Flashback Taking Home the Right One

[Sebastion]

Taking Home the Right One 11th of Spring 509 A.V. Unity circle was a constant source of fascination for the little clay man. Of course he hadn't been in Mura for very long, but he simply couldn't get over the combination of aquatic plant life and architecture. It was as if these watery women were completely unified within their environment, a trait which the ever shifting Pycon could envy. Today he was perched atop the shoulder of a kind young Konti who was coming to the market to pick up jewelry as a gift. She had beautifully woven baskets to offer in trade, and Shim had been engaged in a conversation about the plant she used to make the baskets. They looked like simple reeds, yet the color of the plants when dried had the variation in color of a rainbow. She explained that they were all the same plant, but how she had to travel all across the island to harvest the different hues, only adding to the impressiveness of the creation. Her kindness reflected the gentle nature of all the women of the island, who would never say no to the little Pycon hitching a ride in order not to be trod on and to make his trip a bit shorter. Once they reached the heart of Unity Circle, Shim insisted that her hospitality had been enough and set off on foot, staying close to the edges of the stalls in order to avoid any unnecessary stepping. If an aroma or a glimpse of a sculpture or weapon excited him, he merely had to ask to be lifted up to the table to examine it further. Everyone was so kind and polite, and though he didn't buy anything (it is a difficult thing to carry Mizas with you when a single one tires you out), he would often engage in deep conversations about the nature of the supplies, how they were made and the time and process it took in their creation. Many beings who would engage in talks of this subject matter would do it out of polite interest, but for the Pycon, it was a source of fascination. Learning, even about things he may never get the chance to attempt, fascinated him to no end, and the Pycon was determined to fill his mind with as many bits of information and knowledge as possible in his short life, so he never wasted any time. The majority of his day was spent thusly, chatting it up with the traders and store owners in great length. It was when Syna had passed her zenith in the sky, and had begun the slow descent to make way for Leth's silver glory that Shim saw them, or rather...heard them: Dogs. Their barking was severely muted in all of the noises consuming Unity Circle, but it was unmistakable as Shim drew closer. The set of kennels set up so that any passerby could glimpse the full repertoire of canines at the trader's disposal. It was clearly a temporary set up of a trader from outside Mura, perhaps from Zeltiva since Mura relied so heavily on their exports. He was a young and round faced man with a couple young pups in his lap who were being quite well behaved despite the fact that they were getting all the attention a young dog could ever want. Shime approached just as a group of Konti youths, giggling and fawning over the puppies were beginning to retreat from the booth, and he cleared his throat in order to get the man's attention. "Shim sees you have a fine stock of beasts at your disposal, ser." His voice was deep, and much louder than his half foot stature would otherwise indicate. The man glanced around for a moment before his eyes found the Pycon upon the ground at his feet, and two pairs of dull black eyes glanced curiously with their owner at the clay man. "Why thank you, little one. I work very hard to maintain an excellent level of breeding and training in my dogs, and have never had a disappointed customer. Are you looking for some companionship? I have some smaller dogs that might suit you." He rose, placing both pup on the table. One finger indicating they were to stay and the young pups lay down, tails gently wagging as they observed the proceedings. The man went to the back of the kennels and returned carrying a small long haired dog Shim recognized as a Trubliss. The dog hopped over to the Pycon, lowering its snout to his head and giving him a lick. Shim laughed. "Actually, I have been looking for a way to move about Mura more easily, and perhaps a dog is just the thing I need, however, I wonder if you have a larger breed more suited to riding?" The man smiled a bit and held up a finger. "I have just the dog for you little one." It turned out the man was a dog trainer first and a breeder second, he had several mutts as well as pure breeds specifically trained for various purposes, but generally training a dog for riding was a very intense task considering the small demand. Most people required horses, not dogs, so this man only had one canine fit for such a duty, and what a canine she was. Black as night, tall and proud with a shining coat, Shim was instantly besotted with the Zypherian Sled Dog that the man led from out of one of the kennels. She was calm, undisturbed by all the hub bub and nonsense going on in the square. Just like everyone, it took her a moment to notice the Pycon there before her. When she did, ears became pricked with curiosity, and she padded slowly forward. Her nose extended outwards, but did not