Hangin' On, Hangin' On | OPEN

[steadypulse]

Who: 76 & whomever
Which: Open Log | May Catch-All
Where: The Wild Harvest, town markets, potentially the farmlands and the Wildlands
What: Wild Harvest work days, break times, general tasks, and a few not so general tasks; flower wolf play time, and dragon grooming.
Warnings: Will add as/if they come up in threads.

The Wild Harvest

Mornings mean BACON
[76 always made a point of coming in a bit early to get things started- even if there wasn't a stew or something that needed to be started early to get flavors in by lunch; those he tended to start the day before anyway. Was even easy to do when he held up in the room given to him to stay in by Kazuma.

That and he could get in quietly without opening doors, always put himself right in to the kitchen itself as shadows drifted away behind him.

Garnish and Spicy noodle dragons loitered a bit as if keeping him company wherever he walked, oneGarnish dragon in particular curled around his shoulders as he moved. The smell of syrup and bacon filled the air, along with coffee. Wafted through the doors of The Wild Harvest even as he walked out in to the joined garden to gather a few herbs and the like they'd need for the day.

Better to prep than not after all, right? Mindful of the garden snakes of course, but not paying mind to the few little leafs and the like that seemed to sprout back after fingertips brushed plants to pick what was needed.

Nor paying much mind to the trail of herbal plants and flowers that crept from the soil he touched.]

Wonder if I should bring up moving a small beehive around here. [Hummed to himself- be good for the plants and vegetables- Right?]

Afternoons
[When things weren't so busy within the Harvest? 76 actually pulled himself out of the kitchen and rather moved back towards the attached room near the garden that was also more glass that solid wall- hidden away from sight as anyone in the attached garden would just see a wall of glass jars filled with multicolored glittering honey. Arranged in such a way it nearly looked like some stained glassed mural of sorts, and kept the inside of 76's area from being seen in to.

Of course he left the door open so he could hear if he needed to come back, or be found easily enough for those that could find the entrance. Other shelves had plant pots on them, filled with various flowers and a few herbs and things. These he watered and took care of, because they too helped make something of a privacy wall, kept people from seeing him if he did decide to lay back in the hammock, or sit by the table on one of the couch-like benches by it to eat something himself.

He also crouched by a strange rose bush that by now had grown nearly taller than him, the odd rose-like flowers glowing as he cupped one in hand carefully.]

Hell, this thing is doing better than I expected here. A lot more blooms- and still budding? [He worked gloveless, the golden stems and thorns maneuvered around carefully, the slight blue tints to the otherwise still blackened skin of his hands glowing just a bit in turn. Brought out the various shades of blue in the flowers themselves.] Gotta remember to ask Yujin or Susato how the Blazings I gave them are doing.

[Of course this was mumbled to himself.

Easy to catch him simply relaxing in there some days, too. Just taking in the peaceful atmosphere, the relaxation of his own personal garden.]

Town Markets

Farmer's Market
Glad to hear things are going well. [Some idle chatter easy for the masked man as he passed over something bundled in leather to one of the farmers manning a stall while speaking to her wife, taking up the basket that had been neatly filled with jars of jams and a few pickled things. He had a habit of coming by, picking up what wasn't grown at the Wild Harvest here and there- and a few for more personal things when he went on his hunting runs.

Of course this was also partly where he learned his goings on of things outside of town. Those birds sounded-]

At least they're easy to pick out from the usual crows and the like, right? Don't scare off the same, though- I can swing by and see if I can help any.

[The Flock, huh? Better to make sure it's not some damned mix of noctaere and eraser at this point. already knew those were around after all-]

Flower Wolves
[The man who ran the dogsledding outpost was easy to talk to, and on this day 76 had a wolf pup tucked under an arm, against his chest, ruffling the fur between their ears as he spoke-]

Haven't come across anything like them on your runs out? [Well, that was fine-] Figured I'd ask, other wolves are one thing but you get why I ask, yeah. [So either the flower wolves were new or... kept more to themselves? Maybe they did hang out in the areas of those Ents underground after all. Still, he'd got what he could and walked off with a wave to the guy, the pup wagging that lavender blossom filled tail as they wiggled a bit.] Guess you and yours are better at hiding out than I am, huh Bud?

[The further he got away from the outpost- well, the rest of the pack joined up and followed. One with prickly pears growing on her, another with thistles and cactus needles, the largest covered in some sort of creeping ivy, and one that practically shed cherry blossoms. All followed him at his sides rather than directly behind. Ears pricked and sniffing as they moved-]

Come on, time to get some exercise either way.

[Flower wolves, huh- what'll this place have next? They were friendly at least, if not a bit cautious of those who milled about; prickly pear and cherry blossom were more curious, however. Sniffing and watching as Cherry bounced a little, still filled some with young wolf energy sending those pink blossoms floating about on any little breeze.]

