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 Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:31 pm
[Discord rp with Cornetified]
Finding out there was a new sibling on the way, Lioe couldn't help wondering where he would stand in the family now. Surely this new child would be more satisfying for his parents than he was. With them awaiting the birth on another continent, Lioe was free to take whatever time he needed to contemplate the coming change.
It shouldn't have been such a concern. After all, he was pretty much of age to be on his own! Many his age were moving out from their homes, getting jobs, making their lives.... Ugh, he did not want to get a job! Jobs were work, and hours of labor, and... Great, now he was worrying about working, too.
With a grunt of annoyance, the teen dropped next to the lake and laid back in the thick grass. Now what was going to happen?
[Lioe 1]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:31 pm
Uzumati had spent the majority of his morning helping construct a new building in a nearby town. The man had gotten better at working with others over the years and despite his more quiet and wilder habits others had started taking note of his skills and Uzumati had started picking up more tasks and even working alongside several other carpenters throughout the years since Padma had come into his life. It was an adjustment though and Uzumati could only take so much before he retreated back into the forest once again. Today had been his final task in town for the month as the man planned on spending the afternoon resting before taking a few days to hunt and relax since he could take and store some meat for winter while selling the pelts in town the next time he went that way. Uzumati was easily tempted by the appeal of a lake, the cool waters glistening in the early afternoon sunlight, and without thinking he had stripped down to his bare minimum so that he could dive right in.
However, it seemed that plan would be slowed down as he found himself stumbling at the sudden noise. Who? The man's emerald gaze narrowed with annoyance before he noticed a form laying nearby in some grass. It would have been a lot more annoying if he had been in the middle of a hunt because surely such a loud action would have alerted his prey, but thankfully Uzumati was just focused on getting to the water. So without much more thought on the matter the man simply walked past and dove into the cool waters with a loud splash.
[Uzumati 1]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:31 pm
[Lioe 2]
Staring up at the sky, Lioe tried to let his mind wander to his stories. He could pick through shapes in the clouds for ideas, imagining what each vague form could turn into. Should he go realistic or- Noise?
Wincing slightly at the realization that someone else was around, he raised his head enough just to look over the grass height. He blinked with confusion when he saw a heavy form shoot into the water, and sat up straighter with interest. Was that some large animal that had jumped in or a person? An animal would be preferable.... Lips pressed, he crawled forward curiously for a closer look.
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:31 pm
Was he being watched? Uzumati's hunting instincts kicked into gear as he quietly swam beneath the surface of the water. The man was an expert at avoiding other predators, including earthlings, and could easily hold his breath as he swam through the clutter of reeds growing around the edges of the lake. It was only the faintest of rustling noises when he finally emerged for a breath of fresh air, his gaze peering through the fauna so that he could study the stranger. It was hard to see though since the reeds were blocking most of it and Uzumati debated on if he should simply keep swimming away or not.
But it didn't seem like he would be in any danger. Uzumati let out a soft sigh before slipping back beneath the surface and swimming closer to take another look. If anything the teen would maybe notice some ripples perhaps along the surface while something actually dangerous lurked nearby.
[Uzumati 2]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
His eyes skimmed the water's surface, looking for any sign of what had entered its embrace. Could it be that something had come out of the water rather than going in? It certainly hadn't sounded like an exiting noise... but there was nothing in sight! Maybe it was a land creature that could also breathe underwater?
A ridiculous idea for reality, but it would certainly make for an interesting story.
Ah! There were ripples in the water! Still, there was nothing to see beyond reeds and a few water fowl further along the bank. Curiosity piqued with the mystery, he stayed low on his hands and knees and crept even closer to the water's edge. Were those footprints? How long could someone stay under?!
