Closed [The Sanctuary] A Friend in the Garden(Copper)

[Lyn'nice]

5th of Summer 514 AV Lyn'nice was checking on some of the plants in the garden. As she often did a few of her own potted plants sat in the sunlight. She made sure all the plants had enough water and checked the soil for abnormalities via her Konti gift. Everything was looking good, no grubs or other tiny pests. The soil's levels had shifted some Lyn'nice thought, she had it all written down. Later she'd have to check her books to confirm though... She sighed dropping to the ground for a rest. Everyday she could do less and less without getting winded. This child, would be a force to be reckoned with. No matter what career this child took. She knew now that there was little chance that the baby would be a Konti. That was good for her Nakivak pay. It had to be a boy, an Akalak. In some ways it was sad, he was going to be raised more by Van and the other men than her. It was so hot too! Lyn'nice looked to the water source where she filled her water pot. She got to her feet made her way to it and dunked her head in the water. She sat back down with a grunt.

[Copper]

Copper padded through the Sanctuary, on four legs today instead of two. The sun was warm on his back and it soaked into his long dark fur, radiating through him almost to the point of discomfort. His tongue lolled and he panted quietly, head low as he milled about, going nowhere in particular but watching everything. His long ears twitched as he listened to the sounds of bustling life in the facility. Chickens, horses, and cows to name only a few. The other animals seemed to be enjoying the start of summer just as much as he was. Not only that, but it marked the first season he would be completely recovered from his attack in the spring. His energy had returned and the residual pains in his recovering fractures were now just an unpleasant memory. It had been a stepping stone to this new life, and he was just glad to be alive. His days now were filled with work and exploration. He helped Larik watch the herd in the Sea, guarding the Sanctuary when inside its walls, and had by some twist of fate ended up as kennel master, per Kavala's request. He was happy with the tasks he had, and went about them with renewed energy and intensity. Now he was technically taking a break, but his wandering had turned into a sort of patrol. The Imperial Watchers were rubbing off on him, and he on them. He suspected they would be an odd mix one day. Dogs intended to guard now hunting, and a dog intended to hunt now guarding. He licked his nose loudly, tipped back his head, and sniffed the air experimentally. His little circuit had brought him close the herb garden, where he could smell the rich soil and the immense range of plants they grew here. A splash of water caught his attention, and he moved closer to the sound. There sat a Konti--a stranger, which didn't surprise him--heavy with child and looking ponderous. He didn't encroach on the mother's space, but stayed back and alerted her with a quiet bark. It was high and curious, and both ears stood tall and alert. He hadn't made it a point to search out and get to know everyone here yet. The Kelvic had gravitated to his own kind--Kavala's niece and nephew--while he'd been recovering, but now he felt ready to seek out the others. This woman was obviously one of them. Her pale hands were smudged with soil and even from where he stood she smelled like plants. Mint and dandelion were the two he could pick out on his own.

[Lyn'nice]

Lyn'nice turn toward the sound of a bark and found a dog she hadn't seen before. It wasn't any of the ones Kavala bred. She turn how she sat now facing the dog. She watched it for sometime, before smiling and chuckling to herself. It was well behaved, she'd give it that. Finding a dog was just enough of a surprise to knock Lyn'nice's train of thought off it's tracks. She soon found the thoughts of checking the gardens stats fading. It was a good thing the garden had already been watered or that might of been forgotten too. However Lyn dealt with plants and even though the Sanc had dogs she rarely was around them. Could she just call him over? Getting to her feet she beckoned the dog over, "C'mere, get something to drink. You have to be on fire having a darker coat." Lyn'nice got an idea and picked up her water pot. "C'mere let's get you cooled off!" She just hoped no one minded the wet dog smell...But no one could complain it was in the dog's best interest, poor thing could have a heatstroke. When the two choices were heatstroke or wet dog. Wet dog always won out. Always. But would it come over to her? The dog obviously seemed interested in her. However it could change it's mind. Or it could of barked to warn her of what it thought was it's territory. There were millions of reasons why it had barked, she hoped it had just been saying 'hi' and was indeed friendly.