Misc.

Dragon Fluff & Feathers
[There was a pleased twittering sort of rumble coming from one of the clearings near the residential district as a certain blue dragon stretched out wings wide, tail flicking and smoke curling from nostrils-]

Yeah, yeah, I'm getting there. You've got a lot of fluff caught up in some shedding scales I need to take care of before getting to your wings. [A good and gifted brush in hand, and a pile of shed scales and even feathers caught up in a burlap bag just at 76's boots, careful as he worked the dulled shedding skin and scale off, shining blue just underneath.]

Just keep still for me, would you? Didn't realize how much fluff you grew while it was cold here, and you'll feel better for it.

[Brushing out fur-like feathering, letting Blue preen a little herself as if to help keep her occupied.

Could probably get something done with those dragon scales- maybe ask around town later?]

[Wildcard! Either mix and match or bring your own prompts inspired by any of the above! Want something a bit more personalized? Just PM this account, or hit me up in the game's Discord.

I'm happy to plot something out- CR Meme toplevel for the month is here if that's easier, or if you want something with the Surprise Eggs mini-event thing, too.]

Comments

Flower wolves

[zephyrean]

[Law was a frequent customer at the dog sled outpost, stopping by several times a week. Sometimes it was to ride with the dogs, sometimes it was to help care for them. It was enough that his interest in dogs and wolves earned him being informed about 76's unusual find. not that Law expected he'd be able to find the guy or his flower wolves.

So when he does happen upon them by chance, just out and about getting exercise, he wastes no time in seizing the opportunity to flag him down.]

Hey! Wait up!

[steadypulse]

[His head tilted at the voice, steps slowing as the wolves moved what was behind him when 76 turned to better see who was calling. The white wolf covered in ivy moved to stand at his side as the black wolf covered in cherry blossoms fell to the other.

The pup kept tucked in an arm, the other two wolves were a little more directly behind his, but still well within view. Prickly pear's attention more of curious interest, and the one that was a little more barbed had their ears flicked back. Far more cautious and wary-]

Help you with something?

[An easier sort of 'what do you want' than anything else.]

[zephyrean]

[Law was experienced with animals, so he knew well enough to keep his distance when dealing with others. Don't approach suddenly or do anything to spook them.]

Not particularly, I guess. I just... heard about your pups over at the outpost and had to see 'em for myself.

[One might call him a wolf enthusiast, considering the wolf-shaped pauldron on his shoulder. You know, in that way that kid in your fourth grade class who was obsessed with wolves might be considered an "enthusiast".]

[steadypulse]

That right? [There was a touch of amusement easily missed, a hand moving down to ruffle the fur between the cherry blossom wolf's ears. The lavender pup perked up a bit, as only a young pup might.]

Just walk slowly and you can come closer- one of them is jumpier than the rest, but even he's alright. [Barb was quite the personality after all-]

Been going by to see if the guy who runs it might've come across any others on his runs with the dogs he keeps.

[So far not too much luck, but maybe they really did live in the cave systems? Or more hadn't appeared, hard to tell.

Still, felt more like they were connected with the flower dogs Eustace kept in some way with that.]

[zephyrean]

[Since he's been given permission to approach the wolves, he does as instructed, coming forward slowly.]

He sounded pretty confused when he told me about 'em. Guess he's never seen anything like 'em, huh? Neither have I, if I'm being honest.

[Once he's within range, he crouches down, low to the ground, and steadily holds out a hand.]

Any idea where they came from? This place has some weird animals, but they usually keep to themselves.

[steadypulse]

[It was the cherry blossom covered wolf that came forward first, alongside the prickly pear and blossom one that wasn't far behind. They were the two most curious and friendly ones after all; one just had to be careful of the few cactus needles with Blossom there. Both were sniffing- and not quite going for the hand.

More the entire arm and shoulder(s).]

There are the dogs covered in flowers, too but- well, guy named Eustace and I are trying to figure out if they're connected- dogs descended from wolves and all that. [Bud, the pup in his arms, was curious as well, but wasn't yet to wiggling for getting down. More interest in watching.

As if waiting for the two black wolves' judgement.]

Found 'em out in the Wildlands, around a cave, the pup here approached first and the rest followed. [Barb huffed and sat off to the side just behind 76's leg near the white wolf; Liv was more amused, remaining where she sat. This was fine- the white wolf seemed to be the oldest of the bunch, Barb and Blossom just after. Cherry and Bud were the youngest, even if the cherry blossom covered one was clearly older than the lavender pup by some months.]

You're right that the animals here tend t keep to themselves- I spend a lot of time out in the Wildlands and never seen any like these wolves out there. Some normal ones, but yeah.

[Cherry and Blossom were very.. very involved in their snuffling sniffing. At least Blossom was aware of her prickles while moving.]

