[thumbs up! want to pick which sort of critter they run into?]
There's nothing particularly out of the ordinary about this trip- at least not until K'pandolu's ears prick up and she turns, urging her bird to go slower. "Felih- did you hear that? It sounds like something crying out…" Something in need, too, if she's any judge.
Felih can't help but tilt his head at the sound, ears swiveling towards the source as he stops his own Chocobo. He pauses, brow furrowing a moment in confusion, before he turns.
"It sounds like a kit, doesn't it?" he muses after a moment, tilting his head. "The tiny screeching." It certainly did sound like some kind of feline fussing noisily for help, their tiny squeaks turning into terrified tiny screeches. "Let's take a look. Up, Stormwind," he says, encouraging his bird onwards, and then they're off.
Over the rolling hills and stones, Felih soon picks up on something else- growling wolves. In the distance he sees them, apparently surrounding their latest meal- which appears to be some unfortunate coeurl that had been ambushed and defeated by sheer numbers.
"Careful," he says, keeping a wide berth around the hungry pack- they could get vicious if they thought their food might be stolen. But his ears twitch and swivel about more. "Where is it coming from...?"
Off into the recesses of one of the stony walls, is a small den, from which the sound emanates- and it appears another wolf is stalking towards it.
K'pandolu clicks to Typhon, and they follow after, trying to be quick and careful. After all, they don't know what else might be attracted to the sound.
She follows suit in giving the pack of wolves a wide berth- they're just trying to live, after all. She's listening hard- and then spots the lone wolf. Right- a lone kit doesn't have much in the way of defences, and-
She nudges Typhon to get beside Felih, eyes narrowed. "I think that's got a scent," she says. "We'll circle- try and come up on it from both sides. Try to cut it off!" And she urges Typhon away and forward, eyes intent on the path ahead.
"Got it-" Felih says before she's even finished speaking, his ears already up and focused. His impulsiveness sends him zooming off in one direction, coming up from one of the wolf's sides as he prepares a spell in his hand, hoping to send something at it that'll send it running and yelping.
As they approach, it becomes very clear that the sound really is a coeurl kit- now orphaned, seemingly, helplessly crawling about the den and quite young. His protective instincts are kicking in hard- now he just has to hope his chocobo won't spook.
He keeps a careful eye on K'pandolu, making sure she's safe as they make their pincer approach.
As long as the other wolves don't decide the sound they're making is something to investigate, she'll be fine- as she's focused on this wolf, keeping low as Typhon darts around- and then towards the wolf. The chocobo lands just in front of the wolf, fluffing up- wings and crest out to make himself seem bigger as K'pandolu slides off, beginning to growl. The wolf growls back- but with two protectors appearing, now it's looking for a way to snatch the kit quickly. Still- it hasn't noticed Felih, yet.
The fact that the wolf hasn't noticed Felih yet is just something to use to their advantage- with careful aim, he lets loose the spell in his palm and lets it strike squarely at the beast's flank, a burning sear of flame starting to spread across the fur.
He and his chocobo are coming up around the other side, closer to the den itself, Felih quickly slipping off his bird to reach into the now-empty den and retrieve-
Oh. There's two.
Well, no matter- he scoops up two coeurl kittens, quickly trying to secure them into Stormwind's saddlebags, hoping K'pandolu can distract the wolf while he's fiddling with the kits. "I've almost got them-"
The wolf cries out, turning to try and see what's attacked it- but K'pandolu takes that opportunity to slam it hard. Behind her, Typhon lets out a cry of challenge, reaching out to peck at the wolf. It knows someone else is there, now, but the two of them are the wolf's bigger problem.
"Good!" she calls back- she hasn't realised there's two kits, but it must be tricky managing getting even one safe. "But- I think we'll need to move quickly, with all this sound!" A few of the other wolves are bound to have noticed this one's cries- even without Typhon's battle call.
Felih is doing his best, but the kits are very squirmy and very much protesting being put into a strange sack on a giant bird that also smells very strange, by a person who smells like, well, a human.
But to his credit, Felih is quick and manages to wrap them up and get them secured in the saddlebags, and leaps back up onto Stormwind's back.
