Closed A First Encounter

[Artimus Arkham]

30th of Summer, 513 Artimus spent the first hour of his time in the city simply wandering around aimlessly. The welcoming party he ran into when he first arrived was certainly not the last Akalak he had ran into since his arrival, but the race as a whole appeared to be much friendlier than he had heard. At least, busier if nothing else. His first thoughts were to find an inn and secure a place to stay for a season, but he couldn't seem to tear himself away from the beauty that surrounded him. The second level especially with its many water works appealed to him. Regardless, he had started a journey upwards and felt somewhat compelled to carry on. Perhaps he'd find an inn after getting a view from the top. Oooh a park! That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps a short break from climbing is in order anyway. His thoughts strayed as he looked at a sign pointing towards Semele park. He turned away from the multitude of stairs in favor for the slightly more level ground leading towards the park. He could see the entrance up ahead and made his way towards it casually. His glances flicked towards the various Akalaks at work or play all around him, cautiously noting their actions. Upon entering the park, he read the writing engraved on a stone platform describing the history and creation of Semele park. Nifty! He couldn't decide where to go first. All the plants and flowers here looked unreal. The three mile hike didn't sound very appealing at the moment, knowing he still had a lot more walking to do before the day was done. So for a few minutes, he simply stood there at the entrance, contemplating.

[Iriene Padfoot]

30 Summer 513 The dark furred fox scampered through the streets in a panicked flurry. She knew that most Kelivics were treated as nothing more then pets in here and the fact she had entered without registering caused dismay for herself. As far as they would be concerned if she shifted back now it would be on more reason to kick her out of Riverfall, or worse enslave her. Her small framed body shivered from the thought of being chained up and used for such purposes. Akalak's while respectable were also well know for their insatiable search for woman to breed with and if she had came to the gate nude and asking permission she was sure they would have taken her off right then and there. Without stopping to glimpse at the various building, Iriene scampered about the streets running in between an individuals legs who had just walked int Semele Park. She sprinted off and stood beside one of the flower arrangements before looking back ears perked from the words he had said. She let out as quiet moan as she stared back at the stranger. Then she burrowed in between some of the flowers. Turning about with her snout and two emerald eyes glistening in the arrangement of vegetation. Lying against the cool damp dirt her fur lining her stomach began to grow moist and cold. Her eyes continuing to stare up at the man. A slight whimpering howl escaped her sealed mouth as she backed further into the plants.

[Artimus Arkham]

Artimus Arkham Hmmm. Maybe I should.. Suddenly a critter scampered between his legs. "What the?!" His exclamation quieted as he recognized the critter to be a fox. At least, it looked like a fox from what he saw. The thing was running rather fast for a startled Arty to pay too much attention to. He watched the furred thing scamper into a nearby flower patch and continued to watch in simple amusement for another moment after it somewhat disappeared. "Hey there little fella." Arty crept forward, slowly and with hands wide open in the least threatening pose he could muster. He wasn't familiar with the mentality of animals and he's never really been successful at this game of lure and catch, but he tried again anyway. He approached the flower patch, trying his best not to be distracted by the gem like flowers and multitude of colors that hid the creature. "Oh. I bet I know what you want." He took a step back allowing the creature some space as he changed his movements up a bit. Slinking his right shoulder down and pulling the left strap of his back pack, he removed the bag. Digging into it for a moment, he pulled out the wrapped rations within. He tore off a bit of jerky, sniffing it and placing it into his own mouth. Then he tore off another piece and lightly lobbed it to rest at the edge of the flower patch. "Are you hungry?"