[zephyrean]

[Law's ears perk up at the name drop. Eustace, huh. That's a name he recognizes, that guy he raced with back in Christmasland. So he's involved in this too, huh?

As the dogs sniff away at him, he keeps his movements slow and steady, carefully moving his arms to allow the dogs to sniff at different angles, but making sure not to move too fast and spook the pups, or worse yet, excite them. Excited puppies were such an unpredictable force, probably even moreso if they're wolves.]

They're awfully friendly. [All of the wolves in 76's possession seemed very tame from Law's observations.] You think that's on account of them being all flowery and stuff? Or at you just some super awesome dog trainer?

[steadypulse]

I noticed- and I wish I knew. They approached me, and have just been following me around as if they belonged to me. [He wasn't sure why other than- well?

76 finally moved so he was sitting down, the wolves that had stuck close moving to give him that space. Bit of skin between glove and jacket brushed grass and caused a slight spot of flowers in bloom to spring to life.

Which the Lavender pup immediately wiggled out of his arm to flop in to, happily.]

Someone I know here figures they might be attracted to the fact my dreamwalker form is very... wolf heavy in appearance. That and I seem to be able to grow plants like magic. It's a guess at best. [Didn't stop the large white wolf from leaning against his back, her head on his shoulder and just- looking terribly amused as only a wolf's expression could.]

[zephyrean]

Maybe you've just got a way with 'em.

[Law gives 76 an amused expression, as he shrugs a shoulder at him.]

I can relate, though. My friends were always giving me crap about how easily I could handle the animals on our farm. [Seeing that the pups don't seem to be scared of him, at least, Law makes his move. Slowly, he moves to scratch one of the pups behind the ear. If one of them or the older wolves acts defensively however, he'll immediately stop.]

Animals are just easier to understand than people are, y'know?

[steadypulse]

Funny you say that- I grew up on a farm, worked it and some others until I left. [Helping out neighboring farms and friends' places? Was just good business, and help strengthen up bonds for whenever one place was falling a bit on hard times. Also coordinated crop rotation a bit better, get a heads up if there was something killing off crops and the like.

That, and he did enjoy working with some of the animals even if his parents' own farm didn't work with them much.] Mind the prickles on Blossom there, she can't help them at times and getting stuck with them can sting a bit.

[Cherry and Blossom were very eager for scritchings and would lean in to it.]

They can definitely be, and a whole lot easier to please and meet the needs of. don't complain about things like how something might look.

[zephyrean]

[having hands that were rough and calloused from maybe more than a little too much training did have its advantages, and one of those advantages was not minding the prickles even when they did sting his fingers.]

Don't have to worry about reading between the lines with animals, or trying to figure out what they really think. Just keep 'em fed and safe, and they're happy.

[Law turns his attention to one of the pups now, Blossom.]

Specially you, you're just a good girl, aren't you?

[steadypulse]

[Blossom was at least no where near as literally prickly as Barb, and he was a bit more easy to startle which also meant there'd been some accidents with him. With time 76 was sure he'd relax some, but for now he didn't mind. Blossom was the easier of the two, friendlier and a touch calmer than the younger Cherry.

76 had a hand on Barb's head, him leaning against the man's side and at least no longer grumbling quite as much. Had worked a way under 76's arm all the same.

Bud the wolf pup was content on a leg after a moment of rolling in those newly bloomed flowers.]

Pretty much- and they definitely let you know if they're unhappy about something rater than hiding it. Might take a little figuring out exactly what here and there since they can't speak the same language, but that's about it. [76 was in for a surprise some time from now.

Blossom's tongue lolled out as tended to happen with even happy wolves.]

[zephyrean]

[Law's already in love with the young wolf pup, totally willing to take the pup for himself if he was the type to steal. But he's not, so he wouldn't dream of it. So he's contenting himself with lathering Blossom with well-deserved affection.]

I dunno... Haven't you ever looked in their eyes and somehow just understood exactly what they're saying, even though you can't speak their language?

[It's happened to him more times than he can count, at least.]

[steadypulse]

[Figured it was good to help get them used to people- more o if they were going to continue following him around. Couldn't always just nap away in his room connected to the Wild Harvest after all, and had to actually go through town to get there. Barb learning to relax around people- well, some of them learning to stick close rather than wander and get too in to a scent the caught.

Was going well enough.]

Honestly? Yeah. [Did that well enough with Blue, so he couldn't deny it.

Was the same with the flower wolves, that knowing look the white wolf carried about her as if there was something he still wasn't quite placing. A sort of patience he'd get it in time.

Bud got a little scritch before the pup practically crawled on to his boot with ow 76 sat cross-legged, gnawing at a lace.]

Gets better the more I know the animal of course, but... Yeah.