"Got 'em- let's go," he shouts, spurring Stormwind to start his bolt and charge away from the scene. "Not dealing with a wolf pack today- I'd rather just get somewhere safe!" Just because they're both capable of killing a pack of wolves doesn't mean it was worth the trouble- not when he had two little kits who would need care soon.
Without a doubt, it's the first time they've smelt anyone like him. They seem to settle a little once they're secured- or maybe that's simply confusion.
"Got it! Typhon, we're done here!" K'pandolu strikes out at the wolf once more, sending it reeling, before she turns to sprint away, giving another quick whistle. Typhon wheels, beginning to take off. K'pandolu grabs for his reigns, and swings herself up onto his back. It takes a little time, but Typhon starts picking up the pace, head stretched out, focused on getting away from the first group of wolves coming to investigate their fellow's cries.
Stormwind bolts, keeping up with Typhon easily, while Felih tried to balance holding onto the reins and also the saddlebags carrying their new cargo. Luckily for them, their chocobos could easily outrun wolves if they were urged into a spring- and so long as they made it into town, the wolves wouldn't dare try to charge into a dwelling full of humans- it would be a death sentence.
"Well- er, I've only just realized," Felih shouts over the din of barks and howls, as they're making their escape. "That I'm going to have to raise two coeurls...! Unless you'd like one...?"
Typhon's not quite at top speed, as K'pandolu would prefer not to lose track of Felih, but it's still fast enough they'll be able to lose the wolves in a little while. Particularly the closer they get to town- there's bound to be someone on watch.
K'pandolu turns, surprised- Typhon losing a little bit of speed as he adjusts. "Wait- there were two there?" She hesitates for a moment, thinking, then nods firmly. "I'd like to! I haven't- raised a coeurl before, though- perhaps you could tell me more?"
The wolves know by now not to get too close to town- they know the repercussions they would face if they tried to crash into a settlement. It granted them both reprieve as they were finally able to pass through the gates and into safety, the wolves giving up their chase and returning back to the meal they had already captured.
Felih gives K'pandolu a sheepish grin. "Yes. There's two- cute little things. I forgot that coeurls oft have litters of a pair," he chirps, slowing down and finally dismounting Stormwind, patting the chocobo and letting it rest. The saddlebags are moving- because the kits in the bags are fussing and squirming, trying to curiously peek their faces out from under the flaps. One was the garden-variety spotted coat found in most of temperate Eorzea, but one was notably black-furred.
"And of course- I've raised plenty of wildcats," he says with a grin, opening the bags and letting the tiny kits try to clamber out. "These two are so young, they'll be easier to train for a beginner," he chirps, scooping one up in each arm before going and offering a kit to K'pandolu. "I almost didn't see this one- she was blending in pretty well in the dark," he says, looking at the black coeurl.
It's a relief to be away from them- she knows the two of them could take the wolves, but it's simpler to not have to.
"A pair- I didn't know that!" K'pandolu slides off Typhon, giving her bird a pat, and comes over to look at the two kits. "Oh, aren't you two sweet," she coos, reaching out to take the one Felih offers to her. The kit does squirm a little, but it seems just as curious about her, one paw stretching out to try to touch. "A coat like that seems well suited to hiding! I think, though- perhaps it would be better if I took the one with the spotted coat."
Felih gently hands over the spotted kit to K'pandolu, and the kit fusses and squirms, mrowing squeakily in protest, a hoarse little sound that made it sound as if it had been straining its voice for quite a while now: both poor kits had been crying out for their mother.
The sounds breaks Felih's heart and he cuddles the black kit close to his chest, letting a low, rumbling purr kick up in him, the sound soothing the kit into calming down. "Poor things. They wouldn't stand a chance on their own. I'll name you... Umbra," he says after a moment, cuddling the kit in his arms. "She'll be a good one. I think the spotted one you've got is male, but feel free to check again. I didn't get the best of looks, considering our rush..."
Felih's already turned on his mother-hen mode, fawning over the kit in his arms and dutifully protecting it, keeping it warm and secure. "I'll have to go fetch bottles and milk..."
K'pandolu makes a soft sound, taking the kit into her arms and cuddling it close, one hand stroking its back. Her heart hurts at that already, and she gives Felih a determined nod.
