lugging around his dog, and second dinner. Halfway through the bottle, and most of the lamb later Emris found himself outside sitting underneath a tree not far from the manor. Feeling so satisfied and safe for once in a long while the young boy's eyes begin to get heavy, soon sleep falls over him. Shadow sits next to him chomping away at the lamb happily, the sleeping boy pops back into existence for the world to see cuddling the wine bottle in the cool shade of grand tree.
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Post by Snoe on Aug 27, 2019 3:41:41 GMT
Alik had a great view ooff the entrance of the leviatthan applauding the arrival like any fan. Forever in it for the show Alik could see the appeal as a performer hiself but Thana wasn’t much for elegance and showmanship, more brutal effiency and raw tenacity... helped that she was ridiculesly strong ontop of that.
Thana was in her familiar form munching on caught fish when the larger beast erupted with its own catch. Must of made the little lizard jealous of how big that catch was as Thana Burst into her own larger form and looked up at the larger Avorn. The two weren’t too far off in size though Avorn had a good weight advantage, and a thick hide while Thana was a mass of rippling muscle and scale. They hadn’t met in the tournament, though Thana had the experience advantage. The Nidhogg slipping smoothly into the water for a moment or two only to return with a fish larger than the marlin though it was an ugly bastard she was amusingly pleased with herself an snorting at the leviathan with a victorious posture.
Alik found Ares not far, Alik hadn’t moved from his rocky perch smiling down at the androgyn with a friendly smirk. “Welcome to my home away from home, and don’t worry about the pond it used to be half the size Thana likes landscaping I think she was trying to make it bigger so more fish populate it.” Alik pointed out the various stacks of boulders around the rim of the pond. “Not sure it worked but its a great workout for her.”
“Oh don’t apologize Im acquiver with excitement, and I’ve been drinking as usual so a show to go with my wine is quite lovelyy to which I THANK you Ares.” Tilting into a nod “And You’re very welcome my polite little show...person.” Making it rather plain that Alik was baiting a revealing answer, Ares was interesting in their mysterious nature and part of him thought maybe he could tease out an answer to what they hid under that lovely outfit. “Apologies if my words are a little ham handed, ‘A satyr’s sordid curiosity is never sated’ or so my grandmother often tells me.” Alik rolled from his position and slid down the rock landing at the bottom smoothly, standing but leaning against the rock where he landed “As for your curiosity allow me enlighten you AND HIM.” Pointing to the slumped figure not far from them clutching a bottle of wine and wearing Alik’s clothes “Thana mud bath if you would!” Giving her a wink and swing of her tail dugg into the shore of the pond spraying the sleeping figure with cool water and hefty clods of mud.
If he wasn’t awake after that the boy may have drank himself to death. “Where was I, Oh yeah! I invited you both here because I like you AND to give you places to train.” Alik was a bit more serious at this point. “The tournaments are harsh and you’re both still flitting around as rookies, but if you keep flaunting the same skill sets without developing new moves and muscles the more experienced Tamers; like myself will destroy you out there.” Alik was concerned for these young ones since they didn’t have the same support team alot of the other Tamers tow around everywhere they go, these two were solo acts even Aliki had grandma teach him the ins and outs while the tribe helped get Thana into fighting condition. “You’re co-ordination with Avorn while amazing is getting obvious, while most Tamers aren’t clever enough to read tempo in your tune, you’re basically broadcasting what you want him to do and when to do it.” True not all Tamers were very bright and some might never realize what Ares was doing other than playing music, the fact was once that secret broke and veterans caught on it was going to get real tough for them “I’m not saying that its bad but you’ve got to be a little trickier with your ‘code-talk’, if you feel that I can help you you’re welcome to stay for a while, if you want to go it alone I understand but please still stay the night and for dinner my Grandmother would be pissed that I let a guest leave hungry.”
“As for you Dog and Boy, one of you better figure out who’s in charge or that mad-dog straight line shit is going to ruin your chances.” Aliki had gone up against the hound and the kid, alot of potential almost as nasty as fighting a Fenrir perhaps a similar breed. The mindlessness of its hunt and rampage despite the natural hunters instinct the dog wasn’t patient enough to wait for a perfect openning, and it was in piss poor condition in terms of physical strength. “Had you learned how to communicate with your partner training would be easier, might even help you iron out the kinks of your full merge.” The animal took the reigns in every fight Aliki saw and in the attempted ambush Thana baited him into only to lay out the physically weaker beast.
“SO you return my stuff and get clean, ask grandma for clothes that fit, then we can all eat and discuss training IF you both want to stick around. Hell you could lie to me say yes and mooch off me for a month if that’s more your speed, I did invite you both here because I like you and its not like you’ll be left wanting here. Alrighty you guys think I’m going to go to the house and get something to eat talk more there... THANA please share with your rival.” Thana turned up her nose at Alik before reverting to familiar and practically eating a tunnel into the monstrous fish she caught.