[Copper]

It wasn't out of the ordinary at all for people to think he was a normal dog, and so it didn't surprise him when she talked to him like one. Still, he didn't hesitate to come over and investigate. He was hot, and a drink would be nice. She was beautiful like every Konti he'd seen seemed to be, though he count those on one hand. The difference with her was her short hair. The pale bobbed framed the delicate scales on her face, creating a pleasant and youthful effect. If it weren't for her pregnant belly he would think she was young. Really though, he couldn't guess her age. Copper's tail wagged slowly and he sat on his haunches within arm's reach. His nose stretched toward her, twitching as he took in her scent. She smelled like the garden but also the ocean, much like Kavala carried the scent of sea and horse with her. They looked like they could have been sisters in a way. Both had the beautiful scales, pale skin and hair, and soft features. The Kelvic licked his chops and again began to pant. She held the water pot in her hands, but he didn't want to crowd her. His tail thumped the dirt twice before settling, and he watched her with curious, intelligent eyes. If anything they asked her, "I'm here. Now what?"

[Lyn'nice]

Lyn'nice smile as the dog came over, "Good..erm.." She gave the dog a quick gender check. "...Boy! Good boy! Can....Can I pet you? You don't mind do you? My name is Lyn'nice or Lyn or Lynnie." She passed the water pot to her new friend. "Drink up!" It was funny how easy it was to speak with animal a lot like talking to plants, but you got some responds from animals. "Your back's all hot, boy. I might get in trouble for making the Sanc smell like wet dog... But let's cool you down!" She carefully splashed water on the dog's back. "Worst comes to worst, I'll just have to give you a bath, right?" She laughed. "I'm gonna have to find who owns you. Ask them your name." She got to her feet "I still have some work to do in the garden, you're more than welcome to join me. I just have to check some of the plants, see if any need to be harvested for Caelum."

[Copper]

Copper would've smiled if he had lips. This Konti was so bubbly and energetic. He couldn't have her thinking he was a stray through, or a common pet. She'd be hunting for a lifetime for an owner that didn't exist, nor would ever exist. Instead he quenched his thirst with the cool water and let her splash his dark back. It felt good on his warm fur, and he let it drop down his belly and legs. Then, in a swirl of golden light, he shifted. In a short beat there was no longer a dog but a tall man, naked and with a dripping wet buttocks. The Kelvic smiled apologetically and spoke in careful, heavily accented Common. "It is enjoyable to meet with Lyn." His grammar was poor and the words were odd. Copper's disuse of the language showed. "My name is Copper. Kelvic, not pet. Okay mistake though. Sorry for confusion. I thank you for water. Think not anyone minds smell." Copper watched her reaction carefully to be sure he hadn't startled her. He knew he'd surprised more than one person by changing forms. "Sorry if startled," he continued. "Caelum is the Eth, yes? Friend of many here?" He'd heard the name from Kavala, and she'd explained he was some everlasting creature that shape shifted at night into a human man. This Konti knew him as well. Copper was curious. He looked forward to meeting this Caelum. The Kelvic smiled again, showing off long, sharp teeth. Some found it unpleasant. "I can still help in garden?" He hoped she wasn't put off.

[Lyn'nice]

Lyn'nice fell back onto her rear. She stared, then decided staring at a naked man wasn't a good idea. She looked away with her face streaked red. She had NOT been expecting this! She should of considered this though, Kelvics were everywhere at the Sanctuary. Still she looked away, Kevic or not. There was a naked man standing in all his glory in front of her. He WAS a gorgeous man with deep brown eyes and hair that curled perfectly. He...was very handsome. "Umm..Wow, that caught me off guard... It's nice to meet you, Copper was it? Hehe, you surprised me." She got back to her feet. "Oh the water? No problem being out in this heat everybody. Man or animal need water." She smiled and laughed, "Now you'll smell like wet human! But honestly, you have such dark fur why were you out in the sun? I-It's alright I tend to startle pretty easily. Yeah, Caelum is an Eth he's also my teacher. I study how to use plants to help people who are sick. I'm a healer, see?" She showed Copper her arm covered in swirls that seemed to sprout from her Undanas. As Copper smiled Lyn'nice could help but smile too. Her own some-what sharp teeth showing. "Sure you can help, but you might want to cover your manly bits or you'll be covered in dirt in places you don't want it."