[Lioe 3]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Uzumati would recognize that scent anywhere. His gaze narrowed and a low growl vibrated in his throat as he peered around the edges of the lake. Where was it? A sigh of irritation left his lips as he finally caught sight of the figure slowly creeping around the edges of the brush. Others may have easily missed the crystal points of the witu's back as it blended in with its surroundings, but Uzumati had spent years fighting these creatures. Those very years had also taught him to not hesitate and to not worry about pleasantries when dealing with a beast that wanted nothing more than to rip out someone's throat. Today's particular someone happened to have familiar bright orange hair which also made for an easy target for a wandering witu. It would be easy enough to swim away and just watch the chaos unfold from the safety of the waters, but Uzumati wasn't one to simply sit still and so instead he shot into action.
The man gave no warning as he swam forward and reached out for the teen who was peering into the waters. Uzumati's arms wrapped tightly around Lioe as he tugged him into the water with him, a loud splash announcing their departure the same moment the witu sprung forward. All the beast got was a mouthful of water and disappointment as Uzumati took Lioe deeper through the waters with him. Eventually he tugged the teen up towards the surface and let go of his arm, but it was only when they were already in the center of the lake and towards the opposite shore. Surely that would be good enough, right? Uzumati grabbed a breath of fresh air before glancing around for any signs of the wandering creature.
[Uzumati 3]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
[Lioe 4]
Lioe stiffened up when he noticed the water rippling, the churning increasing quickly and getting closer. Then the man broke the surface.. that was a man, right? He seemed awfully beastly! Not accustomed to quick action, Lioe barely had time to even try pushing away from the water, yelping as he was roughly grabbed. He had half the sense to gasp in a breath as he was pulled toward the water, his lanky body easily being yanked around.
Oblivious to the danger he had been in, Lioe was limp with shock while being dragged through the water. His eyes were squeezed shut, heart thudding and lungs already prickling with the need for a fresh breath. Besides.... he didn't know how to swim. If he was released under the surface...
Sensing them break through the surface, he spat out the mouthful of water before gasping in fresh air. Of course, he was released right then and the flailing began. "Wait-!" he gasped out before slipping back under the surface. Was someone actually trying to kill him?!
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Blinking, Uzumati took a few seconds to watch the teen bobbing up and down in the water before processing the fact that the teen may not be able to swim. Another grunt of frustration left his lips before he went back under the water's surface and grabbed the flailing body so that he could tug him back towards the surface. It was a bit of a rough process since Uzumati wasn't the most accustomed to carrying another person through the water. The teen did slip through his arms a couple of times but Uzumati simply went back under so that he could scoop him up again and carry him a few more feet towards the shore.
Eventually they made it and Uzumati simply tossed the teen forward before shaking the water from his own body. Brushing strands of damp hair from his face, Uzumati turned around a few times so that he could survey the area. It looked like they had been in the water long enough to deter the witu though Uzumati was not foolish enough to let his guard down completely...not just yet.
[Uzumati 4]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Lioe 5
By the time the flailing young man was thrown onto solid ground, he was thoroughly exhausted. Coughing up water and gasping for air, he turned to aim a heavy gaze at his.. potential killer? Savior? The man seemed quite alert to something, but why? What was he looking for? "What.. was.. that?" he panted out, pushing his bangs out of his eyes. When he tried to get his legs under him, they shook too much to take even his frame and he remained on the ground, carefully inching away from the strange man standing there. Hold on, did he know this guy? Had he seen him before? He couldn't remember, but something about him... Must have just seen him around town. "You- you could have killed me.."
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Uzumati rolled his eyes at the dramatics. If he had wanted to kill the teen then he would already be dead. "Witu." Was the only explanation he would give as he surveyed the shore with a frown. Another shadow passed through the trees and suddenly Uzumati stood tall, his shoulders thrown back as if expecting a fight. If anything his posture and the way he snarled with his teeth was enough to show that he meant business and the creature didn't plan on lingering around much longer after seeing that. It was one thing to pick at a teen and another thing to deal with another predator. When the creature seemed to back away, Uzumati finally turned back around to study the other earthling. Well, he surely wasn't dead that was a fact. Uzumati pursed his lips before slowly holding out a hand towards the kid.
