The Hopper--all green, with lighter green swirls across its fur--dashed a bit away, then turned back, lingering. It sniffed, listening to Chaos-Two speak.
They were still a wild animal: their first instinct was to bolt, run, never look back. But the scent of food was captivating, so they simply... stayed: a safe distance away, but with rapid movements of head-bobbing and hopping and the working of their nose and whiskers that indicated they were sniffing that food.
The way to the heart, and all of that...
@V-Chaos-Two
Khavur listened, took it all in. "It seems to me that you succeeded at your own trial in your own way, as you tend to do." Khavur was yet again amazed at how Maximus always managed to survive in worlds that set the rules against them. They bent laws of this world like light around themself, so that they could pass through... all while still remaining themself. Being exposed to this method of survival, which worked despite hardship... it served as nutrition for the ideas incubating in Khavur's mind.
"I can carry you back, but your friend in progress is unlikely to stay... they will fear me if I appear. Alternatively, I could deliver the news to Master Vargas myself and fly back here to retrieve you."
@V-Chaos-Two
The lobbed banana sent the Wind Hopper dashing away in a blinding blur of green. And then it was back, a fraction of a second later, its incredible speed unharmed by its now-cured illness.
It set to work on the banana, but with that twitchy manner that wild rabbits have: ears working, eyes staring all around it, ready to bolt again should something go wrong. Right now, though, it seemed relatively accepting of Chaos-Two's presence--provided they didn't draw too close.
@V-Chaos-Two
This particular Wind Hopper, as it turned out, was gemless: no gemstone to sense with Gem Sense, no trickle of magic with Detect Magic--nothing. It remained at a safe distance, contentedly nibbling banana.
@V-Chaos-Two
The option Maximus went with was not any option Khavur had offered, but... the beast could feel the infatuation, the compassion, welling in Maximus's heart. It smiled to itself; Khavur wouldn't argue with that. 'This seems like a second trial for yourself Maximus.' Khavur knew next to nothing about herding wild Lessers, but it figured that, since they were fearsome predators and all that... it might prove difficult. 'I will tell Vargas, and I will try to make a pen... although I am not great with architecture.' There were multiple reasons for why Khavur had not chosen to help Maximus out with their garden and the refurbishing of the caves. Grace -- or rather the lack of it -- was one. 'Good luck. Rest well when you can.'
Quietly as it could, the beast stalked off, readied its wings, and... off to the races.
- exit -
@V-Chaos-Two
The lanky green rabbit rocked back on its haunches, and looked up, tongue lapping at the banana smeared in its whiskers. It regarded Chaos-Two steadily for a moment, ears flicking about--then began to wash its face, tiny paws passing over a twitching nose.
@V-Chaos-Two