Closed Cat Care

[Ixzo]

15th of Summer, 516AV

It was a surprisingly nice morning, and Ixzo found herself sitting on the padded down grass at the entrance of her and Rufio's tent. She was new to this whole Pavilion thing, but Azmere had welcomed them with grace, and the Kelvic was happy to find that a friend of hers, Jasmine, had already taken his offer.

Perhaps Ixzo could have been more tactful, but she saw the alliance as a goldmine. Now she had a Drykas name, an Ankal to back her up, and general protection. But she also had more insight on the two other Drykas in the Pavilion. Azmere was working with the Watchmen, as she had learned from her trial, and Jasmine worked with animals. She would have been uncertain about Azmere, had she not witnessed firsthand that he did not abuse his power. She had few acquaintances within the watchmen, but she hardly trusted the rest, especially as tensions rose.

Ixzo was more eager to learn about Jasmine though. She had joined the novice hunter last season, and found they worked as well as two strangers can together. And after their fight with the slavers, she trusted the light haired woman a little more than most of the Drykas, even if she kept company of foxes and dogs.

Flipping her knife from her belt, Ixzo ended up dropping it in the attempt. She had been using the silly, flashy, move recently, almost always dropping it so that she didn't grab the blade. One day, she'd be able to flip the knife with ease. Stretching slightly, Ixzo picked it up from the ground, turning it to drag the tip of the blade underneath her fingernails, removing the dirt that was always there.

The sun was just finishing its rise, and she could hear the bustle of the world around her waking up. She had been up for hours, trying to sleep, but her schedule would not allow it. For nearly a year she had grown used to hunting at midnight and returning with her kills in the morning, then sleeping for the latter half of the morning before joining the rest of the city in the evening hours. But on occasion she took a break from the polar schedule, such as today. She wanted to meet the cats that Jasmine worked with.

The Drykas worked at the Predator's Post, which Ixzo had been nervous about approaching. Less for the people, but more for the animals. She did not fear the hunting cats they raised and trained, for they would know by her scent that she rested in her seat at the highest ranking cat of the plains. Even those cats who were domesticated on the Alvad ship understood that. Neither did she fear the dogs, per say, she just didn't trust the creatures, and rather not enter an area filled with them, without anyone to pack her up.

She liked the birds, even though they were wary of her, but her interest remained in the hunting cats, and she hoped her friend would introduce her to some.

"Jasmine!" Ixzo hoped up, slipping her knife back into her belt with ease as she saw the Stormblood sauntering past. Surely the woman did not expect her to be around so early, even if they had only lived in proximity with each other for a few days. "You are going to 'Predator's Post'? May I join?" Please, friendly, curious. She asked, slowing and turning to fall in stride with the woman as she walked, keeping an eye out for her Strider, wary of spooking Chaser as she had so many times before.

Myrian | Pavi "Speech" Sign | Common | PC/NPC "Speech" Sign

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine rubbed her neck sighing gently. The night before had not been a good night for the woman as far as trying to sleep. Before everything that happened in spring sleep came easy to her. Now though was no longer the case; so much darkness had surrounded her between helping Syna on her adventure through the Valley to going with Aris and several others on the slaver trip. Her hair was going everywhere due to tossing and turning all night. Kneeling some the woman stretched popping her back multiple times. Reaching over the blonde pulled her bag over digging through it pulling her brush out. Yawning again she began to brush the wild mess on her head causing her to wince multiple times. Once her hair was taken care of the blonde proceeded to pull it into a side ponytail. Grabbing her brush again the woman brushed through the bottom of her hair before putting down the item. Taking another tie she finished braiding the blond tresses down her right shoulder.

Once at least partially prepared the woman stood and got dressed before stepping out wincing at the bright light from Syna. During lunch Jasmine planned on meditating and relaxing for a bit if possible. Images of the dead from the slave mine and pirate raids tormented her dreams at night. Shaking her head the woman sat beside the door of her tent. Haven whined walking over knowing her master was troubled. With a soft smile the woman began to pet the animal while letting her eyes slip closed. A part of her screamed to return to bed, but today was a big day. Tomma had put her over the cats for training and care. Later in the season he had spoken of her tending the birds. Syna's light finally touched the blonde woman as she continued to sit there. Sending up a silent prayer the blonde took several deep breaths calming any stray thoughts that raged in her mind. Allowing all to slip away for a moment she relaxed her body allowing it to become one with the world around it. During her meditation the mark began to glow showing the lady all that was around her. Kids up and playing around their pavilions, adults up and movinf preparing for the day, it even produced and woman of darker skin tone to be lounging beside a pavilion out.

