Timestamp: 14th of Spring, 516 AV
Boo had little trouble understanding the reverence afforded the okomo. Despite their massive frame and heavy bodies, thanks to their crystalline skeletons, there was an undoubted grace to their movement as they casually wandered about the Sharai Peak. Khana, head of okomo caretaking endeavors, had ensured Boo was well informed and aware of just how sacred the majestic beasts were. It was an important lesson for a newcomer to learn, and he was glad for it. His appreciation and the chance to work with them was unmeasured.
He was quite settled on the fact that he liked the Sharai Peak very much. It did not share the same hustle and bustle of the other peaks, instead opting for a more laid back atmosphere that rarely was challenged. Despite that outer visage of peace and tranquility, there was in fact a busy and well oiled system at work that ensured things on the peak ran smoothly. After all, being the agricultural center of Lhavit, providing the city with the lion's share of food and produce, as well as varying cuts of meat from the regular livestock, it also grew large quantities of tea, perhaps Lhavit's primary export. Indeed, the Sharai Peak was the beating heart of Lhavit, and those who worked or resided there would not have it any other way.
Admittedly though, Boo's work for now was a little more on the laid back side. Khara had promised that in time and with training, he would learn himself to ride the okomo and in turn be able to teach others. But such a respectable task was much later down the line. For now he was a handler, shepherd, or general caretaker. Something along those lines. His duties ranged from grooming the okomo with thick haired brushes, a strap on the back so that it could be worn as a glove, to cleaning up after them. It was not the most fanciful job shoveling giant goat crap, but it certainly made a fine fertilizer. Nothing went to waste on Sharai Peak.
As well as these basic duties, he also had the task of herding back any okomo who had chosen to wander off for the day, (though it should be noted that more often than not, they returned of their own accord), checking them over for any signs of injury or disease, and the even more tranquil duty of simply standing around watching them as they free grazed across the man made pastures. It might have seemed a boring and monotonous job for some, but Boo welcomed the quiet and peaceful surroundings that his work afforded him.
Then along came Chew Brown.
Boo humored himself with giving nicknames to some of the okomo, usually the ones that had some distinct feature so that he could recognize them again. 'Chew Brown' referenced one particular okomo in such an obvious way that most likely anyone when told, would roll their eyes in mild amusement. Firstly, this okomo had a certain exaggerated manner of chewing the grass and roots, its goat mouth moving in a circular motion but in a slow pace as though savoring every moment. Meanwhile, unlike the majority of okomo that were white or off-white, Chew Brown was...well...brown. More of an earthy beige color to be precise. But otherwise, he was brown. Chew's distinguishing feature was that one of his crystal horns was about two inches longer than the other, though both still stabbed upwards like a daunting pair of rapiers.
The real standout detail in all of this was that today, Chew Brown had elected to dress himself in a rather worn and sorry looking brown hat. It hung from the longer horn, as though someone had mistaken Chew for a coat stand, having then tossed their hat nonchalantly onto the unsuspecting beast before wandering off to who knows where. Stranger yet was that Chew seemed completely oblivious to the whole thing. Or better yet, as Boo mused to himself, maybe the beast knew full well of his new fashionable statement. He was to be the finest dressed okomo on all of the peak, the envy of the rest of the herd.
Boo shook his head in amusement, was about to approach Chew to rescue the hat, when the okomo seemed suddenly to recollect a particularly tasty patch of grass elsewhere, and jerked off at a run away from the human. Indeed, Boo could only stand there mystified, but no sooner had Chew made his exit that the man thought nothing more of it. Instead he continued to walk the perimeter of the current pasture he was watching over, noting the various handlers and other scattering of folk going about their day. There were farmers entering and exiting the many hot houses that had played host to Lhavit's all important crops over the winter season, while over there in another area a group of shinya were presently saddling their okomo mounts, each going about checking straps and harnesses under the watchful gaze of what appeared to be a stern looking captain.
Some people here were simply just out for a stroll, no doubt enjoying the peace and warmer weather, now that Spring seemed more enthusiastic about its role in Lhavit. Boo continued, his mind wandering to no place in particular as he continued to observe his surroundings. The day was still in its infancy, and he wondered what the rest of it might have in store before the night took charge to spin its own story.