"They've got us now, at least," she says, and hesitates for a moment. "I… oh, I should check, I suppose." She adjust the kit carefully- the kit giving another sad mew in protest. "I think- this one may also be a female, after all. I'll call her Speckle," she decides, settling the kit again and crooning at her softly.
He's quite justified in her mind, and K'pandolu nods. "Oh- shall I see to the chocobos in the meantime? I won't be far."
Felih cradles the big kit in his arms, the large bundle already bigger than a normal housecat, even as young as it was. He remembered one of his Lalafellin friends complaining about coeurl kits- but he'll have to deal with it, because Felih isn't leaving this kit alone.
"Speckle- how cute," Felih says with a grin, before bringing up Umbra so he could nuzzle at her and press gentle, purring kisses to her soft fluffy forehead and ears. "The kits are precious at this age- and luckily, much more amenable to human touch. They ought to be more or less tame, if we raise them dutifully," he murmurs, cuddling the kit more. The tiny, sleepy thing is purring now, calming down to hear Felih's purr and feel the warmth from his hold.
"Yes, please do- I'll go fetch them. I still have a few from the last one I raised-" Felih may have a bad habit of adopting abandoned wildcats. "-so we are not out of luck. Some warmed milk and they'll be alright," he murmurs. "Here- mind Stormwind. He's usually well-behaved, but even so- don't be afraid to wrangle him if he causes trouble."
The seafoam-colored chocobo simply fluffs itself up a little before sitting down on the ground and nesting patiently.
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valoirs
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There's nothing particularly out of the ordinary about this trip- at least not until K'pandolu's ears prick up and she turns, urging her bird to go slower. "Felih- did you hear that? It sounds like something crying out…" Something in need, too, if she's any judge.
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Felih can't help but tilt his head at the sound, ears swiveling towards the source as he stops his own Chocobo. He pauses, brow furrowing a moment in confusion, before he turns.
"It sounds like a kit, doesn't it?" he muses after a moment, tilting his head. "The tiny screeching." It certainly did sound like some kind of feline fussing noisily for help, their tiny squeaks turning into terrified tiny screeches. "Let's take a look. Up, Stormwind," he says, encouraging his bird onwards, and then they're off.
Over the rolling hills and stones, Felih soon picks up on something else- growling wolves. In the distance he sees them, apparently surrounding their latest meal- which appears to be some unfortunate coeurl that had been ambushed and defeated by sheer numbers.
"Careful," he says, keeping a wide berth around the hungry pack- they could get vicious if they thought their food might be stolen. But his ears twitch and swivel about more. "Where is it coming from...?"
Off into the recesses of one of the stony walls, is a small den, from which the sound emanates- and it appears another wolf is stalking towards it.
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K'pandolu clicks to Typhon, and they follow after, trying to be quick and careful. After all, they don't know what else might be attracted to the sound.
She follows suit in giving the pack of wolves a wide berth- they're just trying to live, after all. She's listening hard- and then spots the lone wolf. Right- a lone kit doesn't have much in the way of defences, and-
She nudges Typhon to get beside Felih, eyes narrowed. "I think that's got a scent," she says. "We'll circle- try and come up on it from both sides. Try to cut it off!" And she urges Typhon away and forward, eyes intent on the path ahead.
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As they approach, it becomes very clear that the sound really is a coeurl kit- now orphaned, seemingly, helplessly crawling about the den and quite young. His protective instincts are kicking in hard- now he just has to hope his chocobo won't spook.
He keeps a careful eye on K'pandolu, making sure she's safe as they make their pincer approach.
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He and his chocobo are coming up around the other side, closer to the den itself, Felih quickly slipping off his bird to reach into the now-empty den and retrieve-
Oh. There's two.
Well, no matter- he scoops up two coeurl kittens, quickly trying to secure them into Stormwind's saddlebags, hoping K'pandolu can distract the wolf while he's fiddling with the kits. "I've almost got them-"
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"Good!" she calls back- she hasn't realised there's two kits, but it must be tricky managing getting even one safe. "But- I think we'll need to move quickly, with all this sound!" A few of the other wolves are bound to have noticed this one's cries- even without Typhon's battle call.
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But to his credit, Felih is quick and manages to wrap them up and get them secured in the saddlebags, and leaps back up onto Stormwind's back.