touch the Pycon, only draw very near. After a long moment dog studying Pycon, clay man studying dog, Shim extended one small hand and brushed the tip of the Sled Dog's nose. She gave a little snuffle in response, pulling it back, then thrusting her whole muzzle into the Pycon, bodily bowling him over and showering him with licks that made his skin slick and slippery. Heel! Instantly the dog ceased her attack and sat back down. Even as the man began apologizing Shim was laughing, unable to get up. When he collected himself, a smile reaching much too far across his face consumed his features. "Is it a he or a she?" "She." "Well she is absolutely wonderful, and she is trained?" The man nodded in the affirmative, sitting down to explain how the sled dog had been trained extensively in voice commands as well as physical movements like a tap on the shoulder or the nudge of a side, much like one would a horse. She was highly intelligent, as most Sled Dogs were found to be, and though she had a playful side, knew when one had to be serious. For the next bell or so, Shim mounted the canine and was given basic instructions on how to guide the dog around using verbal and physical commands. She did not require any sort of halter or saddle, but in order to carry supplies she would require them. Once this was complete, Shim was able to ride the dog back to his home to collect the appropriate payment for her, talking to her all the way of the great adventures they would have together. She didn't respond in any way, but Shim noticed her tail wagged happily when he talked, and took this as a good sign. Still atop the dog Shim gave the man his payment, both thanking the other profusely for what they had been given before departing. Just as he was about to leave, the Pycon realized something extremely important, and turned his head 180 degrees to address the trader. "Excuse me, ser, but does Shim's new companion have a name?" The man shook his head, smiling at the Pycon. "That's for you to give her little one, I'm sure it will be a good one." Shim used his newly found knowledge to guide the Zypherian Sled Dog from the Circle. A gentle nudge here, a whispered word there and the dog wove expertly through the amassed crowds out into the less busy parts of Mura. After a while Shim ceased speaking, riding in content silence and using just his feet to guide the dog along. It would take getting used to, and several times he made her take a turn he didn't mean to, but since he had nowhere to be the two wove down a long scenic set of roads and trails, eventually arriving at the Silver Lake. Here Shim stopped the dog and she lowered herself to the ground so he could more easily slide off onto the ground. During this journey he had taken the problem of a name into serious consideration and now made his way around the large dog in order to face her for the serious conversation at hand. "Shim find names very important, so he believes you should get one immediately. He has been thinking upon this trip of names to give a large beautiful canine such as yourself, and has come up with a list he would like to run by you." The dog gave him a blank look that seemed to beckon for him to continue. Shim cleared his throat, which sounded a bit like gravel rubbing against itself. "Lark." The dog snorted. "Shadow." She growled softly. "Obsidian." The pretentiousness of this name spoke for itself and dog said nothing, the Pycon knowing exactly how she felt. It had just been an idea after all. "Swift foot." A derisive snort followed this one. "Patience." If the dog had an eyebrow it would have been up in incredulity at this suggestion. "Alright alright, I had one other idea, but i don't think you'll like it either."The dog stared silently at him with deep dark eyes, encouraging him to continue. "Well, Shim knows your breed initially comes from Taldera, which is cold, very cold, so cold Shim's clay would probably crack and chip, but that's besides the point. Your fur is long to survive from there, and Shim thought....well...the first thing he thought of calling you was...Snowflake, which is stupid because you are not even white, you are giant and black and nothing like a snowflake at all, but it still seemed nice and beautiful and unique, like you surely are, and Shim wanted something fitting for his great new friend who will surely keep him company for many years to come...so....what do you think?" Through most of this tiny tirade Shim's head had been askew, making sure to keep his gaze away from the large dog, not wanting to see her surely negative reaction. When he finally got the courage to look up, however, she was laying down, mouth open, lolling happily at the idea of being named after a snowflake. Shim was utterly delighted. He clapped his hands together and dashed to the dog, wrapping his tiny arms around her neck. Snowflake lay her head over his and the two new companions stayed in that moment for a chime before Shim broke free, wishing he had tear ducts to express his happiness at finding a friend after such a long time utterly alone. Then the two sat looking out over Silver Lake, Pycon nestled comfortably between Snowflake's front paws, watching Syna descend in the sky thoughts of the future and possibilities filling both of their heads.