I think water creatures more likely in the caves than with the birds. Lets go that way first then although I do want to visit the aviary later.
Skavos heads off down the left branch of the path.
Printable View
I think water creatures more likely in the caves than with the birds. Lets go that way first then although I do want to visit the aviary later.
Skavos heads off down the left branch of the path.
With Skavos leading the way, the group takes the left fork and proceeds. The scenery does not change much for a minute of walking until you notice the path leading to a low rocky mound. As you come closer, the low mound grows larger, and you reach the entrance where you notice you could not reach the top of the mouth of the cave even if you jumped. To your right, you can see a wooden sign that reads "The Caverns. Watch your step. No running and no loud noises.".
You continue inside, and you can see the cave expand, the ceiling disappearing into the darkness with only some stalactites jutting down and a few pillars reaching down to the ground letting you know that you are inside a cave and not under a starless night sky. To your left and right, magical lanterns in equally-spaced intervals light your path dimly, but enough so you can see well ahead of you or behind you.
After another minute or so, you once again come to a fork, and another sign which reads:
"<-----The Caverns Bestiary || Ranch, The Pool ---->"
"Well, Water, it seems we have our destination."
Water bows his head ever so slightly; as Skavros continues to lead he follows at the back.
I wonder if it shall be cool or warm, fresh or salty!
Eugene
"Considering that this is a zoo, my guess is that the pool will be fishy." Eugene says with a sigh at the end. "Which is a shame since I could use a good sauna or a hot bath after those laps."
You take the right path, and soon you reach another cave opening. As you exit, you see the path leading to a wide field to the left while your right is bordered by trees. As you follow the path, it is easy to see the two sections mentioned earlier: the one to your left with the tall steel fences and open fields with different beasts roaming around must be the Ranch, and the one to your right with the number of wide bodies of water should be the Pool. Ahead of you, a few people who seem to be the ones tending the place look at you for a few seconds but don't seem to mind at all and go back to whatever it is they are doing.
Water rolls forward towards the closest pool;
Aquan: What lives here!
Common: *Slashing, gurgling noises.*
Spoiler: Spot Check[roll0] Spot check.
"I wonder what beasts they have here" Skavos muttered before heading over to the ranch and wandering around.
One of the workers approach Water as he calls out to the denizens of the pond.
"A water elemental. If I am not mistaken, you should be the first to join the Carnival. But I am almost always mistaken when it comes to things that don't involve my work here." The man chuckles and crosses his hands over his chest. He looks to be middle-aged, with gray, thinning hair, and an obviously-receding hairline. His skin is dark, and his built looks to be muscular, but more of the type that should have been a warrior in his prime but not anymore.
"This pond right here contains more of the tamer ones we have, like sharks and rays and giant octopus," he continues the conversation in Aquan. "Anything you are looking in particular? Though I am afraid we do not have any of your kind here."
Over at the other side, Skavos walks along the fence, looking in. Inside he could see herds of herbivores roaming about, grazing, with the young playing around. Out to the right, he can vaguely see two great cats stalking among the grass, slowly inching forward for the kill. One of the herbivores closest to the cats seem to notice them, its head rising up and its eyes searching. This signals the two to start the ambush. They lunge in and dart at the herd, which by then have already began to disperse. They single out one of the younglings that got separated in the confusion, leading it to a patch of tall grass. From out of the grass, three other cats emerge and pounce at the young beast, one of them sinking its sharp claws at the buck's hindquarters. In the next instant, another wraps its powerful maws around the prey's neck, and down it goes.
"Amazing, isn't it? Nature at work. I've been watching them for decades, but it never ceases to amaze me."
To Skavos' side, one of the workers stand watching. He is an elf, only about as tall as Skavos' shoulder, with blond hair and wearing dark brown tunic and breeches. His gaze is fixed on the cats and their hunt, and he wears a smile on his face. When the lions have begun their feast, he turns his attention to Skavos.
"Welcome to the Ranch. How may I help you?"
Water looks down at the man whom has greeted him and now speaking Aquan.
Its always nice to hear someone speaking your native language; especially if they
are very good at it but its still clearly not their native tongue.
Aquan: I am Swolsh Swoosh Splash Frrrooown;
He holds out a watery hand; attempting to show the same curousy
that the man has shown him by speaking his home tongue.
As you will know my kin do not sleep, I would like to see extra currecular
activities for when my teammates are seeing to their requirements.
Skavos turns to greet the elf.
"My name is Skavos, I'm a new recruit here. My instructor mentioned the zoo earlier and since training had finished for the day I thought I'd come take a look around. I hope we're not disturbing your work, I'd be fascinated to have a look around."
Eugene
Watching the hunting spectacle play out before him, Eugene is rather impressed with this place. Is this really a zoo, or an artificial ecosystem? Then seeing the lions feast another thought crosses his mind, When was the last time I ate?
He considers pulling out his rifle and trying his hand at a little hunting himself, before remembering that the Carnival was providing meals and likely frowned on such poaching. Besides, Sir Stalwart is still on the mend so I would have to drag it out myself. Eugene thinks with a shake of his head. Before he can say anything about wishing to go and grab a bite to eat, he is betrayed by his body as it makes a quite ignoble growl of hunger.
The old man smiles and takes Water's hand and shakes it.
"A pleasure to meet you, Swolsh Swoosh Splash Frrrooown. My name is Faren. And what extra curricular activities might you have in mind? Looking around here is possible. Well, we do not usually allow trainees in the water due to safety reasons. But I am sure will have no problems. Though if you are thinking of the more...vigorous activities, I am afraid fighting and harming any denizen of the Zoo is out of the question."
The elf chuckles at Eugene's grumbling stomach. "No, no, not at all. In fact, half of our task here as caretakers is to help trainees if they are interested in knowing more of the creatures we have here in the Zoo. Where do you want to go? If you need food, we also have a canteen here."