Jasmine began to pull away from the concentration she had held for so long. Slowly opening her eyes to the world around her once more the blonde stood up and stretched out. It was close to time for her to get to work so the drykas walked over towards her stallion. He had adjusted well to the other horses which pleased the blond. Walking she heard her name be called, without slowing down the woman turned her head towards Ixzo. So she had seen Ixzo before when she had used Syna's gift.

“Good morning,” Jasmine said and was surprised to hear of Ixzo wishing to join her, “well uh sure it would be good to have some extra company that understands me.”

She said making a playful joke on the fact that the animals would not speak back to her.

[Ixzo]

Ixzo just looked at Jasmine. Did she understand her? Hopefully she was only talking about the language barrier, but in that case it would be the opposite? Did Jasmine want to confide in her about something? Of all the Drykas she had met, Jasmine was very close to her, but was she coming to Ixzo of all people?

And then she grinned and Ixzo relaxed. It was nothing like what she had thought, although if it was a joke, she hadn't got it. She rarely understood the strange human jokes, and had learned to simply ignore them. Embarrassed, Ixzo immediately turned to pick at her finger nails, as if grooming would alleviate the sudden awkward tension that followed when she didn't get the joke.

"Will you help me… buy, a Caracal." Please. She spoke slowly, and evenly, it was too obvious she had practiced this sentence to make it clear, and exactly which word she was fuzzy on. Looking back up at Jasmine, she grinned.

"You come to me, last…" Last season. "for work to learn. Now I come to you, to learn." Trade, experience, fun. She rushed her signs, not quite sure what to add to the sentence. She always preferred the spoken Pavi word over the signs, because they were so much more familiar to her, and yet the signs had so much more vocabulary. She knew she had to get comfortable with blending the sentences as the Drykas did, but she was starting to use her lack of comfort with the language as a clutch, which was bad. Eh, she wasn't much of a conversationalist even with those who spoke Myrian.

"You do work with the cat, yeah?" Unsure, impolite?

Myrian | Pavi "Speech" Sign | Common | PC/NPC "Speech" Sign

[Jasmine Stormblood]

"Sure Ixzo. I'm positive Tomma would love to see one of his babies go to a kelvic," Jasmine said with a smile.

She wasn't really aware of the fact that there was more than just the night lion out there. The blonde was not one to seek unnecessary knowledge if it did not threaten her immediately. The woman mounted up with a a smile looking over to Ixzo.

"I do work with the cats and would love to have an extra set of hands. Two sets of hands with mischievous cats are better that one set," Jasmine said and turned Chaser towards the Predator's Post, “would you like to ride or walk?”

Jasmine was glad to see that the male strider was not nearly as skittish around the woman as he had once been. Once the dark skinned woman made her decision the pair headed towards the tent. There was an excitement coming over the woman as the group neared. Quickly dismounting Jasmine almost seem to bound inside the tent calling out to the man inside.

“TOMMA! I'm here and I brought a friend. She wants to work with the cats and possibly buy one,” Jasmine called putting her bag away.

“Ah! Welcome welcome come on back this way!” Tomma called from the back checking over the cats.

“Tomma this is Ixzo. Ixzo this is Tomma Thunderpaw. He is the owner of the business,” Jasmine said letting the two get acquainted better.

She stepped over into where the cats and kittens were. Instantly they raced over and nuzzled her legs while meowing for something to eat. Laughing gently the woman knelt down and petted the little ones before listening as Tomma explained what commands she would be using and how to show them. Jasmine copied each motion and spoke each command in turn. The older cats that had some training already would sit or lay down even stalk one of the smaller ones.

“The little ones will take much time and patience. Many come and buy without the training so not all will be here when you come in again,” Tomma explained to her.

“Yes, sir,” Jasmine said.

