Step 1: Capture Win: 70-100 (-5 for Drakeins, +15 for trying to capture this creature three times before) 60-100 Rolled: 63 Outcome: Success! Words: 390
The day had been long. Not wanting to go home, but needing a breather, Samael settled amongst the rocky crags, and closed his eyes. It wasn't his home, so it was impossible to sleep comfortably, but the day's endeavors had left him exhausted, and he passed out after no time at all.
When he awoke, he was ready to give it one last go. If he didn't succeed this time, he'd give these wild Dactyls a small break before returning again. He needed at least one night's sleep if he was to continue any further, after all. Shaking the dreariness away, he dragged himself back to his perch that overlooked a few of the Dactyl nests. He tilted his head at one (that he generally ignored because of its emptiness) that now housed one lone creature. Sam's heart leaped. If the nest actually held an egg... The Dactyl preened this way at that, shuffling around the nest. For one brief second, the Drakein had a great view of one tiny white orb before the female settled comfortably atop it.
Immediately, Sam scrambled to find his netting supplies. The last net might've been too big. He learned quickly that the goal was to keep it close to himself, so that nothing else would entangle in it. Carefully watching his target the entire time, he crafted a small net, with tiny little holes that the egg wouldn't be able to escape from. He looked it over carefully, never wanting something to succeed so badly in his life.
Once woven, he hooked it firmly around his teeth, in such a way that it wouldn't rip against the sharp edges. Nodding determinedly to himself, he dove toward the nest, sending a huge clawed arm, lashing at the guarding Dactyl before she had the chance to oppose him. She screeched as Sam's blow sent her hurdling away, and Sam had just enough time to bundle the egg into his makeshift net before she came back at him.
Hastily, Sam flew away from the nest, not looking back despite the alarmed shrieks the mother Dactyl was letting out. He had no intention of stopping until he was safely on his rock back in Eowyn. He might not even tell Crowell until tomorrow, when he'd had enough rest to recount his daring tales to the young Keindred.
Step 1: Capture Win: 70-100 (-5 for Drakeins, +15 for trying to capture this creature three times before) 60-100 Rolled: 44 Outcome: Fail Words: 415 Total between two prompts: 805
Never before had Sam slept so securely snuggled up to anything, not even his own mother. But as he lay in his cave, tail wrapped around the egg he'd claimed, he'd never felt so proud of anything before in his life. He smiled at it, like the creature inside could already see him and feel his comfort.
He left the egg only briefly so that he could go and retrieve Crowell to help him watch over it and enjoy the prospect of a new companion. And the Keindred was indeed excited! He squealed and bounced around Sam's cavern, careful not to jar the makeshift nest Samael had made of the net he'd used to capture it. The two of them were more than diligent in watching the egg. Sam realized how worth it the hardships he'd faced while claiming the egg really were. Crowell's delight was all he could hope for.
And when it came time for the little one to hatch, the Drakein squealed in excitement. He eagerly rubbed against the little thing, careful not to harm it. He circled Sam and it was all he could do to dive back and forth between his new pet and his older friend. But the young Dactyl seemed... not at all lively. And the Drakein watched on with trepidation. It didn't eat much at all (no matter what they fed it). Its chirps were quiet and far between. And frankly, Sam wasn't sure if it was as big as it should be...
Sam watched it grow weaker and weaker, it tugged at his heart even more than it did Crowell's, to see all his hard work withering away. But he had no clue how to care for the tiny infant, and when it seemed all hope was lost, he turned to his companion and said, "I should take him back to Ayr. Maybe his mother will accept him, still." The disappointment showed in Crowell's eyes, but he nodded in acceptance. Steadily, and carefully, Sam bundled the little one into his net, and headed back to Ayr with all deliberate speed. He braved the wrath of the adult Dactyls so the sick young one could be placed carefully in a nest.
And when Sam fluttered to the top of the cliff to look down at his would-be charge, his heart sank as he watched the adult unceremoniously shove the youngling from its nest, taking a harsh tumble to the ground below, where it lay still and unmoving.
- Ysali Dragon Orb x1
- Ayrala Dragon Orb x 1
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