Water; if the man has any idea how to read the
facial features of an Elemental, looks insulted at
the insinuation he would wish to fight with any of
the creatures.
I do not wish to harm any of the creatures you
keep here; simply aid in their well being and
make their captivity as pleasant as possible.
He bows his head slightly, sorry for his small outburst.
I have been away from my home for quite soom time;
I simply wished find some way or place to remind myself.
We fought in water today, it made me crave home.
Water looks back at to check if the others are getting
impatient; he notices the little one with the little skeleton
creature seemed to be hungry.
I believe my school are in need of food;
but I will hopefully return when they sleep.
Gol just silently looks at some of the animals, vaguely impressed at their size.
Eugene
With a rueful smile on his face at his faux pas, Eugene recovers quickly and bows gratefully to the elf. "Well at this point it would be rude to decline so I happily acquiesce. Lead on my good man."
He turns to his more... biologically similar companions and asks, "Care to dine gentlemen?" Before following the elf to the canteen.
This place is amazing, I wonder if I would be allowed to work here upon completion of my training.
"Sure I could eat." Skavos follows Eugene and the elf to the canteen.
Faren does not know of the meaning of water elemental facial nuances, but he does pick up Water's raising voice, and he surely gets his message from there. He chuckles and raises his hands.
"That is possible, yes. In fact it will be my pleasure to guide you when you do so. It is always interesting to find trainees such as yourself who show interest in what we do here. Rest assured, while these creatures are in captivity, we do our very best to simulate much of their natural habitats and living conditions as possible. That way, we obtain the optimum data for our studies. Do come see me when you have the time. Farewell."
When everyone is ready, the elf leads them further down the road for a few minutes walk. They then take a left into a smaller path between two walled-off sections, with the one on the left being the one that contained the lions and the herbivores. The path passes through a copse before they spot a small wooden shack to the right. It is basically four posts holding up a thatched roof, with no walls all around, with a small counter at the middle surrounded by small tables and chairs.
"Got some company with ya, eh Andy?" the rather stocky woman who is tending the counter calls out to the elf. "Trainees, I s'ppose?"
"Yes. And please stop calling me Andy."
"Oh, come on now. I know ya like eet," the woman replies before laughing, which seemed more like snorting for her. "So whadlit be fer ya, laddies? We have fresh deer, pheasant, and wolf meat. All thanks to Andy here, 'course. We also got fresh fish. Just tell me which one you like and how ya want eet cooked."
"Whatever's simplest."
Eugene
Taking a seat at one of the nearby tables, Eugene contemplates his choices a moment and says, "I think I will try the Venison, medium-well if you would be so kind."
"Wolf please and bloody." Skavos says as he moves forwards and takes a seat at the table. Then he looks at his companions. "So why'd y'all sign up then? ... or is that a rude question ... I'm sorry don't feel you have to answer."
Eugene
While waiting for his meal, Eugene considers the question Skavos posed and how he would respond. "Well rude question or not I will answer it all the same." Eugene says with a smirk, "I am not sure how much you know about nobility, but being a fourth born son like myself brings with it a great deal of freedom as long as you don't embarrass the family. However, that freedom is contingent on the fact that a marriage alliance doesn't need to be made at the moment. I think my reason for being here is fairly obvious at this point."
"Besides, the only thing in my life that has truly belonged to me and not my family has been my skill." Eugene says as he pulls out a pistol from nowhere, "I heard that the Carnival will value me more for that than my genes or family so the choice was natural."
"It's... long, but here's the short. I was trying to learn new things, mixing two kinds of magic to bring other into self. It worked... and then I was a lot better at fighting than at research."
Israel just followed along his teammates all along. "Nice place." sometimes escapes his mouth while chats with Kuro, his familiar.
When in the table, Lloyd sits on whichever chair is unoccupied at the time. While the raven stands on his shoulder, jumping to the chair from time to time.
"A'ryt, good tastes." the woman nods as she mentally takes note of your orders. "How 'bout you two?" she points at Water and Israel. "I'm not sure you be needin' anythin' to eet," she says to Water, "but you," she now looks at Israel, "what d'you be cravin'? I'm supposin' yer little birdie right there needs somethin' to be chewin' on too?"
Water inclines his head;
Thank you, I am self sufficient.
He moves to the table; and sits... his form awkwardsly
warps and morphs to incorporate the chair/stool, it really doesn't
particularly look as though he is sitting at all but simply attempting
to fit in.
You wait for a little while as the woman prepares your food. While doing so, Faren asks each of you about your personal details and shares some of his. Not before long, the woman returns with a tray full of food. Even before she lays them down on the table before you, you can smell the wonderful aroma, a promise of some gastronomic treat from the bland food you eat at the mess hall.
Faren converses with the woman as he waits for you to finish your meal, and when you do, he returns to your table.
"Now that your stomachs are filled, perhaps you wish to feed your curiosity now? Where would you like to go? What would you like to see?"
Water looks at his companions, he did not wish to
see anything further... although he did wish to be
allowed to enter some of the water pools but presumed
that wasn't what Faren had in mind.
"I thank you for your food Faren. I would like to walk for a while and see what animals you have here before returning to my quarters. Are we free to wander as we wish here? Obviously I mean no harm to the animals and I won't enter any fenced off areas." Skavos says.
Eugene
After enjoying his food, Eugene ponders the question of what to do next, when he remembers how inefficient shot and powder was and decides to remedy that annoyance. "I might go and see if I can find a shooting range... My performance today was... less than excellent." Says Eugene with a self depreciating grin as he rises from his seat, "Unless anyone wishes to join me, I will likely see everyone back at the barracks tonight."