The man stepped out and went to work with the birds next. Jasmine allowed Ixzo to get in the make shift pen so that the pair could learn and teach together. The inexperience showed on the woman's face, but she did not let that stop her by any means. Taking a deep breath she centered herself before looking to the cats.

“Sit,” She said and motioned turning her hand up.

The older cats sat watching and waiting for her next command. That helped her feelings greatly to know that everything was right.

[Ixzo]

Walk, please. Of course the horses who surrounded her were growing more comfortable, as most prey did when their predator did not attack. Still, she did not know how to ride, and doubted the temporary peace between them would last with her on the beast's back.

Still, her long gate kept pace with Jasmine's Strider's slow walk, and she couldn't help but get a little excited. Sure, she did love these silly humans that surrounded her, but it had been so long since she could truly speak to her own kind, and the prospect of a bunch of kittens was thrilling. The nature for mothering had come and gone throughout the years, and while she still had much life ahead of her, she had missed her prime. Still, kittens were silly and adorable, no matter who's they were. Ixzo didn’t have to wonder if Rufio would like them too, sure that her spirited sister would love the new playmates.

Cautious of the new environment, Ixzo followed quietly behind Jasmine. She was careful with her tread, deliberately not falling into the hunter's gate, for fear of spooking the other animals. She didn’t need a fight from one who thought they were protecting their back. It was easier following in Jasmine's trail, as it was so obvious the Drykas loved her job, the exhilarated emotions rubbed off on the Kelvic easily.

Hello, Sir. She signed to the man, nodding but did not take his hand, her attention drawn to the kittens. It was amusing how easily they trusted this human, bumping heads on her calves as a sign of trust, and Ixzo realized that being born among the human would probably be the reason they trusted them so easily. Even the mother, resting in the corner, hardly looked up as if another female of her pride had simply wandered over. It was fascinating.

But what shocked her even more was when Jasmine commanded the cats to sit, some of them truly did. Ixzo's reflective gaze flew to the kittens' tails, watching for signs of irritation in their flicks, but instead only read anticipation. They were… waiting.

"How is that done?" She breathed, looking at Jasmine with a new light. She was used to seeing the woman as a novice hunter, and someone to be trained, but was suddenly aware that they were switching places. Jasmine was comfortable here, as Ixzo was on the hunt, and Ixzo was now the watcher and learner. "They listen…" Unusual. "What else they know?"

Myrian | Pavi "Speech" Sign | Common | PC/NPC "Speech" Sign

[Jasmine Stormblood]

“If I remember right the older ones will know sit, lay, stalk, calm, drop, and down. The true test is if I can remember all the signs,” Jasmine said with a smile and thought about which was next.

Making sure they were still focused Jas knelt down and gave each and treat to reinforce the command and action. Standing straight again the woman thought about the next command. Making the sign for lay with no noise caused only half to lay the rest confused. That showed some were still on the voice commands. Giving those already laying a treat the woman spoke and command and motion again getting the rest down. Some wiggled up on their bellies ready for a treat. Smiling she awarded the rest before looking to Ixzo.

“Would you like to try?” Jas asked and motioned for her to stand before them, “the older ones as you can tell have been training for a while now. The younger kittens that are beginning to train are still very impatient.”

The blonde showed her several signs. She gave Ix some treats and stepped over to work with the smaller kittens. Kneeling down and clicking her tongue a couple of times the smaller ones ran up wanting to play more than train laughing gently. The woman grabbed a string with a feather on it. Using the toy to get their attention the blonde snapped her fingers making them pay attention to her hand. Smiling the woman motioned and spoke a couple of them sat while just staring at her hand. Giving them a treat the rest followed still not totally sure what was going on, but instantly recognizing the treats.

“Down,” The woman said and flattened her hand out pushing it to the ground.

One small male kitten laid down almost entranced by the girls hand. Smiling the rewarded him causing the rest to follow suit once more. She also gave them rewards before moving to the next command. After several chimes the blonde stood up or tried to while getting feeling back in her legs. Using the toy she let the kittens have a break and play. Shaking out her lower appendages once more the lady walked over to Ixzo to see how she was coming. Standing back the woman observed as the dark skinned woman before her was almost speaking to the cats on a level that Tomma and Jasmine only wished to.

“Impressive. You have to teach me more,” Jasmine said with a smile.