[Iriene Padfoot]

Iriene Padfoot Lying amongst the flowers she closed her eyes as the individual began to talk at her. She knew exactly who he was looking at but she was still a bit frightened as her paws slowly clamped down over her shut eyes. Letting out a somewhat skittish whine Iriene lied their her furry coat continuing to get more and more soggy as she lied there somewhat petrified. With her eyes covered only her snout stuck out from the vibrant rainbow of flowers. Her ears twitched from the mans gentle voice trying to put her weary mind at ease. Paws sliding down of her face her eyes once again shimmered in the flower bed. As his feet grew closer her body began to shiver both from the thought of what he was planning should he catch her as well as the water cooling her body off. Terror took over her thoughts as her body sunk further into the bed of flowers, making sure not to disrupt their beauty. His approach stopped causing her to let out a joyful yip. Her eyes followed the mans hands forcing her to sneak back to the edge of the flowers to keep them in view. Her dirt covered coat and head were now visible as she peeked out from the flowers. The contents he then removed from his backpack caused a small amount of slobber drip from her mouth. She hadn't eaten to recently and was more then willing to take free food. She wasn't concerned at that point of what he would do because her stomach was gargling for a pinch of the jerky he had. Understanding the offer she pounced out from the flowers at his feet slowly trying to lift herself up to the jerky in his hand.

[Artimus Arkham]

Artimus Arkham "Hehe." He chuckled to himself. In his mind, this whole occurrence was simply too adorable. The look upon the foxes face, the way it wolfed down the bit of jerky he gave up, and its approach towards the food in his hand told him that this critter was indeed hungry. Not wanting to scare it off, he placed the piece in his hand down on the ground directly in front of him and pulled his hand away. The rest of the jerky would be torn into bite sized bits and then held out to the fox, cupped in his left hand. "Hmm. Where did you come from?" Arty glanced at the creature's neck in search for a collar of some sort. "No owner? Perhaps you're wild?" He wasn't familiar with the health concerns of wild animals but he didn't spot any white foam coming from her mouth as the rumors of rabies foretold there would be. "You don't eat people, do you little one?" He dared to reach out with his right hand, attempting to touch the critter behind her head, scratching lightly on her neck.

[Iriene Padfoot]

Iriene Padfoot Her long slender coat began to ease back down from it's frilled state. She scarfed down the slice of jerky she was offered trembling backward from the chukcle that the man released keeping a bit of distance between them. Her stomach still growled as the jerky made it down her throat. Another bite sized piece was plopped down before her. Looking back and forth as she approached the meat again she began to gripped anothe piece in her teeth chewing up another slab of the meat. Although her frightened mind was telling her to skedaddle she continued forward till her face was above the cupped hand of bits. Her snout nudged against his cupped fingers as her tongue lapped out against the pieced licking them and his hand in the process. Slowly she would eat one piece at a time taking a seat before him. Her ears perked again as he asked the question. She could answer him but not like this, not without changing back and making it completely obvious that she was in fact a kelvic, which were commonly used as slaves and she didn't want that type of life. Besides her mouth was already occupied with the little bits of jerky that were so kindly offered to her. The little damp head was buried in his hand content with his food. Her ears folded down as his hand began to touch against her head and scratch. Edging away a bit she whined slightly, she was still starving but she wasn't really sure of what to do. Approaching the hand once again she would once again nibble as his hand no doubt continued it's scratching.

[Artimus Arkham]

Artimus Arkham He noted her hesitance and more importantly her wanting to retreat when he reached out for her. Sure, she had stayed ultimately, but he felt it was completely due to the food and not a desire to be touched. Speaking of food, his hand was quickly becoming empty. He pulled away his right hand from her fur. Looking at his palm and the moisture dripping off it now from her coat, he frowned. "You're soaked, little one." He glanced to the sky. The sun was hot and shone through light clouds, so he wasn't concerned about any temperature complications, it was summer after all. "Well then." He wiped his hand off on the grey fabric of his trousers. "I suppose I should get you something more to eat if you're going to keep at it like this. You must be starved." As the jerky was licked clean from his palm he checked in his bag once more. He pulled out a cloth wrapped fist sized portion of smoked, salted pork. A smiled formed and he held the meat above her head for a moment, lifting it up and out of reach should she go to bite at it. "Well, little one, if I'm going to continue feeding you, I need to know that you've got a safe place to eat. For that matter, I need a safe place to eat. What do you say we go inn hunting?" Arty didn't expect the animal to understand anything he was saying, but he was already more than happy with the limited interaction he has had to this point. As a further temptation for the beast, he pinched off a speck of the pork and dropped it straight above her head, allowing it to fall towards her snout. He stood then and lifted his bag, slinging it back over his shoulders. "Are you coming, little one?" At first, he back peddled, his boots barely making a noise as he was slowly moving and keeping a close eye on Iriene's actions. "I'll keep you safe. A bowl of food and a room to play in for as long as you'd like."