[Uzumati 5]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Lioe 6
Witu? Lioe blinked a few times and shook his head. What did that mean? Witu. Wi- Oh. A witu. Wait, really? His eyes slid around to watch the landscape, but his own observations were a youngling's finger painting compared to the fine brush strokes that the water man saw. He couldn't see a thing to be suspicious of. Then again, this was why he preferred to stay inside.
He tensed up when the man's stance sharpened and grew, and he looked toward where the other was looking, his breath stopping despite still panting to catch it again from the water! Was that the shape of a witu in the grasses? Where had it been before?
He was relieved when the other's posture relaxed, but now the attention was directly on him. His cheeks burned under the intense gaze, his own immediately shifting away. Fingers twitched hesitantly before they dared to reach out to accept the help. "Thanks," he managed to murmur, climbing to stand on shaking legs. He had nearly died!
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
After Uzumati helped to pull up the teen he just gave a nod at the thanks. Now there was the other problem of the fact that he had left some of his belongings across the way and they were both soaking wet. At least the witu had backed down....for now. Uzumati let out a soft sigh as he glanced about once more. If he knew anything about those predators it was that they could be stubborn and sneaky. As soon as he left he could imagine the witu coming right back for the teen. It was best to play it safe and linger around even though he was more than ready to head back home.
He glanced over the teen, surveying him for any injuries before turning back around to stare at the other side of the lake. It would be easy enough to swim back across if he was alone but since the teen couldn't swim...Uzumati's lips pressed into a line of frustration before he turned back again. "You...okay to walk back?" He finally asked, his voice still gruff despite the years of somewhat use his throat had been getting since socializing with other earthlings again.
[Uzumati 6]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Lioe 7
Wrinkling his nose, Lioe looked down at himself and started wringing out the looser parts of his clothes. This was going to be a miserable walk home, but at least he was going to be able to go home! What would have happened if that guy hadn't been there? Witu were not known for being friendly. It would be best to just move on as soon as he could.
The rough voice caught his attention, and he peeked back up only briefly to nod in reply. That guy was seriously intense. "I should get home," he murmured, hugging himself against a cool fall breeze. He needed a warm bath to shake off the various chills. He started trudging along the lake's edge before he paused to glance back. He should probably offer something in return... He worked his jaw a moment before swallowing his shyness. "Do you need anything?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:32 pm
Uzumati nodded and pointed towards the opposite shore where he had left his belongings. He did need his materials and he wasn't going to waste time talking about them. What was the point when he could simply lead the way back towards everything? The half naked man rolled his shoulders, his body aching from the frantic swimming lesson before taking a few steps forward. The breeze was nice and Uzumati appreciated how the slight chill against his damp body kept his senses sharp.
One could hope that it would be a simple walk back but as Uzumati started to move he had the feeling that asking for such an easy day would be too much. A frown crossed his features before he peeked back to make certain that the teen was following him.
[Uzumati 7]
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Posted: Sat Oct 23, 2021 5:33 pm
Lioe 8
With some strength finally returning to his legs, Lioe turned to instead follow after the stranger. While he wasn't entirely certain of the man, he was even less certain of the witu. From what he understood, it was probably still lingering around. It would probably wait for him to fall behind to resume the hunt.. or would it actually wait for the man's attention to slack for revenge? Did witu have enough sense to think of revenge? It was just an animal though. Surely it had gone off for easier prey.
Though he was able to walk, he could still feel the weakness from the sudden strain he'd been through. He was certainly not used to much physical activity outside of lazy walks through town. He would steadily fall back a little before pushing a short burst to make sure he didn't get too far from his rescuer, his eyes locked on the man's heels. He just had to repay the service, and then he could go home to a bath and dry clothes.
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