Clicking her tongue the woman allowed the cats to go play and rest for a bit. Stepping out it was almost time to feed them and the other animals. Looking at Ixzo the blonde allowed her to either step out or stay with the cats.

“It is good to give them some down time to play and rest. Working them too much will cause them to loose interest. Besides it is almost time to feed them,” Jasmine explained.

[Ixzo]

Ixzo couldn't help but frown. It was unsettling to see these kittens behave this way… like… dogs. Ixzo's thoughts took on a horrified dimension as she watched the instruction. Quickly Ixzo worked to calm herself, surely this was not so bad. Dogs were horrible and annoying creatures, but perhaps these kittens were this way simply because they were raised by humans. Caiyha only knew that any animal would go soft so quickly when pampered by the humans this way. She simply wasn't used to it, she was too close to the situation.

Her flare of nervousness had alerted the mother, who likely smelled her clearly, and Ixzo found the lanky caracal sprung to her feet and sauntering over. This was her den, and as Ixzo was an intruder she quickly averted her gaze and let the mother take in her smell. Suddenly Ixzo felt the sudden pressure of a head on her arm. The soft purr from the mother was an acceptance, and Ixzo grinned, returning a trill purr of her own, smoothing one hand over the mother's forehead to show she appreciated the emotion.

Still trying to show she would listen to the mother in her own Den, Ixzo lowered her torso. She was already bent on her knees, and just laid her chest across her thighs. The youngest kittens still did not care for the humans or their silly commands and were play fighting. Enjoying the entertainment, even though she was much larger than any of them, Ixzo reached out with her fingers, tickling the air above one kitten. The young one quickly succumbed to her, flipping over and clawing at the air just below her fingers. To Ixzo's amusement, the caracal's brother was much braver, raising onto his hind legs to dig his teeth into Ixzo's thumb. She let him gnaw for a only a moment before mouthing a low yowl to him to stop. When he did not she pulled her hand away, focusing her gaze on him. The kitten was quickly uncomfortable, diving behind another young sibling to escape her gaze.

"Impressive. You have to teach me more," Ixzo sat up immediately looking back at Jasmine, just remembering she was not the only one playing with the kittens. Well, she was actually the only one playing, but they were supposed to be doing something else.

"Oh, I just play." She waved it away, the sister kit hopped up, thinking it was enough game, and Ixzo scooped her up. "They are so young." She grinned taking a deep inhale on the back of the kittens neck for the distinct scent of milk. Only there was no scent, which meant these caracals were older than she thought. "How old?" She asked Jasmine, setting the lanky kitten back down, and she immediately ran off to her brother.

"What do they eat?" Hunting now? She asked at the mention of feeding them, rising to her feet as gracefully as possible with her calves almost numb. She hobbled after Jasmine, letting the blood rush back into her legs, curious and interested to follow the Drykas. These domesticated cats were weird, and Ixzo wanted to know more, naturally.

Myrian | Pavi "Speech" Sign | Common | PC/NPC "Speech" Sign

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine helped Ixzo over the partial wall and walked towards the back. Looking over the woman thought about that question. The trainers were not known to take the kittens out on an actual hunting trip. Looking over the blonde explained about the cats learning to stalk one at a time using their food.

“We normally have the occasional rodent or small lizard caught already. Using they as a way to teach each individual cat how to stalk. When the cat is focused on the creature's we release it, after a certain distance the cat is given the signal to chase and is allowed to catch their meals. Before eating they must return and give us the animal then is allowed to eat it. That way the trainers ensure that each cat will know what to do on a hunt. Very few of the older cats are taken out on a hunt for anything bigger than maybe a few birds or squirrels, given how easily distracted they can become,” Jasmine said as they continued to walk.

The blonde woman walked over to where the smaller wild animals were kept. Or well caught mice and lizards any ways, reaching in she pulled out a rat and looked to Ixzo.

“They are about a year at oldest, this last litter now is about eight weeks of age,” Jasmine said with a smile, “if you will bring one of the older cats here for me.”

The woman prepared for the cat, looking at the feline Jasmine instantly claimed its attention. Making a sign for crouch the cat did just that watching the female's hand hearing the squeaking. With large round eyes it peered up at the girl; its eyes eclipsed while ears went down studying her. Jasmine knelt and let it get a smell for the small animal.

