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WM105: Taming Attempt #4

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“So pal, why don’t you travel with us, that way you don’t have to slink around alone during the day, that coat of yours is better suited for the night anyways, we’ll watch out for you. Promise.” Rorin said with a warm smile towards Galileo. For a moment the sphinx wouldn’t meet his eyes, looking at Kangee, then Orion, finally his green eye landed on Rorin, the Tokota shifted his weight for side to side for another second before turning. He took a few steps in the direction the trio had been walking before they stopped and then he turned back to them. “Alright, let’s go.” Rorin said before getting back onto Orion’s back.

The trio, now joined by Galileo, continued south towards the Bay, and greener pastures. Galileo led the way. He picked his path carefully the mossy underbrush of the Aqtuquaq, constantly stopping to scent the air or the trunks of the larger trees, his ears and nose constantly twitching, searching for anything that would inconvenience them, or slow their travel. Kangee’s eagle continued his work as well, scouting the route ahead of the travelling party. More than once Galileo watched in awe as the piebald bird flew down from the canopy and landed on Kangee to give his companion information before taking off again.

Kangee walked through the forest with little hesitation, his every move coming with an air of confidence, the utter antithesis of the smaller Tokota in front of him. Kangee was an alpha through and through, a position not earned easily, and one recognized by all, human and Tokota alike as an impressive accomplishment. Rorin got the feeling that Galileo was as impressed as he was terrified of Kangee. He saw the power Kangee commanded and though the older had no intentions to harm the sphinx it put him on edge regardless.

Orion was another story however, as always. Rorin and Orion carried up the rear, Rorin occasionally quietly chatting with his companion as he often had on such journeys. Where Kangee’s confidence came from experience and status, Orion’s came from youth and his upbringing. Orion walked to his own drumbeat, he wasn’t afraid of anything, even when it was smarter to be afraid. Orion walked with his head held high, admiring his surroundings, occasionally breaking from the path to follow a particularly interesting smell or sight, but he always found his way back.

After watching Galileo walk with Kangee closely behind, Rorin leaded forward in the saddle to whisper to Orion, “I’m not sure your new friend fully trusts the company you keep.” he said pointing ahead towards the pair of Tokotas ahead of Orion. Orion turned his head a little to see Rorin as best he could on his back, his ear turning to hear Rorin better. “Galileo trusts you, at the very least he trusts you to not attack him without being provoked, if he sees that you’re comfortable with Kangee and I, maybe he’ll be able to relax too.”

Rorin leaned back, sitting up straight in the saddle, “Hey guys, let’s take a break, we’ve been walking for a few hours. Let’s get a drink.” Rorin hopped out of the saddle and walked around Orion to the saddlebags where he packed the waterskins. Rorin pulled out the smaller of the two and drank deeply, he poured a little into his hand and rubbed the back of his neck with it. Grabbing the second, larger waterskin and the cast iron pan, he walked back to Orion’s head.

Rorin put the pan down in front of Orion, and poured out some of the water for Orion to drink. While Orion leant down to drink, Rorin looked back to the rest of his group, Kangee was walking over to grab a drink, but Galileo stayed where he was. Rorin waved at the smaller Tokota to get his attention, “Calm on Galileo, come get a drink.” Galileo didn’t budge, he just watched as Kangee and Orion shared the water.

Rorin turned back to the pair of Tokotas, “Hey, Orion, want to see if you have better luck?” he asked nodding towards Galileo behind him. Orion looked up at Rorin, and then past him to where Galileo was standing, he licked the water from his muzzle and walked in Galileo’s direction. Rorin stayed with Kangee, “Hey Kan,” Rorin said as he refilled the pan, “How’s Orion doing? You think we have a chance with Galileo? He doesn’t seem to trust you or me half as much as Orion yet.” Kangee stopped drinking and watched as Orion walked over to the smaller Tokota.

Orion barked at Galileo happily as he got closer, Galileo took a few steps to greet the larger Tokota. Orion nuzzled Galileo’s cheek and nipped at his ear playfully, Galileo returned the gesture and was surprised to find the leather reins that wound around the back of his head. Galileo recoiled in surprise. His eyes wide. He took a step back to see the leather straps that wrapped around Orion’s chest and torso that held the saddle in place. Galileo walked along Orion’s flank and sniffed the leather straps, the saddle with its brass horn, and the saddlebags connected to it.

He walked back to face Orion and then looked past him at Rorin and Kangee. Orion could see the emotions on the sphinx’s face, confusion, anxiety, and misplaced aggression. The hair on Galileo’s neck bristled, and from deep in his throat a low grumble started, only loud enough for Orion to hear. Orion instinctively took a step in front of Rorin and Kangee, his lips curling up just enough to show a hint of his teeth, his tail lashed from side to side angrily behind him.

Galileo got the message, Rorin and Kangee are not enemies, and are not to be harmed. His anger melted away, and he licked Orion’s nose, his ears back, tucked tight against his head.

Orion turned away from Galileo and trudged back towards his companions. Galileo didn’t immediately follow and when Orion didn’t hear his footsteps behind he turned partially to face the bobtail. Galileo avoided Orion’s glance, suddenly interested in the ground around his feet. Orion barked at Galileo, who looked up, incidentally getting Rorin and Kangee’s attention too. “Oh boy,” Rorin whispered to Kangee as he watched Orion and Galileo interact, “we’re skating on thin ice.” Rorin took a step forward, “Everything alright Orion?”

The second Orion heard his name he relaxed, his shoulders untensed and his tail and ears went back to their normal place. He turned back to Rorin and trotted up to him and licked his cheek a few times before Rorin could stop him, Orion turned back to Galileo, while Rorin wiped his face, “Yeah, thanks pal, love you too.” Orion just watched Galileo. The sphinx understood the message, Rorin is family. He made his way over to the rest of the group and stood before them, Rorin smiled happily, and poured a little more water into the pan, “you’re more than welcome to get a drink Galileo.” he said, extending his hand out to the smaller Tokota. Once again Galileo sniffed it. Seemingly satisfied, he licked Rorin’s fingertips, just a quick swipe, before lowering his head to drink. “Well alright then,” Rorin said with a slight chuckle, “glad it all worked out well enough. Drink your fill boys, we still have a ways to go til we get where we’re going; we’ll find a place to rest there.”

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

Word Count: 1248

HP: 6(1223 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!