[Iriene Padfoot]

Iriene Padfoot As the little bites began to disappear one by one her head ducked down to the ground finally realizing all the food was gone, his hand pulling away from her head. She then thought of his hand he wiped off. She then shook herself out a bit, drips splattering about the ground as her coat shined with the light making its way to the garden. Watching him look up to the sky, Iriene mimicked his action staring up at the sun. As he spoke again she shuffled backward a few steps. Hearing the fact he was going to continue to fee her made her eye perk up. Tongue hanging down from her snout hung over her teeth a gentle panting could be heard. And if that wasn't enough she then saw the cloth that smelt of salted perk causing her to once again to partially stand up on her two back feet reaching up a bit past his knee. She then whimpered as the food elevated out of her reach. Inn hunting. She then realized that the other food wouldn't come till he found someplace to stay. Falling back down to all fours she walked a bit ahead of him to the entrance of the park. Her head cocked back over her body as she looked back as if questioning whether the food was worth it. The food was tempting enough as she found herself turning around once again from the entrance and sitting down at his feet. Another whine escaped from her as she looked up to him. As he pinched off another bite she opened wide catching it with her tongue licking against the end of her snout. The words he ended on as he back peddled to her rang out in her head. I will keep you safe. Getting back up to all four she walked up to the back of his leg and stared up to his face as appose to the food. Eyes glistening. after staring up at him she lied down on the grass below him eyes beading up into his. She didn't look like she would bite at him.

[Artimus Arkham]

Artimus Arkham Artimus continued back peddling fully expecting the animal to retreat, that is, until she flopped down on the ground. He stopped then and watched her. If there were any one thing that was a complete weakness for him, it was innocence. He practically melted at the furred cuteness that laid before him. Bending down, he reached out once more to pet the critter, followed shortly after with another torn bit of meat. "Well, you're welcome to follow me, little one, or..." His voice trailed off as he considered the possibility of his next thought. "I suppose I could carry you if you'd prefer." He extends his arms out and down low, allowing for her to easily place herself onto them should she choose to do so. Regardless, he'd stand once more a few moments later and turned towards the exit. He'd walk a normal pace, keeping his eyes constantly glancing towards his new friend. The meat would be held close to her mouth if she had decided to hop into his arms. Otherwise, he'd tear small bits off and toss them to her as they walked away in the direction of the Citizenship, Housing, and Labor Aide Office.

[Iriene Padfoot]

Iriene Padfoot Her eyes stared back in a dim pitiful demeanor. Then the next piece of meat was tossed down causing her to raise back to all fours. She nudged her head against his hand fully content with feeding her hungry stomach by all means necessary, and he seemed quite gullible to her cute woodland form. She looked as his arms came down ready to embrace her should she decide. Slowly she stepped into his arms getting comfortable in his embrace. Her soft black fur scrunched against him as she allowed him to carry her ecstatic that she was now on the same level of the food. As they walked along the roads once again starting their path for an Inn of the man's choice she would continue to nuzzle her face into the smoked meat near her mouth. Should she be allowed to eat all of it she would have then lied in his arms content with her new friend. Lackadaisically she began to close her eyes while sitting in Artimus's arms. As they walked she would nuzzle her snout down into his shoulder, She was reasonably small still no bigger then a newborn as she began to place a paw upon his shoulder her tongue lapping against his ear.