"Got 'em- let's go," he shouts, spurring Stormwind to start his bolt and charge away from the scene. "Not dealing with a wolf pack today- I'd rather just get somewhere safe!" Just because they're both capable of killing a pack of wolves doesn't mean it was worth the trouble- not when he had two little kits who would need care soon.
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"Got it! Typhon, we're done here!" K'pandolu strikes out at the wolf once more, sending it reeling, before she turns to sprint away, giving another quick whistle. Typhon wheels, beginning to take off. K'pandolu grabs for his reigns, and swings herself up onto his back. It takes a little time, but Typhon starts picking up the pace, head stretched out, focused on getting away from the first group of wolves coming to investigate their fellow's cries.
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"Well- er, I've only just realized," Felih shouts over the din of barks and howls, as they're making their escape. "That I'm going to have to raise two coeurls...! Unless you'd like one...?"
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K'pandolu turns, surprised- Typhon losing a little bit of speed as he adjusts. "Wait- there were two there?" She hesitates for a moment, thinking, then nods firmly. "I'd like to! I haven't- raised a coeurl before, though- perhaps you could tell me more?"
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Felih gives K'pandolu a sheepish grin. "Yes. There's two- cute little things. I forgot that coeurls oft have litters of a pair," he chirps, slowing down and finally dismounting Stormwind, patting the chocobo and letting it rest. The saddlebags are moving- because the kits in the bags are fussing and squirming, trying to curiously peek their faces out from under the flaps. One was the garden-variety spotted coat found in most of temperate Eorzea, but one was notably black-furred.
"And of course- I've raised plenty of wildcats," he says with a grin, opening the bags and letting the tiny kits try to clamber out. "These two are so young, they'll be easier to train for a beginner," he chirps, scooping one up in each arm before going and offering a kit to K'pandolu. "I almost didn't see this one- she was blending in pretty well in the dark," he says, looking at the black coeurl.
"You wanna pick yours?"
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"A pair- I didn't know that!" K'pandolu slides off Typhon, giving her bird a pat, and comes over to look at the two kits. "Oh, aren't you two sweet," she coos, reaching out to take the one Felih offers to her. The kit does squirm a little, but it seems just as curious about her, one paw stretching out to try to touch. "A coat like that seems well suited to hiding! I think, though- perhaps it would be better if I took the one with the spotted coat."
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The sounds breaks Felih's heart and he cuddles the black kit close to his chest, letting a low, rumbling purr kick up in him, the sound soothing the kit into calming down. "Poor things. They wouldn't stand a chance on their own. I'll name you... Umbra," he says after a moment, cuddling the kit in his arms. "She'll be a good one. I think the spotted one you've got is male, but feel free to check again. I didn't get the best of looks, considering our rush..."
Felih's already turned on his mother-hen mode, fawning over the kit in his arms and dutifully protecting it, keeping it warm and secure. "I'll have to go fetch bottles and milk..."
sorry this took so long!
"They've got us now, at least," she says, and hesitates for a moment. "I… oh, I should check, I suppose." She adjust the kit carefully- the kit giving another sad mew in protest. "I think- this one may also be a female, after all. I'll call her Speckle," she decides, settling the kit again and crooning at her softly.
He's quite justified in her mind, and K'pandolu nods. "Oh- shall I see to the chocobos in the meantime? I won't be far."
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"Speckle- how cute," Felih says with a grin, before bringing up Umbra so he could nuzzle at her and press gentle, purring kisses to her soft fluffy forehead and ears. "The kits are precious at this age- and luckily, much more amenable to human touch. They ought to be more or less tame, if we raise them dutifully," he murmurs, cuddling the kit more. The tiny, sleepy thing is purring now, calming down to hear Felih's purr and feel the warmth from his hold.
"Yes, please do- I'll go fetch them. I still have a few from the last one I raised-" Felih may have a bad habit of adopting abandoned wildcats. "-so we are not out of luck. Some warmed milk and they'll be alright," he murmurs. "Here- mind Stormwind. He's usually well-behaved, but even so- don't be afraid to wrangle him if he causes trouble."
The seafoam-colored chocobo simply fluffs itself up a little before sitting down on the ground and nesting patiently.