[Piramba Pet Shop] The Stench of Ambition (Solo/Training)

[Vendaril]

7th Spring, 511 The door creaked as Vendaril wearily swung it open. He had been up all night with Tao again. There was no way he was a real human Vendaril decided. A real human would succumb to weariness eventually, but Tao’s curiosity seemed insatiable. A long yawn ushered the exhausted Symenestra back to the land of the living with the tang of the perfume used to mask the pong of animals in the shop-front. Fai was already here of course, dishing out breakfast for a group of songbirds in a cage on the counter. Some animal instinct she must have picked up Vendaril guessed, she was always first in and last out of the shop – and yet her face never showed any signs of weariness. Except on payday of course. Then her brow furrowed and she nibbled her quill, reluctantly counting out the miserly sum she owed him. Not that Vendaril blamed her; he was hardly the ideal employee – lazy, poor organization, some days he just wouldn’t show up. The first of the season he would get the same speech with his kina, the importance of enthusiasm and motivation, etc. He didn’t know why she didn’t just sack him already. He liked to think she kept him as eye candy, but his gut instinct was that she simply enjoyed having someone else picking up the crap. Which of course was the Symenestra’s first duty, as Fai so kindly reminded him. Scoop in hand, Vendaril slumped off upstairs. The puppies and other juveniles were the worst - that’s why he did them first, in his half slumbering state. Because all they eat is milk he thought glumly to himself, surveying the nights mess. At least the animals were sensible enough to still be snoring at this hour. The last thing he wanted at this hour was a tiresome chase through Lhavit after some escaped parrot. Holding his breath, he set to work. As he worked, Vendaril jumpstarted his mind. Thinking was the key – thinking about anything other than the job at hand. First he tried to recall what Fai had told him last time he had shown up… Something about a load of mouse-things being delivered… Ah well, it was only mice, or pikas, or whatever she had called them. If it was important, he would find out. Next up, he practiced his Lhavitian, chatting awkwardly to the assorted critters scuffling around their nurseries. ”Hello, how do you do? Nice weather we’re having, don’t you think? What line of work are you – ahh, I just finished cleaning your pen! Dumb mutt…” Still, Fai would have something to say when she inspected if there was a speck of muck showing amongst the straw. ”How kind of you to leave such a generous gift, Mister Hound! So thoughtful.” So went his grumbling as he made his rounds about the miniature pens. Still once this was done, at least he could get a few minutes break to try and wash the stench out of his pores. Eventually the various striplings were all pooped out – Vendaril swore they saved a little just to drop once he’d cleaned their spot – and he traipsed down to the main shop-front. Tossing his stripped off gloves behind the counter (currently unmanned), he headed out the back to the water pump. There he took his time, alternating between working the pump and scrubbing his skin with an old rag soaked with the icy water. Vendaril didn’t know why he bothered, without industry standard soap he could never get the stink of faeces off, and the cold water only fueled his bad mood. Still, it was an excuse to slack off. The pale man did feel a little guilty for the way he took advantage of the kindly Lhavitian’s unwillingness to lay him off. Maybe he should start to try a little more. After all, he hardly had any excuse now – his problems with Tao were solved, and he didn’t really care what Haeli and her Kelvic companion thought of him. On top of that there was Una, that really was something. Yeah he thought, from now on I’ll care more, put my back into it. He had inadvertently tied himself down in the city of the stars, and if he were not simply pausing here between journeys, he might as well try to work his way up the ladder. First off, he’d persuade Miss Piramba to give him a raise – after all, he had improved greatly, had he not? Yeah, that’s what you’ll say, an ambitious little voice murmured happily in the back of his head. Yeah…

[Vendaril]

