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Step 1: Capture
Win: 80-100 (-5 for Drakeins) 85-100
Rolled: 56
Outcome: Loss
Words: 710

Sam sat neatly at the end of the crag that was the entrance to his cave. Looking out, he could see Crowell leaping playfully across small crevices. The little guy couldn't fly, but Sam had quickly learned that even if he fell, his little claws would catch the rocky ledge and he'd scramble back to safety before anyone had the chance to rush to his aid. Occasionally, the little one would peek up and chirp playfully in Sam's direction, but he seemed content enough to play on his own today.

Unfortunately, Sam had been leaving his rocky home more and more often. He was starting to wonder if he was breaking the promise he'd made to the little Keindred by not being there when he wanted to play. So, lately Sam had been wondering if... he should get a pet for his young friend. He'd thought pretty hard about it, and even spoke to have few of his more well-traveled clan-mates for advice. He hadn't mentioned it to Crowell, but Nigerey, the little one's mother hadn't seemed particularly opposed.

There were a few particular traits Sam kept in mind. The chosen creature would need to be able to live comfortably within Eowyn's mountains. It would need to be protective of Crowell, and unwilling to hurt him. Preferably, it wouldn't require a too specific diet, so the young Keinling wouldn't have to struggle to much to find it food.

After much deliberation, and a few words of advice from his fellow Drakein, Samael decided that maybe a Dactyl would be a decent option. The only thing that worried him was the poison. He was leery, at best, to bring anything to close to Crowell that could actually hurt him, but then, what animal couldn't hurt him in some way?

With this in mind, Sam flew towards Ayr, ready to hunt an unsuspecting Dactyl. He'd been told they nested in the cliff side; his first condition was met. But now to find them... He felt confident that if he stuck to the rockier regions, he would eventually come across a small pack of them. It wouldn't be in his best interest to take on too many, so maybe if he could just find a tiny family, and then separate it, he'd have a shot. He plodded carefully along the base of the cliffs, looking up every time he heard a Dactyl screech. Though, he was being rather picky about which to attack. It was to be Crowell's pet, after all!

After scuttling back and forth along the edge for what felt like forever, he finally found two Dactyls nesting alone together. This was perfect. All he'd have to do was dive between them, snap one up, and then be on his way! Shaking his tail in excitement, he leaped up the cliff to shoot between the two Dactyls. A screech followed his actions, but the two flying creatures were clearly stunned by his antics. Without hesitating too much, Sam swooped around, opening his jaws and clamping down on his captive.

Unfortunately, he was unprepared for the sting that caught his tongue. He yelped painfully when the Dactyl's poison-tipped tail smacked him across the tongue. Repeatedly. Sam was quick to drop it from his mouth, the thing flapping wildly until it gained steadiness in the air. Angered, the creature and its mate flew at Sam, and the Drakein was quick to escape, flying as quickly as he could away from the nest. It didn't take long before they left him be. From his spot on the ground, Sam could still see their nest, and he sighed pathetically, tongue dangling from his mouth like a starved beast.

A two-legger approached him as Sam moped. He was short and rather young-looking. The fellow had a Dactyl of his own on his shoulder, and was gazing curiously at the Drakein in confusion. "I'm not sure what you were trying to do there." He laughed a bit as Sam scowled. "But you'll never catch one like that! And you're even less likely to tame it! If I were you, I'd go for an egg. They don't fight as much." Laughing, the two-legger walked away, leaving Samael with new found knowledge, though no less pain for his efforts.