“Stay,” Jasmine said and signed before releasing the mouse towards the plains, “begin!”

She threw the sign, and instantly the cat shot forward easily catching up to the mouse. Watching Jasmine made a few mental notes on what would need to be worked on. Soon the cat dust rolled the rat gripping down hard on the smaller creature's throat. Soft blue eyes were looking on stern which was not normal for the woman's demeanor.

“Return!” Jasmine called in a strong voice.

The feline ran back to the woman as she knelt down. The blonde gave the sign for release, making the car put the rat down before her. With a smile the female scratched and praised the cat before offering it the rodent. Standing up the blonde looked to her companion.

“That's all there is to it. Just much repetition and patience,” Jasmine said, “now for the little ones we have a mixture of soft meat and milk for them.”

[Ixzo]

And so the oddities of these kittens continued. Her yearning to purchase one quickly turned from a simple interest in increasing her hunting profit to a maternal urge to rescue them from what she perceived to be the life of a dog. She didn't like canines for that reason, they listened so loyally to their owners, it made them dangerous. And yet, she supposed it was simply a symptom of breed animals. She had met many domesticated cats before, although very rarely did they look up to their owners in the interest of learning from them. Instead, more frequently, domesticated cats looked down on them, seeing them as stupid children who needed to be taught to survive. She had never seen it so… eagerly the opposite.

Reluctantly, Ixzo realized her thoughts were getting ahead of her. She was thinking too human. This was not fear for the kittens, surely they would be fine even if they behaved like dogs. Her fear lay more with the realization that her prideful species, felines of all types, were perhaps not always as independent as she believed they were meant to be. No, she still believed cats were meant to be independent, they had no need to rely on humans, but she would need to accept that the humans would shape anything to do as they please, the felines species included.

Ixzo still did as she was asked though, plucking an older kitten by the scruff, studiously ignoring the two kittens she had already been playing with. They seemed interested in what the older ones were doing, but Ixzo didn't want them involved. You two will be raised as dear Navre intended, I swear to it. She wanted to flick a tail to reassure them, but settled with the vow instead, returning to watch Jasmine entertain herself with doggifying her kin.

"Repetition and patience." She repeated softly, half-heartedly, claiming it as a recipe for disaster. She was a terrible actor, but in an effort to keep Jasmine from perceiving her mood about her new discoveries as disapproval, which was exactly what it was, Ixzo spoke at an audible level again with a different suggestion. It would likely be just as destructive as watching the "training" of kittens into dogs, but the lioness could not help but attempt to satiate her thirst. "You do work with [i]dogs/[i]," She could not help her disgust which accented the word, "Also?" Curious to watch.

Myrian | Pavi "Speech" Sign | Common | PC/NPC "Speech" Sign

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine got a big bowl and fixed the kittens food with a smile. The cat that had caught the mouse walked up and rubbed around the blonde's legs. As if she had not just been hunting for her evening meal. The cat sat down and licked on her paws before meowing at the blonde. Smiling she praised the cat and scratched her on the back of her head. Looking over she was surprised to hear the woman ask about the dogs. Jasmine had never noticed Ixzo take much interest in the canines before.

“Yes, I do. As well as the birds, though I don't have much experience with the feathered creatures,” Jasmine said and rubbed her head wincing.

Last time the woman had worked with the birds Tomma had to get the stubborn creature to stop pecking her. Once the food was properly mixed she walked it over the cats and stepped in. Putting it in the middle of them, she picked up the cat on the other side and returned her to the rest. With a smile Jasmine stood over to one side making sure that no fights broke out among the cats. Though fights were more common with the dogs, there was still the occasional fight between the smaller kittens.

“Tomma gets me to stay here while they eat to make sure none of the smaller kittens hurt each other while eating. Fights are more common with our canines before training, but some of our untrained cats will do it also,” the blonde explained and snapped her fingers to get two small cat's attentions.

Looking up at the woman the pair went back to eating in peace with no issue. Blowing her bangs out of the way Jasmine looked to Ixzo with a smile.

“Tell me a little more about you, Ixzo. I know we have hunted several times and are part of Azmere's pavilion, but I dont really know you all that well,” Jasmine said looking to her.