Having done the best he could with the frigid water, he rubbed the worst of it off with the rag, and shook his hands as he made for the goat enclosure. Whilst the breeding facilities were certainly the most horrific job on his long list, this was a close second. The shovel and wheelbarrow were where he left them, leaning against the fencing that held the bitter beasts from rampaging through Lhavit. He quickly unlatched the gate and wheeled them in, closing it swiftly behind him – the goats would take any advantage they could. The hefty shovel had certainly seen better days, it was encrusted with years of animals leavings, and smelt like a seedy tavern restroom. He felt flecks of muck on the rough haft as he drove it down into the soiled straw that served as bedding. The open air helped, whisking away the stink as soon as it reared its ugly head. Also, the leavings had a tendency to bake under the sun – no puddles of awkward gloop as was frequent back in the breeding center. The goats themselves were keeping their distance tonight, eyeing him with suspicion. There was a time when they would toy with him, butting him around the enclosure and delivering devastating kicks. Eventually he snapped, and ended up having to pay Fai for a new goat – after he got back from his probation. A new alpha male had risen in the herd, but he had learned the lesson of his predecessor and kept his grudging distance. Vendaril was glad, he hadn’t much enjoyed the texture of goat – it’s tough meat didn’t dissolve properly. The beasts and him had reached an unspoken agreement, they needed him to clean up their mess and he needed them to get paid. Vendaril loaded up the first barrowful, and began carting it out. There was a large collection of used sacks collected at the shop, very useful for storing manure before it could be used as fertilizer. There was a large collection stored here from the winter in preparation for the spring, and the sowing of seeds. The first bag the Symenestra came upon had been worn through, and had to be disposed of. It took a while for him to find a suitable holder of crap. Many journeys later, and all the outdoor pens were cleared with new bedding lain out. Vendaril collapsed at the back door of the shop, wiping the sweat from his brow. He would be the first to admit the job was a lot more physically exerting than he had expected when he agreed to take it on. He was just pleased he hadn’t taken taken that job at the Okomo Villa – at least here he could slack off and run the counter for an hour or so when things got tiresome. One bonus about working with the goats was that he had a unique opportunity to study the animals before hunting them on his days off outside in the wilderness. He had learned to recognize the weight, gender, and even social ranking of a particular specimen just from the print it left in the dirt. On top of that, he had begun to notice the effect a limp may have on the prints, implying illness or injury. On occasion the hunter had observed the prey consuming a particular weed that had escaped attention so far with relish. This weed was relatively common outside the city, often growing in large patches. Vendaril had used this to his advantage a few times, noting the spots where the plant had recently been cropped down to the roots, and searched around the immediate area, usually finding the culprit within the hour. He found himself hunting less nowadays though; goat just wasn’t worth the effort of stalking. He now hunted only to hone his skills, to keep in practice rather than out of lust for the prize. After a good half-hours rest, Vendaril heaved himself up. He lumbered into the shop, hoping to be able to take Fai’s place at the counter. It was a false hope though, for as he entered the front room, he found Fai lurching in the door. She was lurching as she was toting an immense wire cage. She plonked it down by the front window, and noticed Vendaril standing there, curiosity evident on his face. ”Well don’t just stand there – I have fifty confused pikas in a cart outside, not to mention two more cages and a whole heap of food that needs to get in here!” Having handed over the manual labor to the resident slave, she settled herself behind the counter again. Vendaril sighed. Though he had not fully understood her Lhavitian, her tone was evident enough that there were things that needed carrying, and that she’d be damned it was her lugging them in when she had a perfectly serviceable farmhand available. He dragged his feet as he made his way out onto the street to the waiting cart and its restless driver. The driver locked eyes suspiciously with the Symenestra, loathing glowing evidently from him. Apparently he was not a local, the Lhavitians tended to be rather tolerant of Vendaril’s presence, or at least hid their disgust. ”The animals, they are in the back?” The lack of an answer confirmed it – this man was not from around here. Reverting to common, Vendaril repeated the question. “Yeah, they’re there. Not for eating. Keep your hands away from ‘em.” Wincing at the stereotype being forced upon him, Vendaril replied: “I beg your pardon, I am an employee of Miss Piramba’s. I am to escort the pikas inside, and I would like your cooperation, if you would be so kind.” The cab driver responded with nothing more than a grunt, and pointedly turned away. Vendaril sighed, and headed to the back of the wagon.

