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WM105: Taming Attempt #19

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Rorin set the lid down beside the pan full of mussels and turned back to the remaining fish. “What do you say we throw these on the coals while the mussels cool?” Rorin asked, looking at the Tokotas. Galileo nodded enthusiastically, his short tail wagging with anticipation. From the other side of the fire Rorin could see that Orion was interested as well, as the large Tokota licked his chops, “What about you Kan? Do you want another?” Kangee seemed less interested in food and more interested in simply laying in the afternoon sun and relaxing to the sound of the rushing water, “Then I think I’ll have this one for myself.” Rorin said as he began skewering the remaining fish.

***

The group ate together and relaxed around the small fire ring for the better part of an hour. Rorin cooked the few remaining fish and passed them out to his companions. Orion happily munched on his fish, eating it whole. Galileo took his time, taking bites from the trout, and savoring it, he wasn’t sure when or if he’d every eat cooked meat again. Rorin used his knife to cut pieces off the fish until there was nothing left to cut away, at that point he pulled the remaining meat from the bones and tossed them in the fire, much to Orion’s dismay. Beside Orion, Kangee dozed, resting his eyes, his chin resting on crossed paws, though his ears stayed up, occasionally twitching or spinning in the direction of a far off sound.

When they had cooled enough to touch Rorin began to pass out the mussels. Rorin picked the first one out of the pan and, using his knife, broke the hinge to separate the two shells from one another. Rorin held it out for Galileo, “Smell this Galileo, perfectly cooked.” Rorin looked over to Orion, “The only proper way to eat them.” The sphinx looked at Orion and then turned back to the mussel Rorin was holding. He sniffed it quickly, and instantly his mouth began to water. Rorin used his knife to separate the meat from the bottom shell and set it down in front of the sphinx, “Go on Galileo, what do you think of it?” Rorin said as he grabbed another from the pan.

Galileo lowered his head and sniffed the mussel again, his tongue quickly darting out to taste it. Beside him Rorin cracked open another, tossing the other shell into the water behind them, he pulled the meat out of the shell, “See easy as that, and then,” he said before putting the meat in his mouth and chewing, “You eat it. Now you try.” Rorin said as he swallowed his first and reached for two more. “Otherwise, Orion and I’ll finish them all first.”

Galileo quickly pulled the meat from the shell, it was little more than a morsel, but the flavor was immense. The smaller Tokotas eyes went wide as he quickly chewed and swallowed the mussel. As Rorin cracked the shells of the two mussels he’d picked up Galileo leaned forward, whining excitedly, Rorin chuckled, “I’m glad you liked it, I assume you’ll want another? Rorin asked, already knowing the answer, Galileo barked his reply. Rorin tossed one of the half shells to Orion around the fire. Orion caught it sideways in his mouth and when he dropped the shell again the mussel was already gone. Rorin handed Galileo the other shell. Before grabbing another for himself.

***

The group sat like that for a few hours more, laughing and sharing the fruits of their labor. When the fish had been eaten, and the bones picked clean they did the same to the mussels, and when those were gone the Tokotas licked the shells clean as well. Rorin threw more wood on the coals and the fire picked up once again, crackling and hissing against the green wood they’d brought and the shells and bones they’d left in the ring.

Rorin laid on the ground, his arms on his stomach with his fingers interlocked, looking up at the cloudless, blue skies, using the saddle as a headrest. On his left Orion laid beside him, practically sprawled out on the gravel. He was cleaning his claws and the fur on his paws, as well as any fishbones or mussel shells he could reach without getting up. Opposite Rorin, Kangee was resting, after the trudge across the river that morning and a day of fishing and eating he was content to rest in the sun while it was still high in the spring sky. On Rorin’s right was Galileo. The sphinx had finished his share of the food and was now taking a page out of Kangee’s book. Just like Kangee, the smaller Tokota was laying with his head resting on crossed paws. But unlike Kangee, even among good friends, Galileo found it hard to close his eyes during the day, let alone sleep in the open as they were. Instead, the sphinx spent his time between watching his companions and the fire.

Rorin eventually broke the silence, “What do you say now Galileo?” Rorin didn’t move, instead he continued to stare up, though he did move his arms, now crossing them behind his head against the saddle. His words got the Tokotas attention. Both Orion and Galileo turned their heads at the words as the man spoke, and across the fire Kangee opened his eyes to watch Galileo, himself more curious to see how the sphinx would respond, if at all.

Orion stared at Rorin for a moment before turning to look at Galileo as well. Galileo looked at his companions one by one, his eyes finally landing back on Rorin. Only the fire crackled between them, and for a long time none of them said another word, or made any sound. Rorin eventually turned his head to look at Galileo. “You don’t have to answer, I understand.” Rorin pulled his arms out from behind his head and pushed himself up into a sitting position against the saddle with a groan, “I just need you to know we’re here for the long haul, and we want you to be happy and safe. I understand if that means you don’t come home with us or anyone else for that matter, I just think you’d like it with us.”

Rorin crossed his legs, “We live in the Aqtuquaq, not a day's journey from where we first met you at the Dreaming Waters. Orion and I make our home near a small town in the forest. Kangee lives there as well.” Rorin said gesturing to the Tokotas, he continued, “The winters are long and the summers are mild, prey is plentiful if you know where to look.” he looked back to the sphinx, “But no one goes hungry, the humans and Tokotas there look after one another. It is peaceful there, though I’ll admit Orion and I still stray far from home when we can,” he turned back to Orion and Kangee, “Don’t we?”

Rorin sat back for a moment in silence, only the rushing waters of the river and the crackling fire could be heard, occasionally a loud bird cry would echo across the river from the trees on either sides. “All I’m trying to say is, if you come back with us you won’t have to be alone, or scared, ever again, we’ll watch over one another, always.”


Wild Tokota's reference sheet: WM105
Referred to as: Galileo, sphinx, smaller Tokota, bobtail
Handler name: Rorin Raven-Wood
Companion: applecinna 's  Kangee WM01
Hereditary: 
Mediator II: Provides a 60+ increase to taming odds when depicted in a taming entry.
Wild Heart: Tokota can be used for the packmate bonus (5%+ increased chance towards taming success) with any wild Tokota.

Previous Attempt (-50 per attempt):
WM105: Taming Attempt #1
WM105: Taming Attempt #2
WM105: Taming Attempt #3
WM105: Taming Attempt #4
WM105: Taming Attempt #5
WM105: Taming Attempt #6
WM105: Taming Attempt #7
WM105: Taming Attempt #8
WM105: Taming Attempt #9
WM105: Taming Attempt #10
WM105: Taming Attempt #11
WM105: Taming Attempt #12
WM105: Taming Attempt #13
WM105: Taming Attempt #14
WM105: Taming Attempt #15
WM105: Taming Attempt #16
WM105: Taming Attempt #17
WM105: Taming Attempt #18

Word Count: 1236

HP: 6(1236 WC) +4(non-com) +2(handler) +1(1 alpha tokota) +3(Kangee WM01 is superstar II) +3(Kangee WM01 has Aippaq's Bonds)
Total = 19
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The-Nerd01's avatar
Tagging applecinna for the use of Kangee, Thanks!