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Post by DodoDestroyer on Sept 21, 2019 15:39:14 GMT
Avorn looks over Thana's new catch that outsizes the one he brought in. He snorts undignified then rolls and twists his large neck, ready to accept a competition when he sees one. Ares knows the leviathan better than anyone that the stubborn leviathan feels the need to one up every other monster. He slips back in the water with the slithering motions of a snake, his mass ripples the water into waves on the shore once again, lapping his master's legs. After some moments, the leviathan does not break before his catch does. He tosses a catch out onto the shore with a crash next to the Nidhogg. Not as long, but the fish is huge in body and fat with meat. Avorn soon follows and if a monster could look smug they'd have the look he does right now as he throws an amused grunts towards Thana, challenging them to do better.
Ares leaves their companion to his boasting competition. Lord knows that the monster cannot be stopped once encouraged, so it is better to just leave them to it. The Bard bows their head to the Satyr's gratitude for the short entertainment of their arrival. They mistaken his attempt to scrounge out their true gender as forgetting their name. "Ares, my host. We tend to let the performance follow our routine always." They explain how they make even the most mundane arrivals as entertainment. Then curious confusion takes over their face when Alik points to an unknown shape amongst the trunk of the tree.. closer inspection brings recognition. The young invisible boy that they saw on the day of their arrival! They snuck into their viewing box during the championship between Phoenix and Ice Dragon. The Bard could not forget such a day so easily, burned into mind as their best day here. Ares looks apologetic to the now muddy Emris and bows their head again in greeting.
That curiosity piqued by the invite to such a luxurious manor is sated. An invite of affection and concern it seems. The opportunity to train as the tournament gets rough. It is no secret now that Ares and Avorn do not bond during their matches because they have not yet reached that level of intimacy. Of course, their bond is as strong as steel to anybody with paying the slightest bit of attention. However, the first merge is triggered by a massive spike of emotion. Or so Ares has heard. The Bard and Leviathan have always found harmony in most matches, the only exception was their first when the arachnid went for the kill on Ares rather than their opponent. The leviathan fell within seconds in a successful attempt saving his master's life so they theorised that they did not have the moment of bond before he was incapacitated. Ares thinks back to this match with no bitterness of fear. Rather, like a scholar looking for answers to the motives of such a violent change of pace.
"I see. Indeed, being separate entities creates more risk of our patterns and tactics being exposed. Perhaps it is time to work on that." They answer more to themselves than Alik, already wondering if they should compose more unpredictable songs or begin full work towards their merge with Avorn. They pull themselves out of this wonder after a moment and smile to their host. "Your offer is a generous one, I cannot find any reason to turn it down."
All three tamer's attention turn back to the two competitive monsters, Alik barking a scolding towards his own. It seem they have calmed down their boasting after several fish are now beached, varying different sizes from huge to enormous. Avorn doesn't need to be told by his master that he should be doing the same, and reverts back to his much smaller form and begins feasting. The Bard chuckles with a shake of their head. "Their catches will be reduced the bone within an hour or two, that is only accounting Avorn's appetite." They remark in amusement. Their attention turns to Emris, warm smile remaining on their features. "I remember you. From the view box during the opening championship on the day of induction. You remained invisible for most of it." They speak of the memory fondly, finding his excitement on that day endearing.
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Post by Deaths on Sept 22, 2019 1:09:27 GMT
The boy and his dog had both found a peaceful nap, serenaded by the sweet songs of birds. Only for a splash of cold water and chunks of mud crash into him startling the two. A small cut forms on his head, it appears a rock was in the attack. The moment he feels the impact the his eyes widen and he slips away in another puff of smoke.
The leaves in the tree above him shake, giving away his hiding position. His instincts take over, the boy and dog look down silently at their attacker. It wasn't a real threat, it was the one who invited him. Emris reveals himself, but stays in the trees still cautious around his new companions. He listened as they talked, well the satyr seemed to be mad. Not at the theft, but at Emris' combat ability.
Emris slowly climbs down the tree, looking over his new outfit seeing the mud covering it. Without much of a thought he strips away the dirtied clothes, revealing another stolen outfit. This time it was a true clash of styles. His shirt was one the female servants wore, the pants belonged to one of the workers, paint and building material permanently dyed them a rainbow of color. Somehow still this smaller outfit still was flowing on the boy, it was as if no matter what he wore it would always be two sizes too big.
"Sorry sir..." He let's out meekly, handing over the robes and what remained of the wine. His eyes closed as he held out his hands, waiting for a punishment that doesn't come. Confused he stares at the Satyr continuing their rant about his fighting style. The things he was talking about were confusing, none of it made any sense. "Who's in charge?" He repeats back under his breath, repeating the lesson given to him.