[Vendaril]

What greeted him there was a great commotion. A large wicker cage withheld a multitude of tiny mouse-like creatures, squirming and struggling. They didn’t look confused, so much as furious. Next to this sat two wire cages identical to that which Fai had brought inside minutes earlier, as well as a couple of gigantic sacks, housing the food, Vendaril guessed. He decided to leave the actual animals for last, hefting one of the cages into his arms first. Its size was deceiving – it was actually rather light. It was however rather ungainly, and he had trouble manipulating it though the door. By the time he had maneuvered the last one inside and placed it by the others, he had worked up a light sweat again. Next up – the burlap sacks, and they were a whole other story. As he raised the first in his arms, Vendaril felt as if they would burst out of their sockets. How much food can those rodents need? Vendaril wondered, though he would later discover the answer was not much, due to their unendearing habit of consuming their own faeces. He had to square his shoulders and heave with all his might, just to get the cursed thing to shift. Eventually he managed to heft it out of the cart, carrying it with both arms wrapped tight around the bottom, moving with a waddling motion towards the front door. The cart driver was not impressed. The pika feed was eventually deposited in the back room of the store, and Vendaril was taking a breather before setting to work on the animals themselves. Even as he made his way out of the shop, he could hear their high pitched calls. As he came back out onto the street, the piercing noise became almost unbearable. They were evidently sick of being shut in their basket. He hauled the quivering mass into his arms, and took a moment to steady himself. He felt the wicker cage dripping, and screwed up his face, a low groan darting from his lips. All the befouled Symenestra could do was hold the basket as far from him as he could, waiting for the worst to run out before he continued on into the shop. He personally didn’t want to be soaked in urine, and he doubted his employer would tolerate any mess on the floor as he carried the pikas in. Not to mention, any mess would be cleaned by Vendaril, so he had a double incentive to ensure the beasts were well drained before heading in. The beasts were placed ungraciously on the floor next to their future homes. Only now that they were inside did Vendaril note the stink emanating from the animals. These animals couldn’t be worse, he thought, biting back on his gag impulse. At least Fai deemed him worthy of aid when it came to rehousing the rodents. She would carefully inch the lid off the basket, whilst Vendaril prepared himself to grab any escapees. ”Be vigilant,” she warned him. ”The pikas are extremely fast, and if any go missing it will come out of your salary.” Without waiting to acknowledge the replying scowl, she darted one hand in, grabbed a pika, and whipped it out again, pressing the basket shut again with her free hand. Vendaril opened the side hatch of the nearest cage while she did this, and as soon as the pika was out of one prison, it was back in another. It let out an earsplitting squeal and dashed around the new enclosure, thoroughly terrified. Vendaril couldn’t blame it – he imagined a giant hand reaching down and plucking him from the ground like that, and shuddered. The rest of the pikas were relocated with little incident, a few managed to wriggle free from Miss Piramba’s well trained grasp, and led Vendaril on a quick chase around the shop. This happened just frequently enough to prevent him relaxing – he suspected Fai a little of allowing them to escape, just to test his reflexes. Still, he didn’t feel he did badly, and when the borrowed basket was eventually emptied and returned to the coach (which sped off as soon as its remaining luggage was secured) Fai gave him a smile – a rare occurrence for him. He returned with a toothy grin of his own. ”You may leave now,” she said warmly. ”I can groom the dogs for you. Thank you for your help with the pikas. You will be here tomorrow, yes?,” Vendaril frowned a little, matching the individual Lhavitian words to their Common counterparts. ”Uh, yes. Thank you very much, I – argh, I am happy to help. ” He mentally smacked himself. Happy to help? It was his job! Fai was certainly giving him a funny look… ”Yes, well, you may go now.” With this she turned and headed out through the back. Vendaril turned the opposite direction, and left the building. His tiredness caught up with him as he strode down the hill, almost stepping in the puddle that had gathered where the delivery cart had been parked. As soon as I get home, he told himself, I shall have a good days sleep. Then in the morning, I shall head out before work to wash this damn piss off in some pool. Good gods I stink…

[Ophelia]

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Thread Award. ‎‎<3 ‎ ‎EXPERIENCE.‎ ‎+1 Bodybuilding ‎LORES.‎ Lhavitian (Basic)‎ Cleaning out poop Goats Weeds around Lhavit Rude drivers Pikas ‎ADDITIONAL NOTES.‎ Hi Ven Can I just say, Ven with pikas is so cute? I love your writing, and you certainly kept that entire thing interesting. I gave you the bodybuilding for being a manly man and lifting the sack of grain. PM Kelpie and ask for a SS thread. Congrats on being paid! ‎Don't hesitate to pm me with questions, queries, or anything else!‎ Love,‎ Ophelia <3

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