Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle landed his entire body quivering as he held the bag in his jaws. He held onto for dear life as if his very life depended on saving those stones. It may not have been his life but conscious just couldn’t deal with it . He had sacrificed three lives. He would find another way to help James.

Aristotle turned his head to look at the Collector as he spoke. ”I can’t do it. I’m sorry I can’t do it. DO what you must to me, but I can’t let you have these last two lives.” His voice was stern and regret was a very present tone in his voice. ”This was a mistake, a very big mistake.” Aristotle said and turned his head away once more. He growled defensively at the boom of the Collector’s voice.

”Yes I have.” He responded to the last question simply and held the bag tightly in his teeth after he spoke. The lion turned to walk past the Collector and back towards the exit of Canis. He just couldn’t live with himself. ”if you’ll excuse me. The lion excused himself through clenched teeth around the strap of the bag.

There was laughter--rocking laughter, not quite sinister but certainly veering off in that direction. The Collector examined his empty hand, and the hollow shells of the absorbed stones that he had left scattered on the ground below.

"Well, I would not be so hasty... Or are you in some rush to leave-?" For a moment, those red eyes stared at Aristotle; and then there was another flash of teeth: a grin. "As a matter of fact, this magic should be enough to... calm the sled, if not quite tame it. You may have to struggle to control it; but it should still be manageable... for a time."

A pause; a perked brow, and then: "If you are still interested, of course..? Otherwise, well-... All this magic will have been absorbed-" And his one palm opened, and he examined the shimmer lingering within--"-for nothing."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle paused in his steps as the Collector spoke. Why shouldn’t he leave? His business was done as far as he was concerned. He would take the last two gems and he would do as he was with Abraxas and the others. He would give them life and give them a family. He would never let anything happen to these souls as long as he lived.

He listened to the Collector explain that the gems sacrificed would be enough to calm the item. He was sure he could handle struggling against the item if he really had to. ”What am I to do with it after it decides it no longer wants me as a...thing?” He wondered if it would turn on him or those he loved and possibly injure them. He could handle himself getting hurt, but James, or Sun, or little Comet. He would never forgive himself if they were injured.

The lion sighed he would take it. He would not let those three lives be wasted. ”I… I suppose I will take it.” The lion admitted as his baby blue eyes landed on the stone dust at the Collectors hooves. He was the cause they were gone. ”Will I ever be able to completely tame it?” He asked not exactly expecting an answer to his question this time.

The Collector waved one hand, half-dismissively.

"The Wagon is a loyal beast. Friendly, a little shy... Without the additional magic to subdue it, it might just--run off, from time to time. But it usually comes back, if a little--sheepishly," he added, humor in his tone. As he spoke, the most ominous pitter-patter of little feet could suddenly be heard: like a pack of tiny apes drumming palms flat on the stone. The Collector kept speaking, disregarding the sound, as if it were expected.

"Now, whilst most wagons need to be drawn by a strong creature, this one is the strong creature. And for only half your bargain fulfilled-! Don't say I never show kindness," the Collector said, a grin audible in his tone.

Then it came: a large wagon or sled, some ten feet long, made of old, brown wood. Yet beneath it were dozens of humanoid legs, in slightly varied shapes, colors and sizes; and these propelled the questionable vehicle in a mad dash toward the two waiting.

It came to a skidding halt beside the Collector, slightly tilted as if to look at him, and he gestured toward it--then toward Aristotle. "Last Legs, meet your new master: Aristotle. A rather ruthless little lion, with a surprising streak of... mercy," he added, with another audible grin, as if 'mercy' were a terrible thing indeed. "Have fun, you two. Ta," and with a flash, the Collector was gone.

The many-legged sled was left turning to face Aristotle; it sidled up to him, the patter of its feet uncertain, the cant of the wooden back almost shy.

Identified Item!

Aristotle has received an identified item from The Collector!

3★ Last Legs A semi-sentient wagon travelling not on wheels, but on a number of living, moving legs. Last Legs is an obedient, but shy and flighty, wagon. It seems capable of feeling trust, fear, pain, affection, gratitude, and so forth. Last Legs is generally non-aggressive. It can be killed by any means that would destroy either a wagon or a Gembound. Each use of Last Legs must be rolled for after the wagon is loaded. A fail will require additional wrangling/roll attempts until a Barely Successful+ is rolled. A Critical Fail will result in the sled's temporary loss; it will flee, and may be recovered in a later thread. However, anything loaded onto Last Legs at the time of the Critical Fail will be permanently lost.

☆☆☆★★★ Last Legs A heavy wooden sled or wagon, carried by dozens of mismatched humanoid legs. It seems shy, capable of instinct and basic emotion, but is generally non-aggressive. Sometimes, it flees, losing everything it's carrying... somewhere. "It's got one foot in the door, one foot in the grave. You don't stand a chance, even toeing the line. But break a leg!..." ELEMENT: MAGIC LEVEL: 70 DURABILITY: 60 SPECIAL: (CURSED): Occasionally runs off and loses loaded items. MATERIAL: Wood, Flesh, Bone ATTACK: 3 ADDED: After loading, roll for each use of the wagon. It cannot be wrangled until Barely+ roll. A Crit Fail loses the wagon until a later thread, and permanently loses all contents. DEFENSE: 2 WEIGHT: 260 EQUIP: Wagon: pulled/drawn Currently owned by: Aristotle

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle watched the Collector give a dismissive wave. Well that was mildly rude. At least he felt mildly offended. The lion tilted his head as the Collector spoke of the item. It seemed it had a personality, and feelings the way he spoke of it. It would seem his reward would be more of a pet than an item. Honestly he was alright with that. If his reward was living then so be he would care for it as he did anyone else in his life. He would welcome it with open paws. ”It sounds like a truly interesting creature. Does it have a gem like a normal Gembound or is it not like us?” He asked purely out of curiosity. Rounded audits shifted catching what sounded like dozens of little Suns running across the stone floor. It was indeed a bit unnerving to hear but he pushed it away as the Collector seemed unphased.

The lion went back to listening as The Collector explained more about the item he was receiving. Aristotle held back the little growl as the Collector spoke of his own kindness. ”I would never.” The lion assured the Collector he would never besmirch the kindness he had shown though he had indeed broken their deal.

The lion turned his head as the sound grew louder, and his gaze fell upon the creature making its way towards them. He gazed at it with pure awe and curiosity in his eyes. He had never seen anything like it, yet here it was! The lion watched its approach with baited interest. It was truly unique; he had to admit that.

Aristotle stood and smiled warmly at the creature known as Last Legs. The lion ignored the Collector’s jab that mercy was such a bad thing. Instead he kept his attention on the creature Last Legs. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you Last Legs, I hope you and I can become family.” The lion offered his greeting to the creature with pure earnest feelings. He would welcome the creature just as he had everyone else. He would treat Last Legs just as he did his family. Feel free to tell me if I am being a bit overbearing won't you Last Legs? The Lion offered gently he wanted to know if he was being too much for the creature. He didn’t want to scare it off; he truly liked it though he had just met it.

Then the Collector was gone and The lion was left alone with the new creature. Welcome to the family Last Legs. Aristotle purr gently to the creature, his demeanor nothing but gentle and warm. ”Shall we go home Last Legs? I’m sure Sun and Comet will be thrilled to meet you.” Aristotle offered gently. He hoped that the creature wouldn’t frighten Comet, he knew that Sun would be curious and enthralled by the creature.

Finally Aristotle gave the wagon a gentle nudge and started off in the direction of Orion and home leading the wagon behind him, the soft patter of little feet assuring him that it followed.


EXIT ARISTOTLE & LAST LEGS