Then the musician began to speak. They agreed to stay, so Emris answers with a simple nod as he wasn't one for pretty words. Emris studies the musician for a second they talk like they are familiar with him. This wasn't possible the two had never fought before. They speak of the battle when he first arrived, Emris remembered that fight, but he watched it in awe, the fight was the only thing he remembered. "I never met you before Mister." He says bluntly, his accent gives away his poor upbringing. "I remember the dragon and the Phoenix, but I've never seen you before in my life. I only know Alik, cause we fought before." His confusion was present on his face as he studied the musician some more. "Wait...Alik..." The gears in his mind slowly turned and created realization. "...Are you supposed to remember when you merge?" Unknowingly the boy just gave away how inexperienced he really is.
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Post by Snoe on Oct 7, 2019 6:59:36 GMT
Aliki smirked at the two of them and waved for them to follow "Dinner first explanations after." It was going to be fun to see how the house greeted the new tamers. The workers Sis and Granny were going to have a field day with the new faces. Alik had disappeared for a moment or two as Granny found their guests at the front fussing over the little urchin "You're so dirty Come you're taking a bath.” Granny spent the better part of an hour fussing over the boy, while Sis Elleen had taken to Ares.
The manor’s workforce was always more like a family than anything else, no one was really incharge aside from Granny herself but that was more resppect than anything. Granny finding proper clothes for the young one “Here! Wear these until we have some more made for you, dinner is almost ready. Granny was a silver haired woman stout but not as homely as one would imagine for her age, definitely stern looking and most certainly living up to her look but she also seemed to really like young Emris fussing over him as if he were her own grandchild.
Alik had been sitting in the library with his pan flute Just idly playing a side tune while looking down at a book, looking up a little something trying to get a better idea on the pup that followed the kid around all the time. He hadn’t done much research on the little mystery that was shadow. From the look of it the dog was likely a Hell-hound or derivitive... such a horrid name for such a creature reputations seem to make or break the life of a beast these days. Cerberus were unecessarily feared aswell as many a rumoured connection to the ‘underworld’ Thana had the same bad rep.
Elleen was showing Ares around asking this and that, if she needed a bath and asking if she needed a change of clothes aswell. It was a well oiled circus everyone juggling two or three tasks while fawning over new faces. It was when dinner was served and twenty people crammed in on two tables Alik sitting across from his fellow tamers now all settled from a few hours of exploration, the library the trophy room, the small barracks, the baths, it was a large manor and there was plenty to see. Elleen was a laid back girl though more proper than her elder brother in behaviour and apparel. Though she talked as much and had as many question about Ares as there were stars in the night sky.
Aliki took a drink from his cup “SOOooo back to your questions.” Mostly the kid “As for who’s in charge, I mean you and your dog needs to establish who’s doing the fighting, and YES you’re supposed to remember a merge.” He pointed out in one sharp statement “You two are battling for control without knowing it I think, makes your beast a little confused.” Aliki had wondered how much Emris knew or even if he could read “If you can figure out how to communicate with your little buddy you’ll be able to learn all they know and they learn what you know.” Aliki revealing a little more about the advantages of merging looking between the two new tamers.
“Granny taught me all the tricks of the trade perhaps you two would like to ask her?” Aliki’s grandmother was seated not far with a wise grimace “Always leaving the learning to me don’t you boy? AND don’t hide your heritage!” Slapping Aliki lightly for still being in glamour hiding his antlers of which were soon unveiled to his guests with a mumbled apology. “Well sorry Granny, you’re just so wise.”
“My grandson, wants me to teach you how I taught him.” Granny knew her business, what she wouldn’t tell them was she was a Taming instructor during the last wars “The things he’s trying to get through to you two are the many advantages a proper tamer has over rookies... as talented as you may be... I’ve seen the fights dears.” She says passing a plate to the left after taking her portion “Even a partial Merge is highly adantageous, borrow one another’s senses, instincts and experience, while a proper full Merge allows you both to ‘know’ your partner and them to know you; if you’ve ever seen my grandson fight you’ll notice how quickly he reacts, a full merge allows one mind to think the other to act on those thoughts without stopping to think very useful in a fight.” Aliki kkknows this all too well, with Thana letting loose all claws and teeth while he paused to think in the back of her mind analyzing before coming to a decision and telling her what next to do or asking to take personal control “It requires alot of trust, but even properly merging once allows you insight into your partners mind and strategies knowing your partner is the best thing yyou can do for yourselves.” Granny was living up to Aliki’s advertisement in wisdom. “So Tell me about your partners, what do you know about them?” Aliki knew what she was doing but it was part of the process after all.
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