Boo had little trouble understanding the reverence afforded the okomo. Despite their massive frame and heavy bodies, thanks to their crystalline skeletons, there was an undoubted grace to their movement as they casually wandered about the Sharai Peak. Khana, head of okomo caretaking endeavors, had ensured Boo was well informed and aware of just how sacred the majestic beasts were. It was an important lesson for a newcomer to learn, and he was glad for it. His appreciation and the chance to work with them was unmeasured.
He was quite settled on the fact that he liked the Sharai Peak very much. It did not share the same hustle and bustle of the other peaks, instead opting for a more laid back atmosphere that rarely was challenged. Despite that outer visage of peace and tranquility, there was in fact a busy and well oiled system at work that ensured things on the peak ran smoothly. After all, being the agricultural center of Lhavit, providing the city with the lion's share of food and produce, as well as varying cuts of meat from the regular livestock, it also grew large quantities of tea, perhaps Lhavit's primary export. Indeed, the Sharai Peak was the beating heart of Lhavit, and those who worked or resided there would not have it any other way.
Admittedly though, Boo's work for now was a little more on the laid back side. Khara had promised that in time and with training, he would learn himself to ride the okomo and in turn be able to teach others. But such a respectable task was much later down the line. For now he was a handler, shepherd, or general caretaker. Something along those lines. His duties ranged from grooming the okomo with thick haired brushes, a strap on the back so that it could be worn as a glove, to cleaning up after them. It was not the most fanciful job shoveling giant goat crap, but it certainly made a fine fertilizer. Nothing went to waste on Sharai Peak.
As well as these basic duties, he also had the task of herding back any okomo who had chosen to wander off for the day, (though it should be noted that more often than not, they returned of their own accord), checking them over for any signs of injury or disease, and the even more tranquil duty of simply standing around watching them as they free grazed across the man made pastures. It might have seemed a boring and monotonous job for some, but Boo welcomed the quiet and peaceful surroundings that his work afforded him.
Then along came Chew Brown.
Boo humored himself with giving nicknames to some of the okomo, usually the ones that had some distinct feature so that he could recognize them again. 'Chew Brown' referenced one particular okomo in such an obvious way that most likely anyone when told, would roll their eyes in mild amusement. Firstly, this okomo had a certain exaggerated manner of chewing the grass and roots, its goat mouth moving in a circular motion but in a slow pace as though savoring every moment. Meanwhile, unlike the majority of okomo that were white or off-white, Chew Brown was...well...brown. More of an earthy beige color to be precise. But otherwise, he was brown. Chew's distinguishing feature was that one of his crystal horns was about two inches longer than the other, though both still stabbed upwards like a daunting pair of rapiers.
The real standout detail in all of this was that today, Chew Brown had elected to dress himself in a rather worn and sorry looking brown hat. It hung from the longer horn, as though someone had mistaken Chew for a coat stand, having then tossed their hat nonchalantly onto the unsuspecting beast before wandering off to who knows where. Stranger yet was that Chew seemed completely oblivious to the whole thing. Or better yet, as Boo mused to himself, maybe the beast knew full well of his new fashionable statement. He was to be the finest dressed okomo on all of the peak, the envy of the rest of the herd.
Boo shook his head in amusement, was about to approach Chew to rescue the hat, when the okomo seemed suddenly to recollect a particularly tasty patch of grass elsewhere, and jerked off at a run away from the human. Indeed, Boo could only stand there mystified, but no sooner had Chew made his exit that the man thought nothing more of it. Instead he continued to walk the perimeter of the current pasture he was watching over, noting the various handlers and other scattering of folk going about their day. There were farmers entering and exiting the many hot houses that had played host to Lhavit's all important crops over the winter season, while over there in another area a group of shinya were presently saddling their okomo mounts, each going about checking straps and harnesses under the watchful gaze of what appeared to be a stern looking captain.
Some people here were simply just out for a stroll, no doubt enjoying the peace and warmer weather, now that Spring seemed more enthusiastic about its role in Lhavit. Boo continued, his mind wandering to no place in particular as he continued to observe his surroundings. The day was still in its infancy, and he wondered what the rest of it might have in store before the night took charge to spin its own story.