[Copper]

When Lyn fell onto her backside, Copper moved to help her, but paused when she looked away. Her pale face had gone red, and she stuttered when she finally spoke. The Kelvic smiled apologetically and helped the pregnant Konti to her feet. "I am sorry," he comforted quickly. "Not mean to startle. Happen often. I was on walk, taking break. I guard and hunt. Work dogs--not long though. Fairly new. Came in spring." When she explained her job and showed him the mark on her arm, he examined it with interest. "Many healers like Kavala. I know not healing, but help where can. Glad to help now. What is on arm?" He was still learning new things every day. After being so unknowingly sheltered in Endrykas, the Sanctuary was like an entirely new world, though with many similarities to home. Kavala's Endrykas upbringing was rooted into the very core of this place. It had made the transition surprisingly easy. Confusion was clear on his face when the Konti made her last statement. The Kelvic's head tilted in a very canine manner, and his mouth twisted questioningly. "Manly... bits?" He didn't know what those words were in Common. He understood the gist of the rest at least. "Can dress if you wish. Clothes in my room though--must fetch. Do not mind dirt. Often work like this." Copper motioned to his bare chest.

[Lyn'nice]

Lyn'nice took Copper's hand and got back to her feet. No one had told her to expect random naked encounters when she first came here. Yeah, that needed to be added to the job qualifications, 'And how are you with random naked people?' She couldn't help but think most people wouldn't take the job then, maybe that was the reason it wasn't mentioned or Kavala enjoyed watching people's reactions to the Kelvics who bared all. "It's okay, like I said I startle easily. It's not your fault." She listened to Copper speak, sure it was a bit fragmented. But she could understand him. "Oh, you came in spring and you work with the dogs? Sounds good to me. Do you plan to stay here for good?." He asked about her arm, "Well see the swirls? It's a marking given to me by a deity. A creature higher up and smarter than humans or any race for that matter. This mark or gnosis, let's me heal people and animals. But Kavala's is stronger than mine so she can heal better than I can. So if you ever get a cut, come to me and I'll make it all better." Lyn'nice gave him a warm smile. "No, you don't have to get dressed if you don't mind getting dirty. That was just what I was asking. So if you're okay working like that then fine, let's tend the garden. Maybe I can teach you something about plants in the process."

[Copper]

"I hope stay here long,"[/b] he answered pleasantly. He'd been rescued by Kavala and her friends and family, so the least he could do was stay and help as much as he could. How long specifically, he wasn't sure. Forever wasn't something he ever thought of. Tackling each day in turn was more his way of doing things. For good? Perhaps. If things fell into place that way then this would be a good home he knew. The idea of living out his life here wasn't unpleasant at all, but the thought sounded a little hasty. When Lyn explained her mark, he nodded in understanding. Copper remembered now, seeing Kavala's mark. They looked similar, but this Konti's was smaller and less intricate. It seemed that made it weaker, which surprisingly he understood. Many things here confused him, and it was being able to nod and smile instead of stare in confusion. "If cut, will find Lyn," he agreed gently. "Glad to learn plants. If teach, I listen. Much to learn here. More than Endrykas. Medicine and plants and magic." The Kelvic shook his head in wonderment. "You know magic too?" he asked casually as he followed where she led to a bed of many different kinds of flora. There were more colors and leaves than he could easily count. Instantly, he felt a little overwhelmed.